Archives for September 26, 2023 at 6:57 am EDT

Playbook: “No relationship has pitted Booker’s loyalty against his politics like his friendship with Bob Menendez. Despite rising to prominence as an enemy of Jersey machine politics, Booker was the face of Team Menendez as soon as the latter was indicted on corruption charges in 2015. When Menendez’s trial ended in a hung jury in 2017, it seemed to vindicate the decision to stick by him.”

“The largest swarms of reporters today will be buzzing around Booker for a good reason. Menendez might stick around no matter what Booker says, but if Booker calls for Menenedez’s resignation it will make it safer and easier for every other Democrat who has remained mum to do the same. On the other hand, a supportive statement from Booker will be worth its weight in gold.”

“As Phil Murphy has skillfully navigated New Jersey Democrats to separate themselves from this debacle, the Senate caucus needs to do the same. Otherwise you’re going to get candidates in competitive states like Montana and West Virginia having to answer questions about Menendez and whether he represents a problem in the party.”

— Former Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), quoted by Politico, urging Democrats to push Sen. Bob Menendez to resign.