Menendez' Specter Party + Fundraiser?

by: Jay Lassiter

Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 12:38:06 PM EDT

Movers and Shakers talks with Menendez

by: Jason Springer

Wed Jun 03, 2009 at 01:22:34 PM EDT

As President Obama and Sen. Reid have said, we're very confident that Arlen Specter can do very well in the Democratic universe and do exceptionally well in the general election universe. Rep. Sestak has an excellent background and he has every right to consider the race. I think he's looking at it and making his own decisions. He's got a great position in the House, and he is developing seniority there, and he'll have to make those considerations at the end of the day.

I've been talking about creating some longer term institutional opportunities so that when we reach out to young professionals - the ones who were engaged by Obama - they aren't going to be the $30,400 giver, but they can be the $5,000 giver. And if you get enough $5,000 givers, you start adding up to some real money. More importantly, you get them engaged in the process, and then we turn them into givers to the party and also contributors back in state in terms of engagement with our candidates.

I applaud the president on the family reunification efforts as I have said. I disagree with some of the other provisions, particularly doing them unilaterally. For example, there's no place in the world that you send money to your family and it costs you more than 3 or 5 percent to do so. If you send money to family in Cuba, the regime takes 30 percent. So it seems to me that instead of unlimited remittances, we could have done something that allowed remittances to take place if [Cuba is] willing to lower the usurious rate charged to Cuban Americans. That's our disagreement - a little bit more of the how versus the what.

Overall, the Senator really seems to try and manage expectations for 2010 talking about where they stand and what they plan to do. The article is a good read.

DSCC raising money off Sotomayor opposition

by: Jason Springer

Thu May 28, 2009 at 03:45:00 PM EDT

Despite all of her qualifications, Republicans stand ready to obstruct. On Tuesday, de facto party spokesman Rush Limbaugh went so far as to accuse President Obama, and Judge Sotomayor, of racism. "Obama is the greatest living example of a reverse racist and now he's appointed one ... Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court," he said.

With statements like that from Limbaugh, we can expect to have a fight on our hands. You can be assured, however, that the DSCC, the branch of the Democratic Party solely dedicated to electing more Democrats to the Senate, is working hard every day to elect senators who will give President Obama's nominees a fair hearing. It's what America expects of us.

White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw.

Quote of the Day: We keep missing each other

by: Jason Springer

Wed May 27, 2009 at 11:15:00 AM EDT

Word out of Washington, D.C., is that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the political wiseguys from the Obama administration plan on "visiting with" Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Joe Sestak.

Their objective is clear: Get him off the stage and out of a primary race against incumbent (and now Democrat) Sen. Arlen Specter.

"I have received a call" from DSCC chairman Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Sestak said, "but we keep missing each other."

So the battle lines are drawn: Sestak is not inclined to be pushed out of the race, and Menendez's marching orders from the White House are to shove, not just push.

Menendez reacts to Israel not challenging Gillibrand in NY

by: Jason Springer

Mon May 18, 2009 at 12:30:00 PM EDT

"Steve Israel is a terrific Congressman, and the people of Long Island are lucky to have him as their fierce advocate in Washington. New Yorkers have one of the strongest Congressional delegations in the country and clearly Senator Gillibrand is making them proud as their new Senator. She's working around the clock, traveling the state, delivering for New York, and given her strong track record thus far, looks to be well-positioned for 2010. The DSCC looks forward to continuing working with her to make sure she well-prepared for her race."

But there are plenty of interesting tidbits in that statement from Menendez that pertains to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who benefited greatly from Israel deciding not to run yesterday. Sen. Menendez saying that Gillibrand is "well-positioned for 2010" and that the DSCC "looks forward to continuing working with her" shows that the DSCC might be hoping to avoid a primary.

"The president asked me to continue my leadership in Congress" and "not run for the U.S. Senate this year," the five-term Long Island congressman said in a written statement.

The field-clearing overture in New York is Obama's first known foray into the Democrats' candidate selection process for the 2010 congressional elections, and indicates that the White House is prepared to take an aggressive stand to protect the party's majorities in Congress.

Quote of the Day: Jumping ship after a shipwreck

by: Jason Springer

Mon May 04, 2009 at 05:06:34 PM EDT

"Clearly to me, Gov. Crist would be jumping ship after steering his state into a complete economic shipwreck," said U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey and chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. "We will use his thin and abysmal record as governor should he run for Senate."

Auditor wonders what Menendez knew of Specter and when

by: Jason Springer

Mon May 04, 2009 at 11:30:00 AM EDT

Asked about Specter during an April 13 Statehouse meeting with reporters, Menendez -- head of the Senate Democrats' campaign efforts for 2010 -- said he was watching Specter's upcoming re-election fight "very closely" but didn't pounce.

"Senator Specter has a problem already, obviously, in his own party," Menendez said then, noting that "a couple hundred thousand moderate Republicans" had switched their registration to Democrat in Pennsylvania last year.

"I do believe there is an opportunity in Pennsylvania to pick up a seat, and we are looking at a range of candidates and talking to a lot of candidates," Menendez said. "If we get a good candidate, I think there is a good opportunity."

"This one's a game-changer. Specter's move immediately improves the prospects of President Obama's bold change agenda," Menendez wrote in a chest-thumping e-mail blast to supporters.

The note featured an eerily familiar quote from Specter: "Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."

Asked whether Menendez knew in advance and was keeping his own counsel about Specter's stunning switch, his spokesman, Afshin Mohamadi, declined to comment.

Will you join Blue Jersey in signing this to Sen. Menendez?

by: Rosi Efthim

Thu Apr 30, 2009 at 02:00:11 PM EDT

Join us and sign the petition at www.StopFakeReform.com. You'll be joining dozens of progressive bloggers - including several of us -  and more than 2,500 signers, more every minute.

We're sending it to our Senator, Bob Menendez, because he is in the position to make great change, as Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), which he chairs. We call on him to follow the example set by our president.

President Barack Obama pledged not to accept PAC and lobbyist contributions. That puts him way ahead of the curve in Washington in terms of making efforts to avoid conflict-of-interest, or the appearance of conflict-of-interest, which is itself an issue for weary voters who fear the worst from the cozy relationship between, for example, corporate interests and those who make decisions every day who those corporate interests want to influence.

But Obama stands alone there. At least so far. DSCC and DCCC, the two campaign committees responsible for electing Democrats to the Senate and Congress respectively, still accept contributions from PACs and lobbyists.

Except on June 18, when the Dems have a star headliner coming in to help them rake in cash: Barack Obama. And for that one day, they're giving up PAC and lobbyist money.

We want that reform to last 365 days a year. Read the letter - here.

This is about not accepting donations from bailout recipients like AIG, and Enron. And it's a call to move Congress toward public-funded elections.

If you agree, will you join us and sign?  

Menendez receives praise for DSCC fundraising

by: Jason Springer

Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 11:30:00 AM EDT

The DSCC raised $10.4 million through March 31 - and had $7.2 million cash on hand, according to campaign finance reports. That's a faster pace than Schumer clocked in his first quarter as DSCC chairman.

In the first three months of 2005, Schumer raised $9.9 million, with $5.6 million in cash on hand. But Menendez's DSCC is saddled with more debt than Schumer was - $10.9 million - increasing the pressure to raise more money, a task made even more challenging by the economic downturn.

Menendez plans to intensify the party's outreach efforts to Hispanic voters to boost their participation.

In the 2008 presidential election, Democrats made gains with Hispanic voters. Now Menendez wants build on that success through taoilored efforts such as increased Spanish-language polling.

"In this particular election cycle, there are a series of states in which the Hispanic community will play a very significant role," Menendez said, citing races in California, Florida, Nevada and Illinois as examples.

Quote of the Day

by: Hopeful

Mon Apr 13, 2009 at 08:05:58 PM EDT

The people of Minnesota have many reasons to be proud tonight, not the least of which is knowing they have one of the best election systems in the entire country. A thorough election contest upheld the result of a meticulous recount. Al Franken won the election, Al Franken won the recount, Al Franken won the contest, and now Al Franken should be allowed to get to work for the people of Minnesota.

My emphasis.

Menendez and Schumer call on Coleman to concede

by: Jason Springer

Tue Apr 07, 2009 at 04:20:05 PM EDT

Minnesota has just finished counting the 351 previously-rejected ballots approved by the three-judge panel as having been legally cast and rejected in error. The numbers: Al Franken 198, Norm Coleman 111, Other 42.

This means that Al Franken's lead has increased from the 225 he had going into today, up to 312 votes out of roughly 2.9 million. We still need to wait for the judges to rule on the remaining issues, but the vote-counting during the election contest-proper is done.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee during the 2008 cycle, released the following statement:

"When you contest the results of an election, and you lose ground, you ought to know time is up. The people have spoken, and now that the courts have spoken, Norm Coleman ought to let the process of seating a Senator go forward."

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, current chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee released the following statement:

"Today everyone saw proof of what we have known for a long time: once all the properly cast votes were counted, Al Franken won the election. The people of Minnesota deserve their second Senator and it is time to stop holding the seat hostage to pursue an ideological agenda. We have always said Norm Coleman deserved his day in court - he got two months. It is now time to move on, and let Senator-elect Al Franken get to work for the people of Minnesota."

Coleman's lawyer, Ben Ginsberg, told the newspaper he will appeal the case to the Minnesota Supreme Court. One of the grounds for the appeal will be unequal treatment of the ballots, Ginsberg said.

Menendez looks to quell talk of DSCC dumping Dodd

by: Jason Springer

Sat Apr 04, 2009 at 04:36:15 PM EDT

Devastating poll numbers this morning should increase the pressure on Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) to consider retirement so a safe Democratic seat doesn't turn into a Republican one.

Ben Smith says that "at some point -- not immediately, but pretty soon -- DSCC chairman Bob Menendez and the White House will have to consider trying to push Dodd aside, or perhaps offer him a high-profile appointment (Ambassador to Mexico?), in order to run the state's popular Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal, for the seat."

Q: "Does the DSCC still support Chris whole-heartedly in light of these new numbers, and do they surprise you?"

Menendez: : "Are you serious? Chris Dodd is going to be re-elected. He's a great senator."

Q: "So the DSCC still supports him all the way?"

Menendez: "Absolutely."

Menendez ready to "duke it out" over Cuba policy

by: Jason Springer

Wed Apr 01, 2009 at 10:30:00 AM EDT

The son of Cuban immigrants, Menendez has risked the goodwill of the White House and his standing within the party to press the continuation of sanctions and travel restrictions against Havana's totalitarian regime. He riled many of his colleagues this month by blocking two of Obama's science nominees and by holding up the 2009 spending measure to protest the Cuba provisions it included.

The bill to be unveiled tomorrow in the Senate goes well beyond the measure Menendez just protested by removing legal barriers to all travel to Cuba, as opposed to just family-related visits.

"Anyone who knows me knows my views are both heartfelt and principled," Menendez responded. "It should be of no surprise to anyone that I have used political capital in my many years in the House and the Senate on this issue."

Senator Menendez said he would continue to use every available tool to preserve U.S. sanctions until political conditions change in Cuba, although he attributed much of his earlier ire to the fact that the provision had been inserted with no notice into an unrelated bill.

"If you want to change Cuba policy, fine, let's duke it out." "Let's duke it out on the floor and let's have our debate and let's have our amendments. Let's know who's for democracy and human rights and who wants to sell their stuff no matter how many people are in prison. That's fine. At least it will be an honest discussion."

Fellow Democrats were surprised by the force of his defiant, public opposition to a provision that enjoys broad support in the party. Menendez also serves as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a coveted leadership post that demands a degree of party loyalty.

Some liberal donors protested doing business with a man they thought was taking an outdated stance, and some of Menendez's fellow senators questioned whether they had picked the wrong person for the DSCC job. Dodd, for instance, is a top GOP target in 2010. He has called U.S.-Cuba policy "an abject failure." Some Democrats have wondered privately how hard Menendez would work to defend his colleague.

Menendez solicits for DSCC before deadline

by: Jason Springer

Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 10:30:00 AM EDT

The DSCC's grassroots have been the driving force behind 14 Democratic pick-ups over the last four years.  But for all of our victories, it's clear now that Senate Republicans will force us to find 60 votes to pass every last piece of President Obama's vital agenda for change.

A filibuster-proof majority has never been more important, and we need the grassroots to be stronger than ever to win that final, 60th seat.  It's going to take all of us to lay the organizational foundation and recruit the best candidates to win in 2010.

That's why I'm asking for your help to raise the last $74,863 to meet our quarterly fundraising goal in the next 36 hours.

I know how the winds of history blow.  The President's party often loses Senate seats during midterm elections.  But the pundits have doubted us before and we shattered their misconceptions.  We're going to do it again in 2010 because the map looks strong for our candidates once again.

Five Republican incumbents have already retired, rather than defend their party's record of failure.  We have already begun the recruitment process for what promises to be some of the biggest races of 2010.

The Republicans will be singularly focused on winning Senate seats so they can deny President Obama's bold agenda.  Winning that filibuster-proof majority will not be easy.

But the DSCC has proven that we know how to win that one extra seat.  All that's missing is your generous support before tomorrow's midnight deadline.  Remember, give right now, and a group of my Senate colleagues will match your contribution dollar-for-dollar.

Menendez: Republicans "are betting against the nation doing better"

by: Hopeful

Thu Feb 12, 2009 at 06:10:55 PM EST

"It might be tempting to think that 2010 would be a tough year for Democrats, but even, I think, a cursory look at the map shows you that the fear has got to be on the other side of the aisle," Menendez said.

We already know there are numerous Republican retirements for 2010, making their efforts to retake the Senate very, very difficult.  But Menendez did not restrict himself to analyzing the numbers up for election on each side, but took aim at their main strategy of obstruction and opposition.  

"Republicans haven't changed their brand...the Bush brand," Menendez said.

"The saddest thing and the most dangerous thing for them is that they are betting against President Obama and betting against the economic recovery we are trying to create. In essence, they are betting against the nation doing better... I think that is a wrong and dangerous propostion for the Republicans ... a recipe for failure," Menendez said.

One thing that is a bit frustrating with the situation in the Senate is that there is not much we can do here in New Jersey:  Both our Senators reliably vote with the Democrats, and neither is running in 2010.  I believe Menendez is correct that further gains are possible in 2010.

(Update) If you are somehow foolish enough to think that what Menendez is saying is just some Democratic partisanship, look at what conservative (if independent minded) Andrew Sullivan says:

This much is now clear. Their clear and open intent is to do all they can, however they can, to sabotage the new administration (and the economy to boot). They want failure. Even now. Even after the last eight years. Even in a recession as steeply dangerous as this one. There are legitimate debates to be had; and then there is the cynicism and surrealism of total political war. We now should have even less doubt about what kind of people they are. And the mountain of partisan vitriol Obama will have to climb every day of the next four or eight years.

(Update2:) And now Republican Senator David Vitter admits it in a speech to conservative activists:

According to Vitter, the GOP is basically betting the farm that the stimulus package is going to fail, and the party wants Democrats to go down with it. "Our next goal is to make President Obama and liberal Democrats in Congress own it completely," he said. Instead of coming up with serious measures to save the economy, the party intends to devote its time to an "we told you so" agenda that will include GOP-only hearings on the bill's impact in the coming months to highlight the bill's purportedly wasteful elements and shortcomings.

Will Menendez intervene in New York?

by: Hopeful

Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 08:31:18 PM EST

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a staunch gun control advocate who was propelled into politics by the 1993 LIRR massacre in which her husband was killed, told City Room she is "very upset" by the idea that "a senator representing the NRA for New York" and would be willing to challenge Gillibrand if no one else does...

She might just get her wish in the form of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer who, according to a source familiar with his thinking, would "seriously consider" primarying Gilliband if she's selected.

   "Given that 55 percent of the Democratic vote is in New York City and it's substantially to the left of Gillibrand's politics, and that he would not have to give up his seat in order to run, he would take a real and serious look at a primary," the source said.

Here's hoping the DSCC does not try to squash any primaries in 2010. National Democrats have signaled they will welcome a primary in Illinois, but this should be just as true in New York.

Or if I'm right that avoiding primaries is the top goal, then maybe Senator Menendez should call Governor Paterson tonight.

Menendez gets seat on Financial Services Committee

by: Jason Springer

Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 09:44:51 PM EST

Sen. Robert Menendez was named to the powerful Senate Finance Committee today, which has jurisdiction over federal fiscal policy.

The panel, whose members include New York Democrat Chuck Schumer, is chaired by Montana Democrat Max Baucus. Among other key issues, the committee is responsible for the pending confirmation hearings of Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner and is involved in the oversight of the federal bailout and financial-stimulus packages.

"This is a committee with an enormous impact on the issues that affect us daily, and it's important to have our state represented," Menendez (D-N.J.) said. "I'm looking forward to bringing a strong New Jersey voice to our work on tax issues as well as the funding formulas for major programs that affect the Garden State."

Not only will Menendez be dealing with our fiscal situation, but he'll also be helping elect Democrats to the Senate across the country as Chairman of the DSCC. So far, it is shaping up that there will be multiple open Senate seats in play for 2010. He's going to have a lot on his plate.

Menendez to be DSCC chair

by: Hopeful

Mon Nov 24, 2008 at 09:42:33 PM EST

"I'm doing this because I deeply believe in the change that we are trying to bring, and also because it means a great deal for New Jersey to have a seat at the leadership table," Menendez said. "Change is not a two-year effort, and it's my job to help build the majority in the Senate so that we can follow through with our agenda. This is a position that involves a lot of responsibility and a lot of hard work, and I'm humbled to have faith of the majority leader."

Best of luck to Senator Menendez.  The 2010 playing field looks very favorable to Democrats, but he's got to get started recruiting candidates right away.  

Is Shumer really ready to make Menendez DSCC Chair?

by: Jason Springer

Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 07:39:42 PM EST

Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.) says he will remain Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chairman at least until the outstanding 2008 Senate races are resolved, but still is keeping coy about whether he ultimately intends to pass the gavel to Sen. Bob Menendez (N.J.) in January.

Schumer, chased down after a closed-door session with Senate Democrats to determine next year's leadership lineup, at first declined to comment about his future. But when pressed, the two-time DSCC chairman said he would stay on at the campaign committee post for at least a few more weeks. Three Senate races remain in doubt, including Minnesota, Alaska and Georgia.

"I'm staying in to handle the three more races, and then we'll decide what to do," Schumer said.

"You better talk to Harry Reid," Menendez said, referencing the Senate Majority Leader.

Despite the fact that Schumer is up for re-election in 2010, some Democratic insiders are not fully convinced he is ready to give up control of the DSCC. Some Democratic sources even go so far as to predict that Schumer will retain the chairmanship."

However, if Menendez is the heir apparent, then it's either now or wait until 2014 - I don't think Menendez could or should run the committee while seeking re-election, especially since New Jersey is seldom easy. Still, Menendez is only 54, which is very young for the Senate (he's among the most junior twenty members). If his destiny is to lead the DSCC, he'll have ample opportunity to do so before long.

Blue Jersey Radio LIVE at 6:30pm - with the DSCC's Hannah August

by: Jeff Gardner

Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 02:30:00 PM EDT

Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.

This week: Our guest is Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Deputy Communications Director Hannah August. Or, in acronymspeak, the DSCC's DCD, HA. Hannah is a former Senator Menendez staffer, and joins us tonight with insight on New Jersey's Senate race, and races around the country. Are we really looking at a filibuster-proof majority? Find out tonight on Blue Jersey Radio, at a special time - 6:30 p.m.

And, of course, Jason and I will follow up the interview with the week in New Jersey politics, and the Garden State implications of national stuff ahead of tonight's final presidential debate.

Questions? Problems? Momentary bits of brilliance? Leave 'em in the comments. Or, as always - give us a call during the live show tonight at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time and have your say. Just call: 646-652-2773.

Talk to you then!