09 February 2010
Hatchet Job on Menendez
In a front-page article by Damian Paletta in the February 8, 2010 Wall Street Journal, the News Corp. has violated its usually circumspect news reporting editorial slant of its most trusted journalistic vehicle to imply political misbehavior by a Democratic Senator, Robert Menendez of New Jersey. The article charges Menendez with overstepping normal constituent service practice by advocating a decision by the Federal Reserve Board that would favor the business interests of some of his election campaign supporters.
But Mr. Paletta concluded his report by stating, “Some lawmakers have pushed for bailout funds or special consideration for home-state banks. They typically describe the effort as constituent service.” Well, who are those lawmakers? Are they Democrats or Republicans? Banks are certainly entitled to seek help from their congressmen in dealing with the federal government. Perhaps Mr. Menendez used excessively enthusiastic language in his letter on behalf of the home-state bankers he tried to help. I would like to know in how many cases those other lawmakers also indulged in unrestrained regulator-baiting.
Calling out Senator Menendez for exceeding the bounds of constituent service is fair only if compared to the frequency with which all elected officials do the same in order to preserve their jobs.
In a front-page article by Damian Paletta in the February 8, 2010 Wall Street Journal, the News Corp. has violated its usually circumspect news reporting editorial slant of its most trusted journalistic vehicle to imply political misbehavior by a Democratic Senator, Robert Menendez of New Jersey. The article charges Menendez with overstepping normal constituent service practice by advocating a decision by the Federal Reserve Board that would favor the business interests of some of his election campaign supporters.
But Mr. Paletta concluded his report by stating, “Some lawmakers have pushed for bailout funds or special consideration for home-state banks. They typically describe the effort as constituent service.” Well, who are those lawmakers? Are they Democrats or Republicans? Banks are certainly entitled to seek help from their congressmen in dealing with the federal government. Perhaps Mr. Menendez used excessively enthusiastic language in his letter on behalf of the home-state bankers he tried to help. I would like to know in how many cases those other lawmakers also indulged in unrestrained regulator-baiting.
Calling out Senator Menendez for exceeding the bounds of constituent service is fair only if compared to the frequency with which all elected officials do the same in order to preserve their jobs.
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