Thread: Tea party recalls could backfire ~ Sen Robert Menendez NJ

Tea party recalls could backfire

By MAGGIE HABERMAN & ALEX ISENSTADT
6/20/10 9:14 PM EDT


One of the most prominent recall attempts is focusing on Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey.

Tea party forces are seizing on a new strategy in their attempt to purge Senate incumbents from office: the recall.

While it’s not entirely clear whether their approach will meet constitutional muster, that hasn’t stopped determined groups of grass-roots activists from trying in nearly a half-dozen states.

The most prominent attempt to recall a sitting senator is currently unfolding in New Jersey, where Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez awaits a state high court ruling on whether a recall effort against him can go forward.

The New Jersey lawsuit — which questions whether tea party forces can legally gather signatures to petition for a ballot recall of a federal official — is emerging as the beachhead for a movement that some activists envision sweeping the country, the next step in the evolution of tea parties as a political force.

New Jersey Democrats have denounced the effort but are nevertheless nervous enough over it — and the press coverage it’s received — to launch a Web page designed to slam it. Party leaders have gone so far as saying it’s racially motivated against a Hispanic official, a claim tea party activists vehemently deny.

Other states where nascent recall efforts have been launched against Democrats include Louisiana, where Sen. Mary Landrieu has been targeted, and North Dakota, where Sen. Kent Conrad is the target. Tea party leaders said their allies in Colorado and Michigan are also closely monitoring the RecallNJ effort for clues on how to proceed.

If the suit succeeds — a decision is expected in the coming weeks — it will almost certainly raise the alarm among incumbent senators, even those who aren’t on the ballot this year.

Still, there are several considerable obstacles to recall efforts: There’s currently no explicit provision providing for the recall of a federal official, and case law in some states has gone against such efforts before.

And if it loses the legal fight, some critics argue, the tea party movement could find itself dismissed as a transitory political force, a high-impact media phenomenon that doesn’t have many legs beyond the peculiar 2010 cycle.

“There’s two trains of thought,â€

MEGA RINO / Mr. AMNESTY .. he's gotta go

[quote="AirborneSapper7"]

While it’s not entirely clear whether their approach will meet constitutional muster......


Why are we NOW worried about constitutional muster? The ignoring of immigration laws passes constitutional muster. Giving citizenship to children of two illegal aliens passes constitutional muster. Illegal aliens obtaining mortgage loans, credit cards and other financial services passes muster. Catch and Release does as well. Illegal aliens vote, sometimes six times in one election. And Etc Etc. Why the worry now? {sarcasm on}

if it gets this idiot recalled, i dont care what happens.
this open borders loon does not deserve to be in congress

I have not voted in a very long time, I changed from dem. to rep. yesterday so my vote would count in my state. "good-bye Mr. Amnesty"