Why A Menendez Conviction Would Be A Nightmare For Senate Democrats

[DonViejo]

By CAMERON JOSEPH Published AUGUST 24, 2017 6:00 AM

Senate Democrats are living on a prayer that things don’t go wrong for them in New Jersey.

Jury selection concluded Wednesday in the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), only the 12th sitting senator in U.S. history to face indictment. If he’s found guilty and forced to leave office before the end of the year that likely would hand Republicans his Senate seat until the 2018 elections, giving them a crucial extra vote as they try to salvage what they can of their and President Trump’s agenda and possibly resurrect their efforts to repeal Obamacare.

While many things need to break against Democrats for this to happen, the September trial has them nervous.

“The fate of a lot of important issues hang in the balance of what happens with this trial. Just look at the health care vote,” said Jeff Tittel, a top New Jersey Democrat who heads the state’s Sierra Club branch. “What happens if he’s convicted? Can he hold out long enough for the next governor? The shift in one seat in New Jersey could have huge ramifications on a lot of issues nationally.”

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/menendez-trial-threatens-senate-democrats

[Me.]

1. If Convicted

will stay out on appeal, hopefully new dem gov in Jan.

[OnDoutside]

2. How long between conviction and appeal normally ? Could

the Republicans in the judiciary pull a fast one and get the appeal pushed quickly !