NY TIMES ON MENENDEZ: REID 'NEEDS TO REMOVE HIS GAVEL'

Big Journalism ^

[SMGFan]

The New York Times has called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to remove New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez from his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Under the editorial headline “Mr. Menendez’s Ethics Problem,” the newspaper said Menendez “was never a distinguished choice for chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the position he ascended to this month by virtue of seniority.”

“Concerns about that quality gap have sharply escalated amid new disclosures about Mr. Menendez’s use of his position to advance the financial interests of a friend and big donor,” the Times wrote. “Instead of trying to protect Mr. Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, needs to remove his gavel, at least pending credible resolution by the Senate Ethics Committee of the swirling accusations of misconduct.” The Times lists allegations against Menendez for helping out wealthy Democratic Party donor ophthalmologist Dr. Salomon Melgen, including a port deal in the Dominican Republic that has come under scrutiny, alleged Medicare issues, and Menendez’s ethics conundrum regarding flights to the Dominican Republican Melgen provided to him for free.

“The relationship between Mr. Menendez and Dr. Melgen was drawn into the spotlight following recent reports that Mr. Menendez had accepted two round-trip flights aboard Dr. Melgen’s jet for personal vacations in the Dominican Republic in 2010,” the Times wrote. “In January, Mr. Menendez sent Dr. Melgen a check for $58,500 to reimburse the cost of the flights, which he had failed to report as gifts at the time or reimburse, as required.”

[Navy Patriot]

Sounds like he knows the territory...

Yes, like most Democrats he is intimate with it.

[SMGFan]

For those who may not know, if Menendez leaves this year or next year there will be 2 US Senate races in NJ in November 2014.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

Reid is going to do a damn thing, because he knows he is probably dirtier than Menendez.

[WesternPacific]

...Menendez’s ethics conundrum regarding flights to the Dominican Republican Melgen provided to him for free.

What?

[Liz]

Menendez was tapped by Obama to be the voice of amnesty---now we know what to expect.

Menendez represents everything the Founders deplored as they struggled against foreign dominance in order to fashion a new govt----a govt of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Menendez's unmitigated contempt for US law and the people's freedoms, his blatant self-serving activities suggest a tyrannical "overlord" mentality----that govt authority and resources are to be subjugated---to serve only him and his chosen collaborators in their wonton greed for foreign riches and non-stop sex.

Self-serving Menendez is so wrapped up in his own greed he is blind--to the fact that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is there to protect US INTERESTS--not to advance the greed of one Senator and his foreign collaborators.

Menendez clearly expects the rest of us to shut up---to grin and bear it---as he walks all over the US and our Constitution.

[AuntB]

BTT

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SMGFan.

• One day after announcing on his radio show that he is "truly considering" running in 2014 for the U.S. Senate seat now held by New Jersey's Frank Lautenberg, Rivera amped up his message today in a television interview and a column on the Fox News Latino website... a moderate Republican who is fiscally conservative but also supports gay marriage and Roe v. Wade... [Geraldo Rivera declares himself a 'moderate Republican' as he eyes U.S. Senate run]
• ...by softening its edge on some volatile social issues and altering its image as the party always seemingly "eager to go to war... We do need to expand the party and grow the party and that does mean that we don't always all agree on every issue" ... the party needs to become more welcoming to individuals who disagree with basic Republican doctrine on emotional social issues such as gay marriage... "We're going to have to be a little hands off on some of these issues ... and get people into the party," Paul said. [Rand Paul: Time for GOP to soften war stance]

[SunkenCiv]

...two round-trip flights... for $58,500...

Yes, that's right, flights. No buffet, no hookers, not even a hotel stay, just flights. That's it. Flights. 58K.

[SunkenCiv]

Well put!

[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from 2/09/2013. A re-ping. Thanks SMGFan.

The New York Times has called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to remove New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez from his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.