By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
He’s probably criminally guilty AND a political target. That’s the opinion of a slim majority of New Jerseyans where Bob Menendez is concerned per the latest Monmouth University Polling Institute survey, Save Jerseyans.
60% of those New Jerseyans aware of the Menendez indictment (under 80%, which is an indictment of our citizenry in of itself) think he’s likely guilty, including 63% of Republicans, 63% of independents and 53% of Democrats.
51% also think the indictment is the product of political retaliation irrespective of his guilty. I’ve been saying that for weeks now.
“Many New Jerseyans seem to agree with Sen. Menendez that these charges were the result of a political witch hunt. They part ways, though, when it comes to whether he is actually guilty of the alleged crimes,” opined Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Click here to review the full results.
A recent FDU PublicMind poll found his personal favorability rating in the toilet; Murray nevertheless found his job approval rating in positive territory, 42% to 37%, something which I’m willing to bet is partially attributable to vocal opposition towards President Obama’s less-than-popular foreign policy.
Back to procedural issues: Menendez’s attorneys are presently trying to get the entire thing thrown out, and motions are due by June 19th. The tentative trial date is October 13th but there’s a pre-trial conference scheduled for 2 p.m. next week on May 18th.
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