Editorial: U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews needs to resign now

Gloucester County Times Editorial Board ^ | September 16, 2012

[SMGFan]

Enough is enough.

Last week, a Washington watchdog group named Andrews, the 11-term congressman from New Jersey’s 1st District, as one of the 12 “most corrupt” members of Congress.

In its annual report on ethical challenges among members of the House and Senate, the non-partisan Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) ranked Andrews, a Democrat, near the bottom of all 535 senators and House members. The CREW listing is just a reminder of how embattled Andrews has become. The Camden County politician is already the subject of a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission over questionable spending of campaign funds, as well as a separate investigation by the House Committee on Ethics. His case was referred to the House committee by the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics, an advisory board which found “substantial reason to believe” he violated both federal law and House rules. Although Andrews has not been found to have committed a violation, the committee will study the congressional allegations, while the FEC pursues its own inquiry. Such high-profile investigations will not only absorb much of Andrews’ time and energy for the remainder of this session but, even in the unlikely event that he should be completely exonerated, irreparably destroy his effectiveness. Andrews has made one dumb move after another, even if the actions skirt the edge of legality. He used tens of thousands of dollars in campaign funds for such expenses as a lavish trip to Scotland for his entire family (to attend the wedding of a potential supporter, he said), another family trip to California (to promote his daughter’s acting career, critics said), contributions to theaters that cast the daughter in shows, a graduation party for another daughter, etc.

[txrefugee]

NJ voters really hit the bottom of the sludge barrel, sending this crook to D.C. to represent them for 22 years. I guess the corrupt voters there must be represented, but the stench is overwhelming.

[pepsi_junkie]

I used to live in Andrews’ district and it was frustrating because he’s congressman for life there, barely runs and gets reelected automatically (so it makes sense he spends all his campaign money on his own personal stuff). And Andrews did absolutely nothing for the people of New Jersey, just votes standard dem party line and brings home nothing. I moved to former Eagle player Jon Runyan’s district and have been pleasantly surprised at his level of activity. Looking up recent news and he’s pushing to resolve sequestration, supporting local businesses that employee thousands, creating a veterans committee to advise him. A similar search for Rob Andrews reveals that he’s doing absolutely nothing, as usual. He won’t resign unless he’s indicted (because that’s all you need to do if your a democrat politician who breaks the law, resign and that’s punishment enough; just ask Bob Toricelli and Elliot Spitzer if you need proof of that).