January 29, 2008 - 1:00pm
Payne likes Menendez for Veep
By Matt Friedman
Tags: Robert Menendez, Donald Payne, Hillary Clinton, Bob Menendez, running mate, Vice President, VP, national ticket
Representative Donald Payne doesn’t think that "Vice President Bob Menendez" sounds too absurd.
“If he became vice president, I would think that some of our issues could certainly be heard more in the executive branch of government, so I certainly think it would be a very big plus for New Jersey,” said Payne.
Payne endorsed Hillary Clinton early this month, and served with Menendez for 13 years in the House of Representatives. In Menendez, Payne sees a politician like himself, who worked him self up from the lower rungs of local government to a prominent position at the federal level.
“Senator Menendez is certainly an able person, that’s for sure,” he said. “He’s worked his way up from school board member right on up to about next to the highest level of government you can be elected to. He certainly has a record of achievement.”
But Payne said it’s too early in the process to speculate whether Menendez would be a realistic choice. Especially considering that it’s far from settled who the Democratic presidential nominee will be. And he doesn’t think that U.S. Attorney Chris Christie’s investigation of Menendez, which has still not been resolved, makes him any less of a viable candidate.
“I think that probably most of the vetting that needed to be done has already been done – he’s been in office, he’s gone through allegations up until now – they’ve all been found to hold no water,” he said. “There are always accusations. Christie’s got one on him right now. So he himself will have to clear that up, and the question about why didn’t Gonzales target him has been a target raised. Why did he get a pass?”
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July 4, 2008
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Ha ha
I betcha he can't stand the guy! This sounds like a fishy endorsement, the whole bootstraps story is laughable. I say Payne is trying to line up friends to discourage Cory Booker from running against him!
its fine if you dont think
its fine if you dont think payne is genuine in his support for menendez, the idea of him as vp is out there anyway. but saying "the whole bootstraps story is laughable" is undermining what the guy has done with not just a career, but a life.
Not gonna happen
Just wont. It makes little practicle sense. Although, I agree he would make an excellent addition to the executive branch
blue, blue, my world is blue
2 Northeastern blue state liberals on the same ticket?
Say hello, President McCain.
Don't be offended HudsonBlue
I was only sarcastically poo-pooing it because most urban pols use the "I was pooor child in the south" storyline to draw in voters. I hear it so often, especially this time of year when everyone comes out of the woodwork for our votes. I confess I don't know the Payne story. He might really have a true bootstraps story. I do know that most pols are self interestedly motivated either to remain in office or for a promotion to a higher office.
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