A number of Democrats are returning campaign money they have received from New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez in the wake of his federal bribery indictment.
Not U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
A spokesman for the Wisconsin Democrat said Baldwin will wait to see the outcome of the Menendez case.
“Senator Baldwin believes the charges against Senator Menendez are serious but that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and he is entitled to his day in court,” said John Kraus, communications director for Baldwin.
“If he is found guilty and convicted, the campaign will donate the same amount it received three years ago.”
Menendez’s leadership PAC, New Millennium, gave $5,000 to Baldwin’s campaign in October 2012, when she was in a tight race with former Gov. Tommy Thompson.
While I absolutely support the premise that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, Sen. Baldwin’s decision to keep money her campaign received from Sen. Menendez’s PAC simply doesn’t pass the smell test. It’s disappointing, especially considering I’d venture to guess her campaign doesn’t really need the money.
Zach, I smell a little Wisconsin misogyny here as well. Whether Baldwin needs the money or not most likely never entered into her decision. I guess Menendez is disappointed, because he needs lawyer money, but media convictions are on a sorry upswing in this country and I, for one, am glad the Senator is not falling into that trap.
So wait…..now I’m a misogynist because I think it’s wrong of Sen. Baldwin to keep money given to her campaign by a U.S. Senator who’s been indicted on felony charges?
Seriously?
Tammy Baldwin should resign from office immediately. She is an embarrassment to this country and the progressive movement. First, her role in the Tomah VA scandal, and now this.
I disagree, and I think you’ve gone a little to the extreme.
Do I think Sen. Baldwin should return the money? Absolutely. Is she doing anything illegal by keeping the money? Absolutely not.
So Sen. Baldwin gets a $5,000 donation in October 2012, and uses that money in the 2012 election, and wins.
2 1/2 years later, the Senator who makes that donation gets indicted, and Baldwin is expected to “return” the money before the guy’s even convicted? Why? It’s completely unrelated and irrelevant, and the money’s likely gone.
I’m tired of this GOP bullying garbage. Tammy should tell those guys to stuff it, and demand that Walker give GOP donors their money back first, since we don’t know how much of it has gone to his criminal defense fund.
Zach, as usual you are balanced. Not the end of the world, but do the right thing and return the money.