Politico: Christie's last big move could be filling Menendez's seat

[SATW]

We are under the assumption that Menendez gets convicted. That's an unwise assumption.

Unlike people from his own party, I'm sticking with Fighting Bob til the very end.

Why you want to stick with Bob?

Senator Menendez has been a refreshing and strong voice for a strong national defense. He is one of the few Senate Democrats I trust to lead on foreign affairs and national security issues.

He has really stepped up to the plate after Joe Lieberman retired in 2012. The current voice of Scoop Jackson Liberalism.

Sen. Menendez has been a strong supporter of American allies, such as Israel, and has been a voice of moral clarity for the people of Cuba and Venezuela by joining them in vehemently opposing their abusive governments.

I almost always back hawkish democrats.

For example, I am a lifelong supporter of Chuck Schumer, Joe Lieberman and Ben Cardin. I also support people like Albio Sires, Josh Gottheimer, Eliot Engel, Ted Deutsch, Grace Napoiltano and others in the House who share a similar worldview on foreign affairs.

[JoshPA]

Any other republicans hate christie

[BudgieForce]

Theres also the real possibility Menendez wins his case. Nothing has stuck to him so far.

[JoshPA]

Christie's appointee might even have a harder time than Guadagno - the stench of Christie is a kiss of death.

Christie existing is a kiss of death to her.

[JoshPA]

Okay. If this happens, that appointee isn't gonna win the election.

Even if it a democrat.

[JoshPA]

I hope Chris appoints himself! He deserves it. Hopefully they can get an extra wide chair made for him so he doesn't break the antique furniture.

 no are you crazy we lose the ing senate.

[JoshPA]

Honestly we should be blaming Menendez for this, not Christie. My hope is that the trial drags out and he doesn't leave 'til January, when Murphy can appoint some random Democrat to fill the seat.

But even if a Republican gets appointed, there is simply no way they win a full term in Nov. 2018. That's simply not possible in this political climate

Unless they murder Christie on live tv.

[Obama-Biden Democrat]

Imagine if this results in the 50th vote for TrumpCare.

Would Senator Christie put a Kristy Kreme subsidy into the bill?

[_]

If this actually happens....

[Co-Chair Bagel23]

We are under the assumption that Menendez gets convicted. That's an unwise assumption.

Unlike people from his own party, I'm sticking with Fighting Bob til the very end.

Why you want to stick with Bob?

Senator Menendez has been a refreshing and strong voice for a strong national defense. He is one of the few Senate Democrats I trust to lead on foreign affairs and national security issues.

He has really stepped up to the plate after Joe Lieberman retired in 2012. The current voice of Scoop Jackson Liberalism.

Sen. Menendez has been a strong supporter of American allies, such as Israel, and has been a voice of moral clarity for the people of Cuba and Venezuela by joining them in vehemently opposing their abusive governments.

I almost always back hawkish democrats.

For example, I am a lifelong supporter of Chuck Schumer, Joe Lieberman and Ben Cardin. I also support people like Albio Sires, Josh Gottheimer, Eliot Engel, Ted Deutsch, Grace Napoiltano and others in the House who share a similar worldview on foreign affairs.

So why not Hillary? She's not the most hawkish, but she definitely still is, especially compared to Drumpft,

[henster]

Still need 2/3rd's to expel which I can't see them getting, Menendez/Dems can say we're waiting for appeals to stall and have him step down in Jan.

[Coolface Sock #42069]

If Menendez is actually convicted, I can't imagine his own party standing behind him. The Republican attack ads would write themselves. I also remember Harry Reid's absolute refusal to seat Sen. Robert Burris in 2009 after he was appointed by disgraced then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was removed from office shortly thereafter and is currently rotting in prison. And nobody is more of a partisan hack than Harry Reid. Burris did get seated, but only after a lengthy Senate rules challenge forced Reid's hand.

[Devils30]

If he's convicted it will be November or December. The Dems will just stall the expulsion vote until Murphy takes office. The GOP is not getting this seat.

[Vega]

I doubt he'll actually be convicted. He's rather Teflon.

[Badger]

If he's convicted it will be November or December. The Dems will just stall the expulsion vote until Murphy takes office. The GOP is not getting this seat.

Could they do so in the minority? Are they ready to go out on a limb and filibuster? I guess it could be readily construed as not pro Menendez but simply giving the next chief executive the opportunity to choose, the same way the Republican stuck it to Obama over scalia's seat

[windjammer]

If he's convicted it will be November or December. The Dems will just stall the expulsion vote until Murphy takes office. The GOP is not getting this seat.

Could they do so in the minority? Are they ready to go out on a limb and filibuster? I guess it could be readily construed as not pro Menendez but simply giving the next chief executive the opportunity to choose, the same way the Republican stuck it to Obama over scalia's seat

Well if the elections have been held they will definitely wait.

And I suppose Menendez could appeal this guilty verdict?

[Suburbia]

If Menendez is convicted/expelled/resigns in November-December, Christie will choose: Jon Bramnick or Joe Kyrillos.

If Menendez is convicted/expelled/resigns by January-February, Murphy will choose: Steve Fulop, Donald Norcross, or Loretta Weinberg.

I like Weinberg. She's feisty and tough. I would like State Senator Nia Gill, an African-American representing the East Orange-Montclair area.

[TheLeftwardTide]

John Wisniewski for US Senate

it's not going to happen but I can dream

[The Other Castro]

There is no chance that Christie will get to appoint someone to this seat. Even if Menendez is convicted, Democrats aren't going to give Republicans a free seat that could be the difference in repealing Obamacare.

[Gass3268]

If Menendez is actually convicted, I can't imagine his own party standing behind him. The Republican attack ads would write themselves. I also remember Harry Reid's absolute refusal to seat Sen. Robert Burris in 2009 after he was appointed by disgraced then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was removed from office shortly thereafter and is currently rotting in prison. And nobody is more of a partisan hack than Harry Reid. Burris did get seated, but only after a lengthy Senate rules challenge forced Reid's hand.

They won't stand behind him, they just wait until Murphy can make the decision on the replacement.

[Pollster]

If he's convicted it will be November or December. The Dems will just stall the expulsion vote until Murphy takes office. The GOP is not getting this seat.

Could they do so in the minority? Are they ready to go out on a limb and filibuster? I guess it could be readily construed as not pro Menendez but simply giving the next chief executive the opportunity to choose, the same way the Republican stuck it to Obama over scalia's seat

"We believe the next Governor of New Jersey should decide Menendez's replacement, just as Republicans themselves decided that the next President should decide Scalia's replacement."

Menendez getting convicted is 50/50 imo, but if he does my guess is Murphy probably appoints Steve Fulop. I've long suspected that Fulop forgoing a run for the governorship happened because Murphy promised him this seat if it became vacant.

[SteveRogers]

If he's convicted it will be November or December. The Dems will just stall the expulsion vote until Murphy takes office. The GOP is not getting this seat.

Could they do so in the minority? Are they ready to go out on a limb and filibuster? I guess it could be readily construed as not pro Menendez but simply giving the next chief executive the opportunity to choose, the same way the Republican stuck it to Obama over scalia's seat

No fillibuster needed. Expulsion requires a 2/3 vote in the Senate.

[BudgieForce]

Let me reassure nervous democrats. Menendez is not going anywhere. Menendez will probably get charged with a felony for his failure to disclose gifts. That being said, there will be an appeal and there isnt anywhere near enough votes for expulsion. Even with every single vulnerable dem senator and Warren/Sanders voting for expulsion, there wont be enough votes. Lets also remember the last senator to actually be expelled was during the civil war. Worst comes to worst, he resigns in January when Murphy takes over, but there is not a snowballs chance in hell Christie is appointing anyone.

[Suburbia]

As a New Jerseyan voter, I don't mind Torricelli coming back. Yes, he may be shady, but he is a master orator and knows how to play hardball. He is center left, he has some centrist ideals.

I'd vote for Torricelli, he does not seem as shady as Menendez or the Norcross brothers, or Rob Andrews.


Murphy could appoint a caretaker Senator, like Deval Patrick did in 2009 after Ted Kennedy died, he appointed Paul Kirk, who didn't run for the MA 2010 special election.

Would he pick Jim Florio, former governor?

[International Brotherhood of Bernard]

As a New Jerseyan voter, I don't mind Torricelli coming back. Yes, he may be shady, but he is a master orator and knows how to play hardball. He is center left, he has some centrist ideals.

I'd vote for Torricelli, he does not seem as shady as Menendez or the Norcross brothers, or Rob Andrews.


Murphy could appoint a caretaker Senator, like Deval Patrick did in 2009 after Ted Kennedy died, he appointed Paul Kirk, who didn't run for the MA 2010 special election.

Would he pick Jim Florio, former governor?

I would imagine the very last thing he wants to invoke as he becomes the new Democratic Governor of New Jersey is the memory of Jim Florio. If he wanted a caretaker I'd think he go with someone like Rush Holt