May 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Following Senator Menendez’s embarrassing flip flop on the Iran Deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Hugin Communications Director Megan Piwowar released the following statement:
“After shamefully and disgracefully flip-flopping on the Iran Deal, it’s no surprise that Senator Menendez didn’t want to show his face at the U.S. Embassy opening in Jerusalem. New Jersey and the Jewish people deserve better than an empty suit career partisan political hack who flip-flops on stopping the terrorist regime of Iran from spreading hatred and destabilizing the Middle East.”
WHAT HE SAID THEN:
“I have looked into my own soul and my devotion to principle may once again lead me to an unpopular course, but if Iran is to acquire a nuclear bomb, it will not have my name on it. It is for these reasons that I will vote to disapprove the agreement and, if called upon, would vote to override a veto.” (Menendez Delivers Remarks on Iran Nuclear Deal at Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, 08/18/2015)
“I believe we could still get a better deal and here’s how: We can disapprove this agreement, without rejecting the entire agreement…I will vote to disapprove the agreement…” (Menendez Delivers Remarks on Iran Nuclear Deal at Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, 08/18/2015)
“We can provide specific parameters for the Administration to guide their continued negotiations and ensure that a new agreement does not run afoul of Congress.” (Menendez Delivers Remarks on Iran Nuclear Deal at Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, 08/18/2015)
WHAT HE’S SAYING NOW:
“The most surprising opponent is New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, who presented the most clear and compelling case against the accord back in 2015 and proposed a viable alternative (in answer to those who claimed no better deal was possible). But then Menendez, fresh off his corruption trial, is up for re-election. And in deep-blue New Jersey, anything that looks like support for Trump is a political liability.” (Post Editorial Board, “Schumer, Menendez and the other Iran-deal hypocrites,” The New York Post, 04/12/2018)
“U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez was one of only four Democrats to oppose Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker joined most other Senate Democrats in supporting it…Menendez needed no convincing to oppose the deal.” (Jonathan D. Salant, “Menendez, Booker were on opposite sides of Iran deal. But both hate what Trump just did,” NJ.com, 05/09/2018)
“As the Senate Foreign Relations ranking member who opposed the deal, he said it’s a ‘grave mistake’ to walk away from it without a plan.” (Roll Call, “7 Lawmakers Who Opposed Iran Deal and Trump’s Decision to Withdraw From It, 5/8/18)
