In Shift, New Jersey Senator Says He’ll Back Court Pick.

[elleng]

Reversing himself in what had become an awkward intraparty stalemate for Democrats, Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey said Friday that he would no longer block President Obama’s nominee to a federal appeals court.

Mr. Menendez said he had decided to support the nominee, Judge Patty Shwartz, after an “in-depth discussion” with her at a meeting on Friday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/nyregion/senator-menendez-shifts-on-obama-judge-pick.html?hp

[rfranklin]

1. I believe that Chris Christie was the instigator in the corruption charges against Menendez

He was following orders from Karl Rove. If you recall that was part of the attorney firing scandal in which Rove was trying to get an election year advantage by bringing charges against Democrats wherever possible.