Posted on 08/07/2018 5:05:59 AM PDT by SMGFan
Senator Robert Menendez’s corruption trial had barely ended at the federal courthouse in Newark, but his team was already feverishly working the phones. Within 24 hours, nearly every major Democratic public official in New Jersey — from the newly elected governor to influential state legislators to powerful county chairs — had pledged their endorsement.
Mr. Menendez’s ability to quickly unite fellow Democrats behind him so soon after his trial concluded in a hung jury and even before prosecutors dropped the case seemed to assure a relatively smooth glide to re-election in an increasingly blue state, which had just elected a Democratic governor by 13 points.
But six months later, the road has become unexpectedly bumpy.
Facing a deep-pocketed Republican challenger, a blitz of negative ads and lingering concerns over a lackluster performance in an uncontested primary, Mr. Menendez’s race has started to concern some Democrats. After weathering a criminal indictment and a harsh ethics rebuke from his Senate peers, Mr. Menendez may find himself in a tough enough re-election fight that will force the party to devote money and energy needed in other races critical to the party’s quest to retake Congress.
In theory, Mr. Menendez, 64, should win easily: Registered Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by nearly 900,000; President Trump remains deeply unpopular; contested congressional races are energizing Democrats; and he has the backing of a Democratic machine that still has enough clout to deliver victory.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
One of the most corrupt states in the Union with the highest property and income taxes in the country, but voters step up and vote for more of the same each election. Kinda tough to feel sorry for them.
Menendez doesn’t have the backing of the Democratic Machine, he IS the machine. The dude is a Boss, he’s the Hudson county Boss.
The problem with NJ is that the bottom feeders, government workers out number suburban and rural voters.
If the bottom feeders stay home, this race could be won.
This should be interesting, Democrat Senators, Menendez, Whitehouse, Stabenow, Kaine, Nelson, Baldwin, Manchin, Donnelly, Heikamp, and many others in trouble for re-election. Dems could lose 6-12 Senate seats come November Mid-Term elections.
Today vote for Republicans Troy Balderson (Ohio Special Election) & John James (Senate, Michigan Republican Primary election))
Taking a surprise win in NJ would be nice, but I wouldn’t hang my hat on NJ not voting for a known crook, especially one with a D by its name.
“There has been no recent polling on the race, so it is hard to tell whether Mr. Hugin is gaining any traction among voters.”
FAKE NEWS. The poll cited below (Gravis), was a month ago, pretty recent, considering that there hasn’t been any significant developments since.
The poll has Melendez up by all of TWO POINTS - which is why the NY Times chose to ignore it. Being 2 points, it is now a TOSS UP...in the margin of error.
OBVIOUS pick-up opportunity, something the NY Times, of course, doesn’t want to discuss.
Here we go again. NJ is in play until the votes are tallied and the GOP gets smoked again.
This is one race the GOP might prefer not to win. It will be harder for Congress to screw the losers in this state if we have one Republican senator.
“...and even before prosecutors dropped the case..”
Thanks Jeff...your soil is everywhere.
I’ll take anyone who will vote for Trump’s judges, and I’m assuming that’s the case here - for without the courts, nothing else will matter.
A bit more background here:
While one would think that the criminal trial of a US Senator facing decades in jail would be a national story, the media did a great job spiking it outside of New Jersey, but it was reported extensively in New Jersey, so people know how corrupt he is.
What was even more interesting was that he was prosecuted under Obama, who wasn’t known for ever prosecuting Democrats. Many of us believe that the prosecution was retribution for publicly opposing Obama’s love affair with Cuba’s government. I think the plan was to have him convicted and tossed out of the Senate, to be replaced with another Democrat, who would, of course, not have a problem holding the seat...and thus TEACHING A LESSON to all Democrats who might think of opposing Obama (or Hillary) in a public manner.
Two things apparently went wrong. (1) Menendez was NOT convicted (hung jury), and will not be convicted - no re-trial. So he was free to run again - tarnished and all, and probably would have been ok, except that (2) happened, which was that his opponent actually has some real cash and knows how to use it against Menendez.
Should be a fun race to watch...although it will be interesting to see if the Dems don’t try to replace him before November.
I suspect that Trump is not nearly so unpopular in Jersey as the NY Slimes seems to think he is.
We have to defend in the House, but now is the time to insure we keep the Senate for at least a decade.
Lucy and the Football.
This time, we’re going to kick that football to Kingdom Come!
Kaine and Stabenow.
Dems did well in VA last November, how so?
Isn’t Stabenow polling well? Trump narrowly won in MI.
Once we have a GOP Sen pick, I await Trump chastising her .
Governor Murphy is going to be a drag on all Democrats in New Jersey.
...in theory, Mr. Menendez, 64, should win easily...,
LoL! Explain that theory!
Maybe it’s time for Frank Lautenberg to step in to replace Menendez
After watching dozens of #walkaway videos, election day could be full of surprises.
Ha!
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