Menendez’s Self-Serving Double Standard

Menendez calls for ‘system controls’ when JP Morgan makes a risky bet with its own money, but looks the other way when individuals and families lose their savings with MF Global

Middletown, May 15…When individuals and their families lost their savings with MF Global, Bob Menendez protected his ally Jon Corzine by steering the Senate Banking Committee’s investigation away from the CEO’s role in the collapse. Yet, when asked about JP Morgan’s loss resulting from a risky bet, Menendez called for ‘system controls.’  Menendez’s self-serving double standard of protecting his political allies- like Jon Corzine and the rest of the executive team- while calling for everyone else to play by the rules has got to stop.

“The collapse of MF Global and the risky bet placed by JP Morgan clearly demonstrate that regulators need to take a closer look at Wall Street practices and institute reforms to protect investors and the economy as a whole,” said Joe Kyrillos, who has been calling for Menendez to recuse himself from the banking committee’s investigation citing conflict of interest.

“People who took advantage of the lack of controls on Wall Street need to be held accountable. Menendez has again proved that he is not willing to put his personal ties aside to serve as an unbiased congressional investigator. The people of New Jersey deserve someone who is looking out for their best interests- not the best interests of past political cronies.”

Two Piscataway physicians, Drs. John and Alieta Eck, who provide charity medical care to the needy, had an investment account with MF Global that was completely wiped out as a result of the collapse. The Doctors Eck lost $200,000 and rightly demand answers from a thorough Senate investigation.

“The fact that Menendez failed to even mention the CEO Jon Corzine by name demonstrates that he is putting his personal relationship with the CEO ahead of the customers of MF global and the people of New Jersey. This requires a fair and comprehensive investigation, not a political whitewash,” said Dr. John Eck.

In an interview on MSNBC yesterday discussing the JP Morgan loss, Menendez said, “What I care about is not an individual, I care about a system. Having system controls to ensure that no matter who is at the head of a company, this can’t happen.”

It is clear Menendez doesn’t care about holding ‘individuals’ accountable. See no evil. Hear no evil. Time and again, he has proved unwilling to put his oversight role on the Senate Banking Committee above his self-serving double standard. The people of New Jersey can no longer afford to play second fiddle to Menendez’s political allies.

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Garden State Equality Claims They’re Close To Marriage Equality Overide

Could Gay Marriage Be An Issue In The U.S. Senate Race?

In an email to his membership this afternoon, Garden State Equality President Steven Goldstein claimed that the New Jersey State Legislature is close to overriding Governor Chris Christie’s veto of the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemptions Act:

This has already been the most productive year in our organization’s history.  We passed marriage equality through both houses of the legislature, and quickly followed that up with the passage and signing into law of a new school bullying bill.  In recent weeks, we’ve been laying the groundwork to achieve marriage equality through an override of Governor Christie’s veto.  Since the legislature voted to pass marriage equality in February, we’ve won over another couple of legislators to our side.   If you signed up to form an Override Club of your friends and neighbors in your legislative district to help us strategize and organize for marriage equality locally, we’ll be calling you soon.

Friends, we are closer to seeing marriage equality become law in New Jersey than we ever thought would be possible under a Governor opposed to marriage equality.  I swear to God, if someone would have told me a couple of years ago – when we all assumed we’d have to wait until another Governor to win – that we could be this unbelievably close this soon, frankly I’d have told them they were crazy.  Our momentum is stunning.  Our dream is in our grasp.  And we have you to thank.  You never stopped believing.  Together, we have never let up.

“It’s not happening,” said a GSE sympathiser who asked not to be identified, “Steve must be trying to gin up his troops or raise money.  An override is less likely now than it was in February.”

Read the rest of this entry »

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Victim of MF Global Fraud Joins Senator Kyrillos in Asking Menendez to Recuse Himself from MF Global Investigation

Family practitioners John and Alieta Eck lost $200,000 in non-investment MF Global account

Middletown, April 4… Today, Piscataway family practitioners, Drs. John and Alieta Eck, joined Senator Kyrillos in asking U.S. Senator Bob Menendez to recuse himself from the Senate Banking Committee’s investigation into the collapse of MF Global. The Doctors Eck had $200,000 in a non-investment account that was completely wiped out as a result of the company’s collapse. They have not received any repayment of their money from MF Global.

“My wife and I were devastated when money that we though was safe was taken from us with no explanation. We were counting on this money for our retirement, and now we many never see it again. We stand firmly with Senator Kyrillos in asking Bob Menendez to step aside from the MF Global investigation proceedings. The fact that Menendez failed to even mention the CEO Jon Corzine by name demonstrates that he is putting his personal relationship with Corzine ahead of the investors of MF global and the people of New Jersey. This requires a fair and comprehensive investigation, not a political whitewash.”

Yesterday, Senator Kyrillos, called on Menendez to recuse himself from the Senate Banking Committee investigation, citing a conflict of interest.

“Recent press accounts and Menendez’s own actions during investigatory hearings are making it seem as if he is trying to protect the man who appointed him to the Senate. As a Senate committee with direct oversight of the MF Global regulators, it is Menendez’s duty to put his personal ties aside, and get to the bottom of this. That is why he needs to recuse himself from further proceedings immediately.”

Last week during the hearing, Senator Menendez made it a point to steer the Committee’s investigation away from Corzine’s role in MF Global collapse: See no evil. Hear no evil.

Previously, the Star Ledger’s Auditor shed light on the Menendez duck: “Menendez [is] not keen to question Jon Corzine on MF Global scandal on Senate Banking committee.”

The column continued, saying Menendez doesn’t want to be “questioning the man who handed him his current job.”

WATCH VIDEO: Menendez makes it a point to steer the Committee’s investigation away from Corzine’s role in MF Global collapse: See no evil. Hear no evil.

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Bayshore Tea Party Group Announces Endorsements

The Bayshore Tea Party Group announced the following endorsements this afternoon:

GOP CD-6 primary:  Anna Little

GOP CD-7 primary: David Larsen

GOP U.S. Senate primary: Bader Qarmout

The announcement stated simply, “We are proud to announce our support of the above candidates and look forward to working with them in their efforts to represent us.”

Little, the former mayor of Highlands, a former Monmouth County Freeholder and the 2010 GOP nominee in CD-6, is facing off with Asbury Park businessman and triCityNews columnist Ernesto Cullari for the nomination to take on Congressman Frank Pallone in the sixth district which is comprised of coastal northern Monmouth County and much of Middlesex County.  Little received the Republican part endorsement from the Middlesex GOP.  Cullari received the Monmouth GOP endorsement.

Larsen is taking a second primary run at incumbent GOP Congressman Leonard Lance in the 7th district which includes all of Hunterdon County, parts of Morris, Somerset, Warren and Union Counties and Millburn Township in Essex County.  Lance received the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on May 2.

Qarmout is running against State Senator Joe Kyrillos for the nomination to unseat U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.

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Menendez on Corzine’s role in MF Global: See no evil. Hear no evil

Watch the Senate Banking Committee Hearing on MF Global Collapse. 

Middletown, May 2…The Senate Banking Committee held a hearing last week to investigate the collapse of MF Global Holdings, a major financial commodities brokerage firm. 

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Lautenberg, Menendez and Pallone visit Sandy Hook, vow to fight for lab

U. S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez, along with Congressman Frank Pallone held a press conference at Sandy Hook yesterday to let the public know about their efforts to keep the James J. Howard Marine Laboratory from being shuttered due to budget constraints at NOAA.

Let’s hope they are more successful than they were with Fort Monmouth.

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Kyrillos Raises $1.75 million

Middletown – April 12…  Today, New Jersey State Senator Joe Kyrillos’ campaign for U.S. Senate against Bob Menendez made public the results of its first filing with the Federal Election Commission.  

Putting Senator Kyrillos’ fundraising among the ranks of top tier incumbents and challengers alike for U.S. Senate seats around the country, the campaign revealed that it had raised over $1.75 million as of its first deadline on March 31st, 2012, from almost 2,000 individual donors – 90% of whom are New Jersey-based contributors.  The campaign reported $1.4 million cash on hand.

Kyrillos’ strong fundraising report comes on the same day the results of the most recent Quinnipiac University Poll were made public, showing Kyrillos closing in on Menendez – who is still only at 44% on the ballot.  Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute said, “Menendez’s numbers are lackluster, to say the least … This race could get interesting.’”   Incumbents polling under 45% are in significant danger and Menendez has been consistently under 45% in recent public polling.  This is Jon Corzine territory.

PolitickerNJ reports, “State Sen. Joe Kyrillos’ campaign for U.S. Senate has picked up steam over the past month with a new poll showing the Republican within 9 points of incumbent Democrat Bob Menendez.”

Senator Kyrillos said, “I am gratified and humbled not only by the amount we have raised for our effort thus far, but by the depth and breadth of support from my fellow New Jerseyans.  As I have traveled this great state and met with individual New Jersey taxpayers and families, the message couldn’t be clearer: we simply cannot afford more politics as usual.  Bob Menendez offers us only more of the same: more taxes, more spending and more job-killing regulation.  I have worked alongside Governor Christie and like-minded reformers to change New Jersey for the better and I am confident that this, our first, fundraising effort demonstrates that we will have the resources necessary to take this fight to our opponent and bring the same kind of change to Washington in November.” 

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Kyrillos closing the gap with Mendendez

The Quinnipiac poll released this morning has some encouraging news for State Senator Joe Kyrillos and his supporters as they campaign to unseat U.S. Senator Bob Menendez in November.

Menendez’s lead over Monmouth County’s favorite son is down to single digits, 44%-35%, with 18% undecided or not saying.   A February poll by Quinnipiac had the race at 49%-34% .

Menendez’s favorability and familiarity ratings remain anemic for an incumbent.  35% of voters have a favorable opinion of Menendez, 27% have an unfavorable view and 37% haven’t heard enough about him.  In February, 38% approved of Menendez, 24% didn’t and 36% didn’t know enough.  If this trend holds, Menendez is in trouble.

Kyrillos remains largely unknown, but the trends are in his favor.  In today’s poll 14% view Kyrillos favorably, 6% don’t and 79% don’t know enough about him.  In February 82% didn’t know enough about Kyrillos to form an opinion, 11% approved of him and 6% didn’t. 

Perhaps more encouraging for Kyrillos than the head to head numbers against Menendez are the poll results of the presidential campaign.

Quinnipiac says that Barack Obama leads Mitt Romney by 9 points in New Jersey, 49%-40%.   The presidential race in NJ tightens to 49%-42% if Governor Chris Christie is the VP nominee.

Obama won the popular vote in New Jersey by 15% in 2008.  NJ’s GOP leadership expects that he will take our electoral votes again.  However, they believe that if the race is within single digits, that Kyrillos can unseat Menendez.

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Front Page News?

The big story in yesterday’s Asbury Park Press was the political spat between southern Jersey lawmakers and U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg over the proposed Rutgers-Rowan merger.  Large photos of State Senate President Sweeney and Lautenberg covered most of the front page.

In case you haven’t been following, Governor Chris Christie has proposed reorganizing Rutgers, Rowan and the University of Medicine and Dentistry.  Rutgers-Camden would become part of Rowan. Rowan would get a medical school associated with George Norcross Univeristy Cooper University Hospital.  Robert Wood Johnson Hospital would become part of a medical school at Rutgers-New Brunswick, and it will be a while before there are more UMDNJ indictments.

MMM hasn’t been following it all that much.  Our young legal eagle friends at Save Jersey don’t like it because they think it will devalue their law degrees if they apply to a firm that doesn’t know the difference between Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-Newark.  And then there’s the two idiots who don’t like the deal…that former Navy SEAL that ran for Assembly who got into it with Christie at a Town Hall meeting and Lautenberg.

If not for the idiot SEAL and the idiot U. S. Senator nobody from New Jersey who isn’t directly affected by the merger would know about it, except for news junkies like us.

Lautenberg wrote to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan alleging the proposed merger is improper and copied U.S. Attorney General Eric “Fast and Furious” Holder and New Jersey’s U.S. Attorney Paul “New Jersey is not corrupt” Fishman, thereby implying that the merger is criminal. 

Having already used “idiot” and “numb-nuts” with great fanfare, Christie’s team dubbed Lautenberg’s letter as “outrageous,” “uninformed,” and “bizarre.”

None of that was front page newsworthy.  It took Norcross and Sweeney launching  Sweeney’s 2014 campaign for Launtenberg’s job to make the front page of the APP.

Wednesday morning Sweeney emailed a scathing open letter attacking Lautenberg for opposing the merger and for his failure as a U.S. Senator to bring home Washington money for New Jersey’s higher education institutions.  Several other south Jersey lawmakers, including two Republicans, signed with letter with Sweeney. Norcross later sent a statement calling Lautenberg a “great Senator for north Jersey” who has failed southern New Jersey to the same email list.

The Sweeney/Norcross statements are not really about the Rutger-Rowan merger.  The real message is that Lautenberg’s career is coming to an end.  That message has been confirmed by the silence of Democratic leaders who have staid out of this fight.  U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Assembly Speaker Sheilia Oliver, Democratic State Chairman John Wisniewski, and Newark Mayor Cory Booker have all been silent.  No one is backing up Lautenberg. 

The message to Lautenberg…prepare for retirement… just don’t quit and let Christie appoint your replacement.  The message to Democratic donors…don’t give to Lautenberg’s 2014 reelection campaign.

So, the point of the last 460 words is that The Asbury Park Press made the 2014 race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate front page news yesterday.  That wouldn’t be so bad if there were not a U.S. Senate election between two relatively unknown candidates, U.S. Senator Bob Mendendez and State Senator Joe Kyrillos this year.

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Kryillos to crash Menendez’s Twitter Town Hall

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is having a Twitter Town Hall meeting tomorrow to tweet about the state of oil and gas prices.  State Senator Joe Kyrillos, the presumptive GOP nominee challenging Menendez this fall is crashing the twarty and encouraging his supporters to do the same.

Calling the event The First Debate, Kyrillos will be joining the Twitter Town Hall to directly answer questions from @JoeKyrillos2012.

The twarty starts tomorrow, Wednesday March 28 at 3:30 pm. Twitter users can tweet their questions with the hashtag #AskMenendez.

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