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* Sen. Duckworth finally came around yesterday. Now it’s Durbin’s turn…
Leaders in New Jersey, including the Governor and my Senate colleague Cory Booker, have made it clear that Sen. Menendez can no longer serve. He should step down.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) September 27, 2023
Was that so difficult?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:24 am
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Finally. Way to lead Senator.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:29 am
If I could insert GIFs into comments on this site, it would be the one of Trump going “I’m just hearing about this now.”
(Rich, do not allow GIF embedding on your site, please.)
Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:29 am
I can only guess it is related to the 50/50 structure of the Senate. In order for Menendez to resign, plans have to already exist to replace him instantly, lest the minority party instantly become the majority.
I am only speculating, but in that context, I would suggest, yes, it is a difficult proposition.
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:30 am
Good.
Menendez may selfishly stay in office as part of his criminal defense strategy but it’s not Durbin’s or Duckworth’s political problem any more.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:31 am
===plans have to already exist to replace him instantly===
Stop making excuses for those people. The Democratic governor will be ready. This is a total slam dunk and they have zero excuses for dilly-dallying. They looked like accomplices.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:32 am
Yea I don’t think it’s going to take a long time for the Governor to pick a new Senator, given that the Governor’s wife wants the appointment.
Regardless, it’s a red herring. Menendez isn’t waiting for a critical mass of Senators to call for his resignation before stepping down. If Durbin was trying to buy time, all he bought was time looking ridiculous.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/26/tammy-murphy-potential-menendez-successor-senate-00118151
Comment by vern Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:40 am
Weak sauce for Durbin and the democrats. Do better or you are no better than the freedom caucus.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:47 am
===Stop making excuses===
Just speculating about the decision-making processes surrounding a most Senior member of a political party, who is serving as the Party Whip. One thing I have learned when serving in leadership roles is that you do not count your eggs until the chicken has laid them.
As to Menendez? Probably guilty, and needs to go in any case. I doubt that was in question for Durbin or Duckworth. The question seemed to me one of “when” to stand up. I do not see this as being an “accomplice” so much as partisanship played out at the national level.
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:49 am
And how many Republican senators have done so?
(Bueller … Bueller)
Zero is the correct answer. Sheesh
Comment by Phineas Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:51 am
Duckworth came around. Durbin finally came around - the 28th Senator to do so, according to MSMBC.
Meanwhile, the number of Republicans who have denounced Trump - indicated four times with 91 felony charges - and called for him to drop out of the presidential race remains at exactly zero.
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:58 am
Maybe the Governor of NJ will be quoted saying, “I’ve got this thing, and it’s f’ing golden. I’m just not giving it up for f’ing nothing.”
Comment by Strange Days Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 9:59 am
Leaders lead and milquetoasts milquetoast.
GOP senators have no time to weigh in…searching endlessly for their next conspiracy theory.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 10:03 am
so he waited for NJ to make the call. that actually sounds kinda right. there’s probably more. mistakes learned from Al Franken situation.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 10:12 am
=One thing I have learned when serving in leadership roles is that you do not count your eggs until the chicken has laid them.=
You also don’t squander your political capital defending indefensible conduct. This was nothing more than an unforced error by Duckworth and Durbin particularly considering who the Republican Presidential front runner is.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 10:19 am
Leaders in New Jersey, including the Governor and my Senate colleague Cory Booker, have made it clear that Sen. Menendez can no longer serve.
Wow Senator Durbin with some really strong language on why he is finally call for Menendez to step down. Profile in courage.
Stay strong Bob….!
Menendez being defiant is a huge win for the Republicans. If he went today the Governor would appoint an interim Senator who would most like be the incumbent for the 2024 election which would be a huge advantage.
Menendez staying in gives the republicans a chance to keep beating the corruption drum and make a strong case for their candidate.
Stay strong Bob…!
Comment by Disappointed Suburban Female Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 10:27 am
- Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 10:12 am:
What mistake? Not standing by a sexual harasser? That was a mistake? Or turning over that Senate seat to the GOP? Oh wait, that never happened and Sen. Tina Smith has served ethically and even won election!
Comment by Google Is Your Friend Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 10:37 am
=Menendez staying in gives the republicans a chance to keep beating the corruption drum and make a strong case for their candidate.=
But they aren’t. Not a single GOP Senator is calling for Menendez to resign. And that also should be a no-brainer. But something or someone is keeping that from happening. I wonder what it could possibly be?
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 10:43 am
=== Stop making excuses for those people. The Democratic governor will be ready. This is a total slam dunk and they have zero excuses for dilly-dallying. They looked like accomplices. ===
Agreed Democratic NJ Governor Phil Murphy is ready. NJ U.S. Senate vacancies are initially filled by the governor but a special election that does not have to be concurrent with the next general election would take place with primaries & generals dates set by the governor IF Menendez resigns.
Senator Menendez remains defiant, and he has $8 million in his FEC account (thru June 30) should he choose to continue to seek reelection next year and doesn’t resign.
Congressman Andy Kim of NJ-03 has already announced plans to primary Senator Menendez in event the senior Senator from NJ does not do the honorable thing and resign plus seeks reelection next year.
While Governor Murphy may be shovel ready to appoint a replacement should Menendez resign, POLITICO reported yesterday that replacement could be Murphy’s wife, NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy, which may keep Senator Menendez from resigning, allow him to serve-out his term (provided he’s not convicted of anything first), and open Senate election in Dem-safe NJ next year without a separate special election.
The regular NJ U.S. Senate primary is scheduled for early June and corresponds with NJ’s presidential primary in 2024.
Short of a conviction, or defeat at the polls, it’s all up to Senator Menendez if the 69-year-old stays in the Senate.
Comment by John Lopez Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 11:04 am
More importantly, everyone who accepted campaign money from Menendez during the recent election cycles ought to return the dirty dollars.
Comment by Gravitas Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 11:08 am
I find the wording of his statement bothersome. It seems he says others that I respect think it should happen, so I’ll agree with them. That is much different than saying this guy violates my moral compass.
Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 11:13 am
===ought to return the dirty dollars. ===
And finance his legal fund?
Dumb idea.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 11:15 am
Durbin did not act untill 22 other D Senators called for Menendez to resign. Real profiles in political courage from the Majority Whip.
https://www.abc27.com/hill-politics/durbin-no-2-ranking-senate-democrat-calls-for-menendez-to-resign/
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 11:17 am
While I appreciate- John Lopez - giving I guess an unneeded background, the point of this exercise is that Durbin has no excuse, be it “New Jersey”, politics, Senate numbers…
The man and his spouse allegedly took financial gain to help shape American foreign policy in the senate for a foreign power’s benefit. That’s it. That’s why. That’s the ball game.
Love of Pete, and if you wonder why I’m seemingly obsessed with “Patriots or Traitors”, how is this not an easy choice for anyone, including Durbin.
“/End Rant”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 11:18 am
===return the dirty dollars===
Donate to a charity, wait till a Republican decides to condemn Menendez.
I mean…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 11:20 am
Glad to see Durbin got his backbone back from the cleaners. I hope he keeps it. I guess the great Profile In Courage award will take a pass this year
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Sep 27, 23 @ 11:59 am