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Action Alert: Call Your Republican Congressman

by: huntsu

Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 07:27:12 AM EST

(If you contacted a Congressman on our list, please note it in the comments. You do not have to wait for the answer. - promoted by huntsu)

Congressman	Did You Call?
NJ2: Lobiondo
NJ3: Saxton
NJ4: Smith	No answer
NJ5: Garrett	No Answer
NJ7: Ferguson	No
NJ11: Frelinghuysen	No

Last week as the US Attorney scandal was bubbling up to the surface Blue Jersey noted [here and here] that the issue was not only with those who were fired for not bowing to political pressure, but to those who may have and thus kept their jobs. An example to be explored was New Jersey's Chris Christie, who issued and spoke publicly about a subpoena helpful to the Tom Kean Jr. campaign against Senator Bob Menendez last fall.

Looks like others are picking up the scent. Paul Krugman in today's NY Times:

Mr. Christie's actions might have been all aboveboard. But given what we've learned about the pressure placed on federal prosecutors to pursue dubious investigations of Democrats, Mr. Menendez's claims of persecution now seem quite plausible.
In fact, it's becoming clear that the politicization of the Justice Department was a key component of the Bush administration's attempt to create a permanent Republican lock on power. Bear in mind that if Mr. Menendez had lost, the G.O.P. would still control the Senate.

Then Krugman makes the point that generated today's Action Alert:

refused to soft-pedal investigations of corrupt Republicans.
In the last few days we've also learned that Republican members of Congress called prosecutors to pressure them on politically charged cases, even though doing so seems unethical and possibly illegal.

We know from former conservative attack dog David Brock that there was a coordinated attack on Democrats and progressives in the 1990s that continues to this day. We know from Matthew Continetti that Republican members of Congress participated, including the K Street campaign. In other words, this is not an isolated incident.

There are six Republicans representing New Jersey in Congress, and they need to be on the record whether they called Chris Christie about the investigation and subpoena issued last fall to the non-profit group that rented a house from Bob Menendez.

Please call or write yours (numbers after the jump) and ask, "Did you or your office contact Chris Christie with regard to the subpoenas issued last September on the North Hudson Community Action Corporation, or any investigation related to Senator Bob Menendez?"

Put the answers you get -- with the name of the person who gave you the answer -- in the comments below. If they all answer, "No" then we have them on the record. If they refuse to answer, then there may be fire.

huntsu :: Action Alert: Call Your Republican Congressman

NJ2: Frank Lobiondo

E-mail form
NJ Phone: (800)471-4450
DC Phone: (202)225-6572

NJ3: Jim Saxton

E-mail form - Put in Zip+4 of 08060 3316
NJ Phone: (856)428-0520 or (609)261-5800 or (732)914-2020
DC Phone: (202)225-4765

NJ4: Chris Smith

E-mail form You need a Zip+4
NJ Phone: (609)585-7878 or (732)350-2300
DC Phone: None on his website

NJ5: Scott Garrett

E-mail form
NJ Phone: (201)712-0330 or (973) 300-2000
DC Phone: (202)225-4465

NJ7: Mike Ferguson

E-mail form
NJ Phone:(908) 757-7835
DC Phone: (202) 225-5361

NJ11: Rodney Frelinghuysen

E-mail form
NJ Phone: (973) 984-0711
DC Phone: (202) 225-5034

Tags: Frank LoBiondo, Mike Ferguson, Bob Menendez, US Attorneys, Chris Christie, (All Tags)

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Action Alert: Call Your Republican Congressman | 14 comments

This is disingenuous... (0.00 / 0)

You people are smart enough to know Menendez isn't as pure as the driven snow and that the legislators are 100X worse. I certainly condemn when Republicans are hypocroitical (i.e. Newt having an affair when he was impeaching Clinton for it), but lets no go looking for trouble.

by: 9thDistrictObserver @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 11:31:19 AM CST

by: you @ soon

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What, then, do you call (0.00 / 0)

issuing a broad subpoena on all budget-related legislative documents? Sounds like a fishing expedition to me. Usually US Attorneys subpoena one corrupt lawmaker and perhaps a couple associates, not the whole legislature.

Notice that since the election, Chris Christie has pretty much left Bob Menendez alone. Now he is after Democrats who are up for re-election in 2007.

by: Scott Weingart @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 11:42:55 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Not looking for trouble ... (0.00 / 0)

Looking for information. No one said Menendez was "as pure as the driven snow" or even mentioned the legislature, so don't put words in my keyboard.

But there is certainly smoke here, even if there may turn out to be no fire. Republican US Attorneys were fired because their offices refused to move up or publicize investigations that hurt Dems or helped Reps.

Christie publicly filed a subpoena that was in concert with the Kean Jr.'s campaign message, and was quite public about it. This is, at least, the appearance of using the office to help a Rep and hurt a Dem.

At least one US Attorney was pressured by members of Congress to use his office for partisan gain.

Why is it disingenuous to ask our Congressmen to stand up and say that they did not do the same? All they have to do is say, "No, I did not" and -- if true -- they are exculpated.

by: huntsu @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 11:42:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

And now for Hyperbole Theater (0.00 / 0)

Cluck, Cluck, Cluck, Cluck.....

Great post Huntsu. Thanks.

Check out my 3 paragraph primer on Polywell Fusion.

by: FogerRox @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 11:35:49 AM CST

by: you @ soon

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Ferguson is as pure as the driven snow! (0.00 / 0)

But seriously...

I just called Ferguson's DC office and was told that the Congressman did not contact Chris Christie regarding the investigation of Senator Menendez.

by: Lacey Davenport @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 11:50:32 AM CST

by: you @ soon

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Does anyone know why (4.00 / 1)

Christie's subpoenas covered the McGreevey, Codey and Corzine administrations but stopped at Whitman and DiFrancesco? Are these Christmas tree items purely a Democratic practice?

by: Rufus T Firefly @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 12:03:12 PM CST

by: you @ soon

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possibly (0.00 / 0)

they would be beyond the statute of limitations.

I have to think of a witty signature about Frank LoBiondo

by: Hopeful @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 13:29:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Anonymous reader (0.00 / 0)

We got this one in the e-mail:

I just called Rodney Frelinghuysen's office, and Joan (who answered) said absolutely not (that their office "would never get involved with things like this", implying that they did not contact Chris Christie's office regarding the issue of subpoenas on Menendez).

Two down, four to go!

by: huntsu @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 15:43:40 PM CST

by: you @ soon

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This issue is important to the progressive movement. (0.00 / 0)

Integrity in criminal investigations is fundamental to faith in our government and elected officials. Corruption of the Bush WH on this issue has been demonstrated fairly well. A larger issue ripe for inquiry is political influence in New Jersey state investigations. Think any state officials ever made calls to the AG or County Prosecutors? Intereference, Republican or Democratic, in the criminal process should offend everyone. We should demand better and this is a good start.

by: madman026 @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 19:31:10 PM CST

by: you @ soon

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Then Make The Call! (0.00 / 0)

Get folks to make the calls to the legislators to find out if they did it. And if you want, call some Republican Party leaders, too!

by: huntsu @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 19:51:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Chris Smith (0.00 / 0)

I Called Chris Smith's local office earlier today. I had to leave a message with the receptionist. She's a very nice, but very old lady. She took my contact info very slow and deliberate, promised to get back to me.

I've been through this before. I'll get a letter by snail mail in 4-6 weeks, answering a question close to, but not quite what I asked, but easier to answer. I have nothing against Smith, but he's the typical politican, give whatever answer is convienient.

Hopefully this will be continued next week, by me and Blue Jersey. It's possible we may flush out some rats like they did in Arizona.

by: K9Brain @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 22:01:34 PM CST

by: you @ soon

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Woo Hoo! (0.00 / 0)

Ok, Maybe I'm a day late and a dollar short, but I haven't been on the 'puter for a while.

Blue Jersey is mentioned by Josh at TPM with regard to the above call a congressman (alas, not congresswoman or congressperson) campaign.

Keep those calls and posts coming (yeah, its the weekend). Keep Josh informed.

I guess Krugman didn't hurt either. Maybe he reads Blue Jersey.

by: SmartyJones @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 06:39:58 AM CST

by: you @ soon

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Scott Garrett is my Rep (0.00 / 0)

and my experience is similar to K9Brain's. His staff is clueless. The difference is that I will get a letter in a month that has nothing to do with my question. I sent in an email request, let's see if someone actually reads it.

by: cynicalgirl @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 07:09:13 AM CST

by: you @ soon

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They trick is to write "Attn: Grover Norquist" (4.00 / 1)

in the subject line.

by: Sidd Finch @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 11:33:28 AM CST

[ Parent ]