Posted on 11/04/2006 3:17:53 PM PST by Libloather
Menendez Seeks to Bury Image of a Shady Dealer
By Michael Powell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 3, 2006; Page A02
ATLANTIC CITY -- A balding labor chieftain explains why his hard-hats should vote for the plump candidate who stands here in a muddy construction site dressed in a white knit cotton shirt, a pinstriped suit, loafers and a perfectly knotted tie.
"Bobby Menendez is a fighter !" Billy Mullen bellows at his guys on this balmy autumnal day. "He's been in the gutter , he's rolled around down there his whole life . . ." The hard-hats do much appreciative thumping of hands and waving of fists.
**SNIP**
The notion that Menendez, 52, rolls in the gutter before lunch, that he is a political boss as expert in the manipulation of political IOUs and shivs as he is in the intricacies of trade policy, has trailed like a mutt after Menendez throughout his Senate campaign.
**SNIP**
Even if these charges prove true, it's not clear such behavior is illegal or disabling. In New Jersey the operating political philosophy is described as "pay to play," and the occasional indictment might be viewed as part of the life cycle of politics.
"We are a very, very nonjudgmental state," noted Clifford Zukin, a professor of public policy at Rutgers University. "Unless you are rich and can buy in from the outside, it takes a great deal of skill and toughness to rise up."
Still, the charges -- repeated in countless commercials -- take a cumulative effect. New Jersey has trended Democratic for years.
**SNIP**
"In the end of the day, have all the negative ads taken effect? It's hurt." Menendez favors a softly wounded tone. "I didn't expect this."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
That should help greatly - while in prison...
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), right, with former senator Bob Kerrey at an Orange, N.J., event, is running hard against Tom Kean Jr., son of the former governor. (By Mike Derer -- Associated Press)
IMHO, while New Jersey is a left-leaning, 'Rat-friendly state, Menendez is too sleazy for even jaded New Jersey voters.
They don't want to indict him just before the election. The prosecutor is running interference for the Dems.
Is this Menendez any relation to Lyle and Eric who killed their parents? They were all from New Jersey.
I wonder if the writer of the article or the speaker of these words have any idea just what a perfect example of irony this statement is.
I'm laughing my butt off at it.
L
It sounds like the MSM figures they will have plenty of time to cover the story of the disgraced Menendez AFTER the elections. He's getting the same "Sgt. Schultz" treatment that William Jefferson, DEMOCRAT, Louisiana is getting from their friends in the MSM. "I KNOW NOTHINK!"
He is well liked by NJ because his corruption is a reflection of the state
Pronounced - gutta.
I've gotta pass on that one. I once referred to New Jersey as "Jersey" on one of these threads and really got my @$$ flamed. It took a whole case of Bud Light for me to put out those flames. LOL!!!!!
He's so sure he'll get away with his dirty dealing he's out there campaigning with George Norcross, the notorious party boss heard on the Corzine tapes early last year.
It's JOISEY! as in OINK.
Kean had started to switch to a positive ad package about himself, last weekend. It didn't work, Kean did not do well in the polls this week, no shift to him. I notice starting yesterday, he has switched and resumed the negative ads.
NJ is 50th - dead last - in terms of federal program revenues it receives versus federal taxes paid. Maybe if they elected some decent representatives, that could change. Instead, their leaders are corzine, lautenberg and menendez.
Well - OK _ I'll take your word for it!
My take on the race is that Menendez is slightly ahead, but with a significant undecided vote. Such voters are anti-Bush, but also have a low regard for Jon Corzine and James McGreevey.
Is that what you're also seeing?
NJ is a sick state where a practicioner of PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTIONS would get more votes than Mother Theresa.
Me too. I think the gutter is a good place for him. Most people I know here in Jersey are sick of the crooked govt. We still cant get over the gay govenor and his nasty habits.
another a-hole....lib/dem criminal......he is a true piece of shi-ite....yet as always with the New Jersey voters...they are for the lib/dems......
and yes...I can comment with as much disdain as possible....I am so proud of my state's politics!!!!!!
Its freekin Jersey!
I agree with you, and I live here.
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