I only have one bit of advice regarding BridgeGate...

[MrScorpio]

Always remember that there's a double standard when when comes to Republican scandals and ones by Democrats. You can never make the mistake of equating the two.

The standard for Republican scandals will always be exponentially higher than the Democratic level, which in many cases becomes political poison even if there was absolutely no wrong doing at all.

Unless Christie is either removed from office or thrown in jail, it's safe to assume that he's still a viable nominee for 2016. Sure, Hillary or whomever would hand him back his ass on a silver platter in a national election. But Republicans couldn't be bothered at this stage to muster any outrage against him, unless they are particular GOPers who intend to run against him in a primary. And even some of those are holding their forked tongues.

I wish that people would quit saying that he's doomed, especially if those people are either Democrats or lefty pundits. The bottom line is that their opinions really don't matter. Instead, pay close attention to what GOP politicians and right wing pundits have to say on this Sunday's set of morning talk shows. It's still early, but make sure to note what they say about Christie from weekend to weekend.

If by this time next month the Righties aren't calling for Christie's head, or for some reason, Bridgegate falls from public attention and Christie is still in office, he would have successfully skated and is well on his way to being declared the GOP front-runner for 2016.

The only way to stop that from happening is for reporters to dig deeper, find Christie's smoking gun and wave it loud and clear in a way that even Republicans will all admit that his career hopes are in the sewer.

Otherwise, barring something like a health reason, don't count him out.

[montanacowboy]

1. Grand Jury Needs to be Convened

and then it will be a free for all to see which rat squeals first and gets a deal

looking at Wildstein yesterday at that hearing he was scared shitless - hell, his attorney was begging for immunity

[MrScorpio]

2. Keeping a close eye on that guy

He could be the key

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Boehner is still saying he is viable

but TP folks are beyond giddy.

So this is not that easy to say.

I think he is doomed, but this is the reason for it, and the bridge is an excuse.



How bad it will go depends on the series of investigations.

[dballance]

4. I Think You're Right

Barring one of the former associates being flipped under prosecution I think he'll survive. On the other hand, he's pissed off a lot of people and treated them like crap in the past. Someone, somewhere, might have a smoking gun.

[LisaLynne]

5. The thing about Republicans is that they have an uncanny ability to ...

ignore anything they don't want to be true. They don't want to stop driving their SUVs, so they ignore climate change. They wanted a Born Again Crusading Christian as a President, so ignore his past as a dimwitted party frat brat who failed at every turn, even though he'd been handed every advantage. Want to feel that the Obama presidency is failed? Ignore all the evidence to the contrary, included that all the so-called "scandals" are pretty much debunked. Want to keep going to war? Just pretend that Iraq had those WMDs and that everything was going according to plan until a Dem got into office.

Still want a "hot shot", tough talking presidential contender? Ignore this whole bridge thing. Just ignore it. Like everything else you don't like.

[ailsagirl]

6. Yes, to them "the truth is irrelevant"

Living in their crazy-ass world...

[0rganism]

7. well, you're not wrong

i really feel the sads for all the DUers merrily proclaiming this to be the end of his career. It should be the end, and if he were a Democrat it would be the end, but IOKIYAR applies in this case as usual. We'll see; if some of his staff turns under prosecution, then maybe there'll be something to be merry about.

[HipChick]

8. Internally though...his Republican buddies don't care for him