A scandal? Involving New Jersey Democrats? No!

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

A pretty big story in today's New York Times.  We'll see how big this gets—Frank Pallone's district is D+8 and Rothman's is D+10.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/health/policy/25knee.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=rothman&st=cse

F.D.A. Reveals It Fell to a Push by Lawmakers

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that four New Jersey congressmen and its own former commissioner unduly influenced the process that led to its decision last year to approve a patch for injured knees, an approval it is now revisiting.

The agency’s scientific reviewers repeatedly and unanimously over many years decided that the device, known as Menaflex and manufactured by ReGen Biologics Inc., was unsafe because the device often failed, forcing patients to get another operation.

But after receiving what an F.D.A. report described as “extreme,” “unusual” and persistent pressure from four Democrats from New Jersey — Senators Robert Menendez and Frank R. Lautenberg and Representatives Frank Pallone Jr. and Steven R. Rothman — agency managers overruled the scientists and approved the device for sale in December.

All four legislators made their inquiries within a few months of receiving significant campaign contributions from ReGen, which is based in New Jersey, but all said they had acted appropriately and were not influenced by the money. Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, the former drug agency’s commissioner, said he had acted properly.

[Verily]

Pallone and Rothman are both way too safe to be offed by a scandal like this. I bet Michael Wildes is chomping at the bit for Rothman to resign, though. Nasty piece of work he is, be a much more corrupt congressman than Rothman.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Pallone and Rothman are both way too safe to be offed by a scandal like this. I bet Michael Wildes is chomping at the bit for Rothman to resign, though. Nasty piece of work he is, be a much more corrupt congressman than Rothman.

It certainly helps kneecap Pallone's clear statewide ambitions and keeps him from sticking his neck out for Corzine, which has been all he's been up to for the last year.

And I think we're totally agreed on Wildes.  The amount of pure concentrated ambition scares me in the hands of any politician.

[DownWithTheLeft]

If Steve Rothman lost I would not care if no other Republicans won

I'm also amazed my district is only D+10

[DownWithTheLeft]

Could Rothman get any legitimate challengers?  Who is that popular in the district?  Kathy Donovan as usual is the first person that comes to mind, although she lost this district before (I believe when it was more Republican)

Other than that there aren't any incredibly popular mayors in the area outside of possibly Cassella who certainly doesn't have name recognition.  I could see Diorio giving it a shot if he wins the assembly race this year or possibly even more likely Pio Costa although I'm not sure he lives in the district.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Could Rothman get any legitimate challengers?  Who is that popular in the district?  Kathy Donovan as usual is the first person that comes to mind, although she lost this district before (I believe when it was more Republican)

Other than that there aren't any incredibly popular mayors in the area outside of possibly Cassella who certainly doesn't have name recognition.  I could see Diorio giving it a shot if he wins the assembly race this year or possibly even more likely Pio Costa although I'm not sure he lives in the district.

Rothman, no.  Pallone's seat is more intriguing, since it's the home of State Sen. Jennifer Beck and the location of a surprising GOP surge so far as Chris Christie's numbers are concerned.

[Speed of Sound]

Thats actually really scary. It stough to think that the FDA may not always be trustable. I mean there are alot of people, including me, that put alot of faith in the FDA's decisions, especially since I take serious mind altering medication just recently approved by them. Thats a damn shame.....

P.S. *snicker* New Jersey....^__^

[Lincoln Republican]

And these  four clowns are pushing for a national health care plan?

[Bo]

Corruption from both parties needs to be eliminated!!!!!!!!! This is despicable.

[Purple State]

Wow, unbelievable. Not in the sense that I couldn't imagine something like this happening, but that these four had the gall to so blatantly accept a bribe.

There needs to be a major ethics crackdown on both parties.