At Senator Menendez’s Trial, Stakes Are High for Democrats

New York Times ^ | August 17, 2017

[Robert357]

I guess not only do elections have consequences, but hopefully crimes even for Democrats will have consequences.

Lock him up.

[Alberta's Child]

I seem to remember something like that, but Republican Jeffrey Chiesa was appointed to replace Lautenberg for about 5 months until Booker was elected in the special election in October 2013. How did that relate to what your posted there?

[Alberta's Child]

Not exactly. It was Lautenberg, not Menendez, who replaced Torricelli on the ballot back in 2002. Lautenberg had previously retired in 2000-01, and was succeeded by Jon Corzine after the 2000 election. Menendez is in the Senate seat previously held by Corzine. Booker is in the seat previously held by Lautenberg after the Torricelli debacle, but that was not the seat held by Lautenberg for most of his Senate career.

[rawcatslyentist]

NJ makes La politicians look almost wholesome.

[nobamanomore]

By the first sentence, you can see that the NYT is more worried that he’ll be replaced by a Republican than whether Menendez is guilty of bribery!

[SeeSharp]

Even a bribery conviction would not automatically force Mr. Menendez from office, under the Senate rules. He would either have to voluntarily resign his seat, or two-thirds of his Senate colleagues — meaning 15 Democrats — would have to vote to expel him.

Anybody think this will happen?

[End Times Sentinel]

Los Angeles California.

[End Times Sentinel]

Wasn't that octogenarian Frank Lautenburg and Booker replaced Lautenburg when he died, or do I just have my democrat crooks mixed up?

[wiggen]

Felony is perhaps the highest qualification to be a politician in the country.

[ptsal]

It would be cold to have Christi appoint himself for the remainder of the term. That would really sting.

[ptsal]

It would be cold to have Christi appoint himself for the remainder of the term. That would really sting.

[arthurus]

Don’t these trials drag on for loooong times?

[pstwwl]

I didn’t know about the Chiesa appointment. Thanks for the info.

[Jacquerie]

Alcee Hastings.

[Alberta's Child]

I think you were partly right, though. As I remember, there were political ramifications to that decision related to the timing of it. If Chiesa had been appointed a couple of months later, he would have served until an election for that seat was held in November 2014. Because he was appointed in June instead of August, that meant Lautenberg's replacement would be elected in the special election in October 2013.

As I remember it, Gov. Christie said he didn't want to delay the appointment because he didn't want the U.S. Senate to be conducting business for two months with only one Senator from New Jersey in office.

[SMGFan]

Actually Christie had an August! primary & October! special election to avoid Nov 2013 turnout for Booker hurting his reelection numbers.

[SMGFan]

Christie leaves office January 16, 2018.

[ScottinVA]

You’re right.. it was Lautenberg. Thanks.