Letters: Menendez charges face a high hurdle

ISSUE | SEN. MENENDEZ

Friendship matters

In its rush to judgment about the indictment of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.), The Inquirer took mocking aim at one of the key legal issues and missed the mark ("Friendship and corruption," April 3). Despite the editors' skepticism, the difference between friendship and corruption will make all the difference.

The senator says that he and Dr. Salomon Melgen have had a 20-year friendship, attending family events, vacationing, and doing what good friends do.

The Justice Department's Public Integrity Section has charged Melgen with bribing the senator. As a matter of law in simplistic terms, that requires the government to prove a direct connection between a benefit bestowed by Melgen and official action by Menendez - the quid pro quo.

But if a public official accepts the benefits of friendship in the spirit in which they are offered and not in exchange for official action, bribery has not been committed. This undisputed factor will be almost impossible to overcome in this case.

And that raises the larger policy question of why the Justice Department has gone down this road after similarly ill-conceived prosecutions in the cases of former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy and Sens. Ted Stevens and John Edwards.

In any event, we should not be too quick to dismiss the difference between friendship and corruption in this case. It will make all the difference.

|Gerald Krovatin, Newark

ISSUE | GOV. CHRISTIE

Where in the world?

Now that New Jersey state workers are under GPS surveillance, I hope officials are tracking the whereabouts of the state's No. 1 worker: Chris Christie ("State workers in N.J. under cellphone surveillance," April 13). New Jersey taxpayers should know what little towns in New Hampshire their governor is running around in while the economy of his own state continues to nosedive.

|Gerard Iannelli, Haddon Heights

ISSUE | PENNDOT

Pothole country

Pennsylvania has the highest gas taxes by far, yet if this money had been used to fix roads and bridges, they would not be decaying and full of potholes. This is a scandal begging for investigation.

|Carol Vorchheimer, Philadelphia

ISSUE | CAMPAIGNS

N.Y., Montana, butt out of Pa. Senate pick

Relax, Pennsylvania Democrats no longer have to choose their candidates ("Shapiro deflects rumor about a U.S. Senate bid," April 11). After all, it's reported that U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Jon Tester of Montana are trying to persuade Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro to run against Joe Sestak in the 2016 Democratic Senate primary.

These outsiders are acting at the behest of powers within the state Democratic Party. They want to punish Sestak for beating their candidate, the late Arlen Specter. Despite Sestak's losing to U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) in the general election by only about 2 percent during a Republican sweep, winning the seat is less important to the Democratic leaders than controlling the candidate.

I have great respect for Shapiro, but I hope he does not become the pawn to punish Sestak. Democrats might need a candidate for state attorney general. The hope is that voters will be permitted to choose.

|Hal Rosenthal, Philadelphia, halsue1@verizon.net

Long resumé benefits Abraham mayoral bid

As a former city inspector general, it is my opinion that the most qualified candidate in the mayoral race, hands down, is former District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham ("Abraham gets up off the mat; questions linger," April 12). She has the requisite credentials, background, and tenacity to create a strong, cohesive team.

Her dedication to public service, which included senior-level positions within the city and judiciary, reinforces Abraham's experience. And one of her most important assets is her integrity and dedication as a law-enforcement official in tough situations. She will be nobody's mayor but the voters'.

|Ben Redmond, Cherry Hill

ISSUE | CLINTON'S RUN

The right stuff versus not enough of it

There is a sharp contrast between Hillary Clinton and the Republican hopefuls. As a former secretary of state, U.S. senator, and first lady, Clinton has a multitude of experiences that will be of great benefit to her presidency. No challenger offers that so far.

|Steven M. Clayton, Ocean, sclayton24@gmail.com

No coronation, please

If Hillary Clinton is my party's nominee, I will support her. Yet, as Philadelphians know, a lack of serious competition can lead to complacency at best and even corruption. So, if other Democrats arise, it would be better for the party, the nation, and Clinton.

|Bill Dingfelder, Bala Cynwyd

Allies based on quality, not just loyalty

Hillary Clinton needs to stop picking candidates in local races on the basis of loyalty, which gave us Attorney General Kathleen Kane ("Her road to the White House," April 14). Hers must not be a selfish campaign, without coattails, as President Obama's proved. She needs to assure the party is not sidetracked with attention to so-called leaders - and instead concentrates on vote-getting throughout elected government to assure she has allies to implement her programs.

|Ben Burrows, Elkins Park