Steve Kornacki's theory on the Christie scandal

[ProSense]

Bridgegate Motive: Mystery Solved

by sharman

This was the speculation on Steve Kornacki's show this morning. There is no question in my mind that he has put his finger squarely on it.

It is indeed, as the Mayor vaguely intuited, about Fort Lee's big crown jewel: The billion dollar redevelopment project at the foot of the bridge.

Some either wants a piece of that project, or wants to ratfuck it. Screw with the project's bridge access, and the project is dead.

Here are the dots that Kornacki connected:

1) The timing. Bridgegate went down just before major financing for the next phase of the project was to be secured. That financing did not get back on track til Bridgegate was called off.

2) Christie's initial dickish press conference: I'd noticed this too, but did not see the trail: Not only did Christie go out of his way to mock Fort Lee's pain, he gratuitously volunteered that the real scandal he sees--once Fort Lee and its bridge access came on his radar screen--was how the heck did that little pissant town get 3 bridge lanes. Said Christie, "That's what gets me sauced."

3) Kornacki played that clip, and this leaps out like a red flare: Christie goes on to say: "I've talked to Samson (head of the Port Authority and Christie's appointee) about (the travesty of Fort Lee having 3 lanes). I think that's something that should be looked at."

Neon lights, guys. That's absolutely what this is all about. The Samson connection is particularly telling--isn't he really juiced with major economic players? For him to control something as valuable and vital as access to the GWB, that's a gold mine.

So that is the motive. Stick a monkeywrench in the project, just in time to stall its financing. Make it clear that the Gov and his friends can take away your bridge access. Then someone gets something they want very much. Perhaps a piece of the project. Perhaps they want to kill the project, because it competes with another project.

And either way, I am sure Christie is in it up to his eyeballs.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/12/1269070/-Bridgegate-Motive-Mystery-Solved

Christie's recent press conference was a con job, an attempt to dazzle people with bullshit.

Here is the response from the press conference mentioned in the piece above:

“The fact is, I didn’t know Fort Lee got three dedicated lanes until all this stuff happened, and I think we should review that entire policy because I don’t know why Fort Lee needs three dedicated lanes to tell you the truth,” Christie said at the time. “And I didn’t even know it until this whole, you know, happening went about.”

http://www.northjersey.com/news/christie_kelly_bridge_lane_closures_emails.html?page=all

Another quote:

CHRISTIE: I didn`t know Fort Lee got three dedicated lanes until all this stuff happened. I sat in that traffic before I was governor, the fact that one town has three lanes dedicated to it? That kind of gets me sauced.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/54031801/ns/msnbc-all_in_with_chris_hayes/

That's a about 3:50 into the first tape posted here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024303805

He was "sauced."

He wasn't upset about the dangerous situation created by the lane closures, he was "sauced" that Fort Lee had "three lanes dedicated to it." (lie)

Then there are the repeated lies involving David Samson, who we now know met with Christie a week before the "time for a traffic jam" message and who threatened Patrick Foye, leading to a Christie phone call to Governor Cuomo.

Samson, who claimed he wasn't told of bridge plot, threatened Foye in email
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024312456

NJ Port Authority Chief (Foye) Warned That Bridge Lane Closures Were Illegal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024311993

To quote another DUer: "Foye is sticking his neck out here, as we know from the other documents: the Christie people were seeking retaliation against him, and Christie himself later went to Cuomo to complain about Foye. This is courage."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024314942

To quote Josh Marshall: "...I do not see how that (Christie's call to Cuomo) doesn't gravely undermine the credibility of the story Christie told in his epic press conference on Thursday."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024314174

Here is John Wisniewski's statement confirming Christie's meeting with Samson.

N.J. Lawmaker: New Docs Mention Christie Meeting With Port Authority Chair

The New Jersey lawmaker who's been leading the state assembly's investigation into the scandal surrounding lane closures on the George Washington Bridge said Friday that newly released documents raise further questions about the extent to which New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's (R) administration covered up the mess.

Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D) in a statement drew particular attention to a document showing an apparent meeting between Christie and one of his top appointees at the Port of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the bridge, just days before his deputy chief of staff wrote an email to a Port Authority executive saying it was "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee."

Read Wisniewski's full statement below:

“As with so much else we’ve discovered during this investigation, these documents raise many more questions. It’s obvious that senior members of the governor’s staff were involved in spin control once this story broke.

“Given everything we’ve seen and heard, there are two glaring questions that exist right now.

“How much of the full picture was the governor’s senior staff given regarding the development of this lane closure project? With the tight control this administration maintains, it doesn’t stretch the imagination that they were given more information than they let on. When they were preparing spin control, how could they not have been given the whole story?

“Secondly, the documents submitted by David Wildstein and his attorney are documents they deemed specifically related to the lane closures at the George Washington Bridge as per our subpoena request. Included in these documents is a reference to what appears to be a meeting between Port Authority Chairman David Samson and the governor one week before Bridget Kelly issued the order to cause ‘traffic problems’ in Fort Lee. By submitting these documents, Mr. Wildstein is telling us they are related to the lane closures in some way. The question that demands answering is how?

“These are just two of the many answers we will be seeking in the days and weeks ahead.”

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/wisniewski_documents_new_questions

[Bjorn Against]

1. Does anyone have a link to the video of Kornacki's presentation?

I am not quite sure that I understand the Daily Kos piece, why did Christie want to stop this development project so bad? Most Governors would welcome a billion dollar project in their state to boost the economy, what was it about this project that made him willing to sacrifice something that would seem to provide an economic boost to his own state? I know he is an asshole who will take petty revenge on people, but it does not seem he would try to stop a project like this over pettiness so there has to be a larger motive.

I personally think Rachel Maddow's theory makes more sense, but would be willing to research Kornacki's more if someone could explain it better.

[ProSense]

6. Well,

"Most Governors would welcome a billion dollar project in their state to boost the economy"

...Governor Blowhard isn't typical. He's a bully with some very suspect motives.

Tunnel Of Idiocy

Many reports that Chris Christie is about to scuttle the second rail tunnel under the Hudson. If so, it’s arguably the worst policy decision ever made by the government of New Jersey — and that’s saying a lot.

The story seems to be that Christie wants to divert the funds to road and bridge repair; but in so doing he would (a) lose huge matching funds from the Port Authority and the Feds (b) delay indefinitely a project NJ needs desperately ASAP. He could avoid these consequences by raising gasoline taxes. But no, taxes must never be raised, no matter what the tradeoffs.

And it’s a social bad too: now is very much the time when we should be ramping up infrastructure spending, not cutting it.

Awesome.

And yes, if anyone should mention it, I am a resident of New Jersey who often visits Manhattan, and therefore has a personal stake in this project. You got a problem with that?

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/tunnel-of-idiocy/?_r=0

[Bjorn Against]

9. I agree that he is a petty asshole, but I still don't understand why he wanted to kill this project

I have no doubt that he knew about and approved of the traffic jam, I think Rahel Maddow's theory as to why makes a lot of sense but I can't make any sense out of what is written in the Daily Kos piece. Killing a billion dollar project is not mere pettiness, a project like that would be important to the state's economy and it seems sabotaging something like that could actually harm Christie as well as his state's employment numbers and tax revenues would be effected.

I am willing to consider this theory if someone can explain to me why he would do this, but I am not seeing a clear explanation in ihe Kos piece.

[ProSense]

11. Rachel's theory

"I agree that he is a petty asshole, but I still don't understand why he wanted to kill this project I have no doubt that he knew about and approved of the traffic jam, I think Rahel Maddow's theory as to why makes a lot of sense but I can't make any sense out of what is written in the Daily Kos piece."

... "makes a lot of sense" than retribution for a non-endorsement, but this actually makes more sense in terms of the scale of the action.

"Killing a billion dollar project is not mere pettiness, a project like that would be important to the state's economy and it seems sabotaging something like that could actually harm Christie as well as his state's employment numbers and tax revenues would be effected."

This scandal is already resulting in talk of criminal charges. The crimes have already been committed.

"if scandal ties back to Christie and his aides were involved in a cover-up, Christie could be impeached."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024316362

[Bjorn Against]

17. If I can find a video link to Kornacki's presentation of his theory I will watch it

I still am not able to make sense of the Daily Kos piece however, I am not saying it is necessarily wrong I just do not get why he would do this. I can buy that he would shut down a bridge out of pettiness, but killing a billion dollar project would seem to require a larger motive.

[kristopher]

36. Perhaps both Rachel and Kornacki are correct.

Killing/hurting the project could hurt the Dems from that area pretty badly.

[JDPriestly]

98. I think the point in your OP is that Christie may be angling for a cut, maybe a lucrative contract

for a friend or donor, from the redevelopment project at the foot of the bridge. Yes. Criminal conduct could be the issue. And very importantly, Christie has a huge ego to feed. He may not be comfortable with the idea that the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee might gain some political points by successfully managing a big redevelopment project in his city. Christie may be frightened at the thought of having a Democrat who is viewed as as capable as Christie judges himself to be.

[FarCenter]

99. Political points are worthless; money is the mother's milk of politics

[tosh]

15. Follow the money...

contracts related to the project - who gets them?

Classic old school politics.

[Bjorn Against]

18. That is a good question and if someone could provide an answer I may find this theory more plausible

[brett_jv]

37. +1 I'm similarly confused & would welcome a more clear explanation of the 'theory' ...

Unless it's just classic conservative dogma in play i.e. just simply doesn't like the government spending money to better people's lives (unless it's the rich) ...

[onenote]

38. The contracts related to the Hudson Lights Phase 1 were essentially done before the bridge closure

I have little doubt that Christie was aware of the bridge closure plan and I strongly suspect the motivation was to try and make the mayor of Ft. Lee look bad.

The theory that this was part of some plan to monkey with the Hudson Lights project just doesn't seem to hold up. The initial work on the project -- lining up the contractors to design and build the project was already done. the original plan was to announce the financing and anchor tenants in the Spring and break ground in July. But that got pushed back -- hardly an unusual event in a big project like this. The financing was announced on September 16 -- the week after the bridge closure. What exactly was the bridge closure supposed to accomplish? There isn't a chance in hell that anything substantial in the contracting for the project changed in that week. Anyone who has worked on a major construction project knows that getting the deal to closing takes a while and even after everyone is on board, it takes a while to paper the project. This project was all but done when the bridge closing occurred -- heck, ground was broken a month later.

Its a fun theory, but I have yet to see anything that would support it -- and the absence of any hint of any reference to the project in the various emails and texts is hard to explain away.

[tosh]

60. Have not refreshed my memory of Kornacki's show,

but I believe there was mention of a delay in the funding announcement that was quite closely tied to the timing of the lane closures. Was the announcement not scheduled for the previous week?

Seriously, I could be confused as I spent yesterday researching something that involved delay and failure of funding - another time, another place. My brain is not as agile as it once was

[onenote]

61. I have found no evidence that the announcement of the financing was delayed for a week

There were suggestions in the spring that everything might be lined up by May with an August groundbreaking, but that obviously had gone by the boards months before the bridge shutdown.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/223980031_Fort_Lee_luxury_development_gets_under_way.html?page=all

[Atman]

67. But it was miraculously cleared up just a couple of days after the strong-arm tactics.

You don't find this the least bit suspicious? After all, it IS New Jersey politics.

[tblue37]

30. If I understand what I just read, the idea was one of two things. (1) Threaten the project, not to

completely scuttle it, but to insist that unless Christie's cronies got a piece of the action, it *could* be scuttled. (2) Scuttle the project because it was going to compete with some other project that his cronies were already in on.

Anyway, that's my attempt at interpreting the article. (I know nothing about the whole situation myself.)

[Atman]

54. The project was already underway. It would have eventually proceeded.

I don't think the plan was to outright KILL it as much as it was to threaten, and to steer contracts to the right connected people. That is much more the New Jersey way. It was like a giant three-lane horse head in bed. And it makes far, far more sense than any "endorsement" theory. Politics is indeed not beanbags, especially when this kind of money is at stake for so many people.

Speaking of all this, who wants to bet that Bridgette Kelly winds up working as some sort of executive in this new development? Provided she stays quiet, of course.

[onenote]

56. What contracts and how?

How would closing the bridge steer contracts? And what contracts? The development plan had underway since 2009. Approvals had been granted in 2011 and 2012. The announcement of the final team involved in the project and the financing was made September 16 -- and if you've ever been involved in a project like this (or even one half this one's size), if announcements were made September 16, the contracts in question had essentially been granted well before that -- papering over the complex relationships between the major entities involved in this project doesn't happen over night. Or even in a week's time.

Yes, there are plenty of subcontracts to be awarded -- but I've yet to see an explanation of how closing the bridge for four days was going to impact how those contracts would be awarded.

[tosh]

62. The value of the development to potential tenants

rests to a great degree on the convenience of its access to the bridge. That is how it was presented on Kornacki's program.

Edited to add: Ooops - I'm still on the financing thing, the sabotage of which was part of the theory to my understanding.

[onenote]

63. The project as approved provides for the addition of two roads

Plus, you would have to believe that Christie and his clowns on the Port Authority were somehow going to force the lanes to stay closed after it had been shown what a disaster that was. If anything, the shutdown would simply provide reassurance to prospective tenants that the problems of gridlock were going to be addressed since they were not merely theoretical.

[Atman]

66. There were two phases to the project. Phase two hadn't yet secured financing.

Lots of money was still left to dole out for Phase II, the development of the second parcel. "Coincidentally," it was approved (according to Kornacki's report) just 2-3 days after the lanes were re-opened. The case had been made, apprently, that they could seriously mess with things if they didn't get what they wanted. At risk was nothing less than the value of the property itself, as it would become significantly less attractive to investors if there was not the direct access to the GWB.

It was a long, fairly complex bit of reporting. Quite thorough, and to much for me to repeat here. I suggest you find the clip and give it a look. Quite interesting.

[marions ghost]

83. I never did really buy the "endorsement" thing...

seemed too lame and stupid. This project football seems more likely as the reality.

[freshwest]

25. The Koch front governorships all do this. The public be damned. Follow the money. n/t

[Cha]

8. Just riffing here.. but, maybe because

it was largely given breath and life from a Democratic Mayor who wouldn't endorse. Who knows? Would he cut off his nose to spite his face?

Ground Broken at Fort Lee’s ‘Redevelopment Area 5’

snip//

"In March, the Fort Lee Planning Board approved Fort Lee Redevelopment Associates (FLRA)’s plan for the East parcel—a project known at the time as “The Center at Fort Lee.”

At Wednesday’s groundbreaking, which took place near the corner of Main Street and Martha Washington Way, Sokolich noted that it’s been more than 45 years that the property has been “fallow.”

“It’s spanned six, seven, eight mayors [and] multiple administrations,” Sokolich said. “As many of you know, there was a mayor that was in witness protection over this [property] some 40 years ago. It was the subject matter of a best-selling book, and it’s had a history, which I will tell you is probably second to none.”

Sokolich added, “That history ends today.”

Noting that he’s been given “quite a bit of credit” for seeing the project come to fruition, Sokolich said, “I was just a representative of a group of people that I will tell you were equally, if not more committed to making sure that this project was accomplished than I.”

http://fortlee.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/ground-broken-at-fort-lee-s-redevelopment-area-5

[Cooley Hurd]

12. ...and, given the lack of one public official in this pic:

...I'm guessing Christie was either too busy not-in-favor of the project?

[Cha]

14. Oh, yeah.. that ground breaking pic. I saw that

the other day. I didn't really take a good look at it.

Christie's like.." break ground on a billion $$$ project in my state without Me, will ya. I'll show ya what for."

I feel like we're all in a giant Sherlock Holmes book.. searching for clues.

Cooley How's the weather there?

[Bjorn Against]

13. Maybe, but it would show a level of stupidity I just can't fathom

I believe Christie is a corrupt and vindictive asshole, but I do not think he is stupid. He would not kill a billion dollar project in his state unless he had a real motive for doing so, he needs projects like this to provide jobs and tax revenues to his state.

I am not saying this project has nothing to do with the reasons for the shut down, it is possible that it was the primary reason for it, but I can not accept it as the reason until I see motive because I think if he were to try to kill something this big it would involve a lot more than petty politics.

[Cha]

19. I hear ya.. I don't know either.. It's just all that talk

of CC being sauced because Fort Lee has 3 lanes. Since they're having a billion$$$ project down there at the foot of the bridge then they're going to need more than one lane.

"The groundbreaking was for the roughly eight-acre “East parcel” upon which SJP, in partnership with Prudential Real Estate Investors, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Bergen County attorney James Demetrakis and investment firm Palisades Financial, plans to build two 47-story glass towers with 900 luxury rental apartments called “The Modern,” along with a public park, water features, a 7,000-square-foot restaurant with indoor and open-air dining and a refreshment kiosk, among other amenities.

SJP will also develop a 13,000-square-foot building it will donate to the borough to house a public theater and a public museum."

..

"Architect Howard Elkus said the project never could have gotten done without the support of both local government and the community."

[onenote]

41. I think you are confusing two different projects.

The "Moderns" project referenced in your post broke ground in 2012. The pictures in the posts above are from that groundbreaking, not the groundbreaking for the Hudson Lights project that some are speculating had something to do with the orchestration of the bridge closure by Christie and company.

[Cha]

45. I guess I am confused..thanks. Sounds like it's right next door then..?

Retail, luxury development to rise on Fort Lee lot that sat empty 50 years

FORT LEE — Earth movers and tractors were pushing dirt around Wednesday at a lot that had sat undeveloped for almost 50 years.

Tucker Development plans to to construct 1 million square feet of retail, luxury apartments and parking at the parcel bordered by Main Street, Martha Washington Way, Bruce Reynolds Boulevard and Central Road.

“This has taken a little bit of time,” Richard Tucker, CEO of Tucker Development, said at the official groundbreaking for Hudson Lights, drawing laughs

More..
http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2013/10/retail_luxury_development_to_rise_on_fort_lee_lot_that_sat_empty_50_years.html

[chowder66]

22. I'm confused too but there may be something there

Sokolich was on Maddow and this project came up as another possibility.

Maddow asks if there are any other issues that could have caused this;

SOKOLICH: You know, no, not that I`m aware of. You know, there`s a
side story to all of this, Rachel. Fort Lee, we`re going through a
renaissance at the moment. We`ve taken steps in the last three years that
we haven`t taken in any prior 25.

We are in the middle of a billion, I said a billion-dollar
redevelopment on a piece of property that`s laid fallow for over 45 years
right at the foot of the bridge. You know, there were some theorists and
there were speculators that suggested that, you know, maybe you guys are
progressing too quickly. Maybe you`re too successful in Fort Lee.

We`ve been called one of the more progressive communities in the state
of New Jersey. We`re the gateway community to the state of New Jersey.
So, people put in my head maybe you`re going to be brought down a notch or
two. Maybe you have other aspirations. Maybe this will discourage you
from thinking about, you know, using Fort Lee as perhaps a political
steppingstone.

more at link: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/54031912/ns/msnbc-rachel_maddow_show/

I'm wondering why that area was left undeveloped for so long and there is mention of someone trying to
revitalize it in the past and went into witness protection. Fort Lee votes Democratic and maybe there was a retribution plan
for a long time but the whole Court Feud fiasco set it off..???

[onenote]

52. Here's some history on the site.

http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21913

[chowder66]

72. Thanks! eom

[kristopher]

40. You might want to reconsider that. Remember the subway tunnel to NYC?

Report Disputes Christie’s Basis for Halting Tunnel
By KATE ZERNIKE
Published: April 10, 2012
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey exaggerated when he declared that unforeseen costs to the state were forcing him to cancel the new train tunnel planned to relieve congested routes across the Hudson River, according to a long-awaited report by independent Congressional investigators.




Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
In North Bergen, N.J., the entrance to the Hudson River rail tunnel that was being built.

The report by the Government Accountability Office, to be released this week, found that while Mr. Christie said that state transportation officials had revised cost estimates for the tunnel to at least $11 billion and potentially more than $14 billion, the range of estimates had in fact remained unchanged in the two years before he announced in 2010 that he was shutting down the project. And state transportation officials, the report says, had said the cost would be no more than $10 billion.

Mr. Christie also misstated New Jersey’s share of the costs: he said the state would pay 70 percent of the project; the report found that New Jersey was paying 14.4 percent. And while the governor said that an agreement with the federal government would require the state to pay all cost overruns, the report found that there was no final agreement, and that the federal government had made several offers to share those costs.

Canceling the tunnel, then the largest public works project in the nation, helped shape Mr. Christie’s profile as a rising Republican star, an enforcer of fiscal discipline in a country drunk on debt. But the report is likely to revive criticism that his decision, which he said was about “hard choices” in tough economic times, was more about avoiding the need to raise the state’s gasoline tax, which would have violated a campaign promise. The governor subsequently steered $4 billion earmarked for the tunnel to the state’s near-bankrupt transportation trust fund, traditionally financed by the gasoline tax.

On Tuesday, in a speech at a conference on taxes and the economy in Manhattan, Mr. Christie did not mention the report, but defended his decision to cancel the project, saying, “I refuse to compromise my principles.”...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/nyregion/report-disputes-christies-reason-for-halting-tunnel-project-in-2010.html?ref=transhudsonpassengerrailtunnel

[TreasonousBastard]

86. Figure out why he killed the rail tunnel project...

that was a much bigger economic factor than the Ft. Lee retail/housing project and you might start to get an answer.

I haven't seen any reasons for a lot of what he's done other than he's possibly insane. Getting into Meghan McCain's face for no reason at all a week or so ago was another significant, albeit less problematic, event. She was there with her father for something-or-other, and while McCain the elder was supporting him for a run, he blasted Meghan. Go figure.

Keep this piece of shit as far away from Washington as possible. Joisey might have to suffer with him a little longer, but no reason the nation should.

[FarCenter]

87. Most likely because it benefited NY real estate developers more than NJ real estate developers

It was a commuters only link into Manhattan, since it only went to Macy's basement, rather than improving the Northeast Rail Corridor from Washington to Boston, which would have much broader benefits.

The area in NJ between the Hackensack and Hudson Rivers, from the Palisades down to Bayonne, is competing with Manhattan for development projects. It has similar bedrock suitable for building office and residential towers as does Manhattan. It also has much better rail and road connections to the rest of NJ and farther west. Expanding access to Manhattan may be a priority for residential developers, but not for office, retail, and light industrial developers.

[TreasonousBastard]

89. Maybe, but I doubt it...

Christie has little history of taking any sort of long view, unless paid to, and I'm not so sure NJ developers (many of whom are also NY developers) would take such an interest in killing this project. It would increase traffic both ways, not just Joiseyians into Macy's where they would have to pay a higher sales tax.

Looks like the more immediate effect was keeping the gas tax low:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/nyregion/report-disputes-christies-reason-for-halting-tunnel-project-in-2010.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Whatever the reasons, it still keeps scaring me more and more that anyone, especially now, would think of this POS anywhere near the White House.

[FarCenter]

90. The NJ Transportation Trust Fund funds intra-state projects benefiting NJ developers, etc.

By putting the money there, Christie would be better able to steer projects to his supporters. I'm sure that the South Jersey democrats would favor that as well.

[TreasonousBastard]

91. But it's been broke for years...

and Christie's been canceling projects all over the state, like the PATCO light rail project down in Camden.

It's still all about keeping gas taxes low, and short-term political gain.

[FarCenter]

94. It funds NJDOT and NJT to the tune of about one and a quarter billion annually

NJ gas taxes are lower, but the roads are in better shape than NYs.

[okaawhatever]

65. Look at how many Republican governors killed high speed rail projects in their home state. There

was a huge gain for them in it. Their corporate overlords and the Koch brothers a. don't want big publicly funded projects like that. They want them to be private and b. They took away from their oil and trucking/railroad businesses.
There were other reasons as well, but no good ones.

[Tx4obama]

71. Kornacki video links below

Kornacki's 12:48 minute segment is here: http://www.msnbc.com/up-with-steve-kornacki
All the segment of his show are there.

And segment is also here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/12/steve-kornacki-chris-christie-bridge-scandal_n_4585830.html

[Cha]

2. Yes, 'cause it's all about Christie's feefees..

"2) Christie's initial dickish press conference: I'd noticed this too, but did not see the trail: Not only did Christie go out of his way to mock Fort Lee's pain, he gratuitously volunteered that the real scandal he sees--once Fort Lee and its bridge access came on his radar screen--was how the heck did that little pissant town get 3 bridge lanes. Said Christie, "That's what gets me sauced."

Oh, he'll look into this.. but, not why Bridget "lied" to him.. that's way beyond his curiosity meter.

3) Kornacki played that clip, and this leaps out like a red flare: Christie goes on to say: "I've talked to Samson (head of the Port Authority and Christie's appointee) about (the travesty of Fort Lee having 3 lanes). I think that's something that should be looked at."

Thank you, PS~

[Cooley Hurd]

3. Between Rachel Maddow's and Steve Kornacki's theories...

...I'm starting to believe that the Christie Admin felt they hit the Trifecta by closing the lanes to the bridge - it killed several birds with one stone. Little did they realize that what they did was potentially CRIMINAL.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. If there was a lawyer involved, (Charlie) they knew it was illegal.

I don't think they realized that their private emails were not private.

[starroute]

24. I agree -- and I posted something similar on another thread

Years ago, I read that in Freudian psychology there's an assumption that many of our actions are "overdetermined" -- that multiple motivations all point in the same direction and you can't pick out just one and say it's why somebody acted in the way they did.

That's also true in politics, particularly the sort of highly personalized, hardball politics they play in New Jersey. Basically, if it doesn't simultaneously reward your friends and get back at your enemies (or diminish the clout of potential enemies) while making you look good, it's probably not worth doing.

This also makes it easier to carry off covert operations. You can offer non-core participants one of the more benign motivations without filling them on on the darker side of things.

Certain things may also be done preemptively -- to weaken people who aren't yet your opponents but who might stand in the way of your accomplishing whatever you have in mind to do six months or a year from now.

I suspect all these factors may have been at work in the lane closings -- so we should be very wary of concluding that if it was X it can't also have been Y. It was probably about politics, and about money, and about the 2014 and 2016 elections, and about petty grudges and old scores, and about establishing a business-friendly judiciary, and maybe a couple of other things.

For that matter, perhaps we should also be looking back at some of Christie's odder moves -- like nixing the Trans-Hudson Tunnel -- and see if it fits into this larger picture. (And yes, I think Karl Rove's name popping up in the quote below is no coincidence. Rove urged Christie to run for governor back when he was still a US Attorney, and I'm getting a feeling there are closer ties between the two of them than has been acknowledged.)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/nyregion/christie-stands-by-his-decision-to-cancel-trans-hudson-tunnel.html?_r=0

April 10, 2012

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey defended on Tuesday his decision to cancel a train tunnel long planned to relieve increasing congestion across the Hudson River, saying it was a matter of principle.

Responding to a report by the Government Accountability Office that found he had overstated the cost of the tunnel to New Jersey, the governor also derided the tunnel plan, though he had said when he canceled the project in October 2010 that he believed in its merits. While the tunnel would have expanded the number of subway lines available to those who commute to Pennsylvania Station in New York City, he characterized it on Tuesday as a dead-end to a department store.

“So when they want to build a tunnel to the basement of Macy’s, and stick the New Jersey taxpayers with a bill of three-to-five billion dollars over — no matter how much the administration yells and screams, you have to say no,” he said in a speech at a conference on taxes and the economy in Manhattan held by the George W. Bush Institute.

“You have to look them right in the eye, no matter how much they try to vilify you for it, and you have to say no,” the governor told an audience that included Mr. Bush, Karl Rove and other prominent Republicans and business executives. “You have to be willing to say no to those things that compromise your principles.”

[starroute]

31. There's also the story in LBN about Rove pushing Christie as a candidate

I'm starting to think that Christie really is Rove's guy -- and that the only question is how much of Christie's behavior this could explain.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/12/karl-rove-bridge-scandal-proves-christie-is-what-we-want-in-a-president/

Republican strategist Karl Rove asserted on Sunday that New Jersey’s Gov. Chris Christie’s (R) handling of the George Washington Bridge Scandal showed he had the right qualities to be president of the United States.

During a panel segment on Fox News Sunday, host John Roberts pointed out that many Republicans were praising Christie for firing one of his top aides after a newspaper exposed his administration’s role in closing part of the busiest bridge in the world as part of political retribution plot, but President Barack Obama had not fired anyone over the health care reform law.

“I think he did himself a lot of good,” Rove said of Christie’s reaction to the scandal. “I think he did himself some good by contrasting with the normal, routine way of handing these things, which is to be evasive, to sort of trim on the edges.”

[pangaia]

50. I think Rove is absolutely right.

Christie has all the right qualities to be president. For a republican mobster.. just look at the last 3 repub presidents.

[boston bean]

4. The mayor kept repeating this initiative in his interviews.

So, this does seem to make sense.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. It all comes down to patronage contracts, doesn't it?

The same game gets played in Florida. Because no one can stop them, the good buddies move their bishops around out in the open. Steven Precourt on the Orlando Expressway Authority and Frank Kruppenbacher as chairman of the Aviation board. Rick Scott's people.

It would not surprise me if the companies who get their bids approved will either be counted on to send nice checks to the GOP, or Democrats who will be counted on to help hold back the angry swell from the masses.

"We were here first." Yeah, I get it. We live in a backwater because no one at the top is willing to stick their necks out to clean out a system where retaliation is a strong possibility.

[tosh]

16. Winner!

[libdem4life]

101. Same for the $4 million marketing contract for Sandy Repair...the $2 million quote was not chosen

supposedly because it did not include featuring the Christie family...during an election year. So they paid $4 million. Free political ads...plus using Obama as one of his actors no less...politics on the taxpayer's money.

[Baitball Blogger]

102. An investigation should be held to find out who got that money, because

I suspect that this is the new way to launder money. Government contracts are being used as inducements for campaign donations, or some other objective, like hush money.

This is the source of inequality in our worlds. Minority groups have the most to lose because the GOP, especially in the South, are looking to seal in that cash for a racist purpose.

[libdem4life]

103. In this case it was a blatant decision to hire the firm, at nearly double the other firm's quote,

that would feature the Christie family. The other firm passed, probably smart enough to see the inherent "payola" involved for campaign ads on the taxpayers dime. Meanwhile, places like Hoboken and other smaller places have seen little money for rebuilding. Those whose mayors did not "endorse" him, it is coming out, that they received less federal aid. This is bringing in the Feds, as it should.

[livetohike]

10. Thanks ProSense!

[ProSense]

27. Thanks.

[grantcart]

20. fantastic summary ProSense, as always.

[ProSense]

32. Thanks. n/t

[Ninga]

21. So glad you posted this! I think BOTH Maddow and Kornacki are in the right ballpark.

Christie calling the Democrats "animals" on August 12 when they sunk his Supreme nominee, coupled with Ft Lee supposedly having 3 dedicated lanes on GWB led to Kelly's 7:30am Aug 13th infamous text.

[ColumbusLib]

23. Watching Up right now

Fascinating- Kornacki's putting it all together really well. Great stuff! And thanks for your summary, very helpful.

[ProSense]

26. LOL! Giuliani:

Rudy Giuliani: Chris Christie’s Career ‘Completely at Risk’ If He Isn’t Telling the Truth

<...>

“He says he didn’t know. I think it’s pretty darn credible. He wouldn’t make this blanket denial unless it’s not true,” Giuliani told ABC News’ Martha Raddatz Sunday. ”

“If, for some reason, it’s not true, the man has put his political career completely at risk if it turns out there is some evidence that he knew about it,” Giuliani added. “He’s taken the complete risk that his political career is over. I don’t think he’d do that if there’s any suggestion he knew about this.”

<...>

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/01/rudy-giuliani-chris-christies-career-completely-at-risk-if-he-isnt-telling-the-truth/

Nothing Governor Blowhard has said is true.

[Major Nikon]

35. Sure, kinda like Nixon

The flip side of that is what does he have to lose by denying everything? If he admits it, he's toast. If he gets caught lying, he's toast.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

55. Ghouliani would know a little something about cover-ups and backing the "official story". Fuck him!

[another_liberal]

28. Good details here.

Thanks for taking the trouble to lay that all out for us.

[TheBlackAdder]

29. Possible. The 2016 Fervor (and his staff's hunger for cabinet positions was a large influence).

The motivations, as I see it...



It could be:

1) Financial Gain by someone over the plot of land in Fort Lee.

2) It should have been retaliation for the judicial nominations.

3) It could be retaliation for the mayor not supporting Christie.

4) It could be a combination of the above.


===


Based on past behavior... I feel that it is the fervent thirst for Presidential Power that drove them to do it. And by THEM, I believe that Christie was in on it. These guys give me the impression that they wanted to ensure minimal intra-state resistance from now until November 2016.

This appears to be a signal that if you fuck with Christie's 2016 campaign, his stewardship of the state, or interfere with his relations... you'll get the hammer!

I believe that those involved did it out of loyalty, but mostly to achieve a 2016 victory and them all getting high-positions in the government or on the President's Staff.


===


I believe that they wanted to shut up any dissension in the state so they can concentrate on a 2016 run.

I believe that they wanted to silence anyone who would cast a negative light on his candidacy.

I believe this was all done for power and profit as a presidential contender.


I believe that, if this one act also hurt the Senate Speaker or affected the Redevelopment Plan in the town (also possibly seen as hurting the mayor), then that would be a VALUE ADDED BONUS.

[ProSense]

33. Interesting and plausible. n/t

[proverbialwisdom]

34. FYI, Kornacki stated on Chris Hayes' show that he worked for Wildstein early in his career. (nt)

[Cha]

39. Yeah, he said that on Rachel's show

the other night, too.

[ProSense]

47. Wildstein ran Politickernj

PolitickerNJ.com (then-PoliticsNJ.com) alumnus Steve Kornacki has been named the new host of MSNBC’s “Up” which airs Saturdays and Sundays from 8-10 a.m. ET.

http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/kornacki-takes-helm-msnbc-weekend-morning-show

Background on Wildstein:

Ex-blogger is Governor Christie's eyes, ears inside the Port Authority

For a decade, he was a faceless force in New Jersey politics, an Internet blogger who delivered scoops while keeping his identity a closely guarded secret...David Wildstein, formerly known by the pen name Wally Edge, is playing a key behind-the-scenes role in Governor Christie’s effort to get more control over the Port Authority...in Wildstein, an experienced political strategist who went to high school with the governor, the Christie administration may have found the perfect instrument to help shake things up, some say.

Longtime employees, however, privately describe a man intent on carrying out a political agenda rather than one built on reform or improving the region’s transportation system. They believe the appointment of Wildstein and dozens of others recommended by the governor — for jobs ranging from toll collector to deputy executive director — are evidence that political loyalty trumps merit.

To Christie, though, they are needed to bring about change. And Wildstein figures prominently in that effort.

“He is there in that job because he is well suited to the task of playing a role in reforming the Port Authority in accordance with the governor’s goals,” said Christie’s spokes­man, Michael Drewniak.

- more -

http://www.northjersey.com/news/ny_metro/030312_Ex-blogger_is_Governor_Christies_man_inside_the_Port_Authority.html

<...>

Wally Edge, the anonymous, acerbic and influential editor of the website PolitickerNJ, is really former Livingston Mayor David Wildstein, according to four people with personal knowledge of Edge’s identity.

Wildstein has left the site unofficially to start his new job as director of interstate capital projects at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In his new position, which pays $215,000 a year, Wildstein is working under his own name.

He was hired by former Mercer County Republican Sen. Bill Baroni, now the No. 2 executive at the agency. Gov. Chris Christie’s office did not object to the hire...In an e-mail to The Star-Ledger late Thursday, Wally Edge said goodbye.

"After more than 10 years covering New Jersey politics, it’s time for me to retire," he wrote. "Founding PolitickerNJ.com has been a tremendous journey, spanning six governors and seven statewide elections. New Jersey has an amazing political history, many talented (political) operatives, and a huge number of very good people."

- more -

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/politickernjs_secret_is_out_ed.html

[proverbialwisdom]

57. Valuable context. Thanks! (nt)

[Atman]

68. He's made no secret of this, and disclosed it quite a while ago.

When the first rumblings of scandal were breaking he informed his viewers of his links to Wildstein, and how he basically owes his career to him. He's been very up front about it all along, and says he feels it affords him some insight into the various personalities that others might not have. He hasn't used the relationship at all in a way which would help anyone involved, that's for sure.

[proverbialwisdom]

74. No judgement implied but it remains noteworthy, IMO.

Cerf and Christie went way back, too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/18/nyregion/18cerf.html

Christie Picks Klein Ally for New Jersey Schools
By WINNIE HU
Published: December 17, 2010

http://thinkprogress.org/education/2011/06/13/243804/christie-firm-school-privatization/

Christie Worked For Firm That Represented For-Profit Schools, Now Pushing For School Privatization
BY ZAID JILANI ON JUNE 13, 2011 AT 4:30 PM

One of the major initiatives of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has been pushing for is the expansion of for-profit and privately managed schools in K-12 education. As part of this push, Christie has been championing a school voucher expansion that would cost the state $825 million to funnel tax dollars to private schools, while at the same time slashing spending for public education, cutting $820 million last year alone.

Last week, Christie announced a new “public-private school pilot program” which would allow “local school boards [to] hand control of some so-called ‘transformation schools’ to education management organizations, possibly including for-profit firms.” Christie designed the new program with Acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf, the “former president of the world’s largest for-profit operator of public schools, Edison Schools Inc.”

The New Jersey Star-Ledger notes that Christie actually has a very strong financial tie to Cerf’s for-profit company. The private law firm at which Christie worked as a lobbyist between 1999 and 2001 actually lobbied New Jersey’s government on behalf of Edison Schools:

From 1999 to 2001, Christie was a registered lobbyist at a law firm that lobbied New Jersey government on behalf of Edison Schools, according to filings with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission. While the firm was representing the multinational education company, Chris Cerf was its general counsel.

The firm, Dughi, Hewit and Palatucci, also represented Mosaica Education, a for-profit charter school operator, and the University of Phoenix, a for-profit online university. At the time, the firm listed two lobbyists, Christie and William Palatucci, a longtime political ally of the governor who is a named partner in the firm.

[NJCher]

42. 3 clips dated today, Jan 12, up at Kornacki's web page

http://www.msnbc.com/up-with-steve-kornacki


Cher

[ProSense]

48. Thanks. n/t

[oldandhappy]

43. Thank you everyone.

Keep things coming. Sort of like Watergate, bit by bit.

[sulphurdunn]

44. Hey! New Jersey ain't Vermont after all.

[Arugula Latte]

46. Christie is an organized crime thug.

[LiberalElite]

49. HMMM - this was buried in Maureen Dowd's mocking column yesterday -

titled "Thunder Road": "... If you want to be malicious, it would be so easy to put a project close to the mayor’s heart on hold for a few months..."

The link to the column, posted in Politics2014 by Tomm2Thumbs:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/12/opinion/sunday/dowd-thunder-road.html?_r=0

[malaise]

51. Excellent OP ProSense

Rec

[ProSense]

58. Thanks. Hey:

"Is it wrong that I'm smiling?"

[malaise]

59. Bwwwwwwwwwwwwah!

I'm lovin' it.

[ProSense]

70. He's losing this

online poll:

Should Christie resign if it's proven he knew about the GWB closures?

Yes - 80 percent

No - 20 percent

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/poll_christie_should_resign_if_he_knew_about_gwb_lane_shutdown_voters_say.html

[polichick]

53. Without Steve and Rachel this scandal might have gone away...

Or maybe I'm giving them too much credit because I've really enjoyed their coverage.

k&r

[ProSense]

64. Josh Marshall: Following the Money on Bridgegate

Josh Marshall: Following the Money on Bridgegate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024320555

[Tx4obama]

69. Additional article from HuffingtonPost with video, below

Steve Kornacki Floats New Theory About Chris Christie's Bridge Scandal

Article and Video, here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/12/steve-kornacki-chris-christie-bridge-scandal_n_4585830.html

[rhett o rick]

73. Another popular conspiracy theory. Thanks for posting. nm

[H2O Man]

75. Well done.

Recommended.

[ProSense]

77. Thanks. n/t

[Laelth]

76. Good post. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[Laxman]

78. Kornacki's Theory Just Might Have Some Merit...

Here's an explanation of the players

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024322305

Most corruption in NJ is never more than one step removed from real estate development.

[HR_Pufnstuf]

79. Kushner-Wildstein-Christie-Silverstein-Samson-Port Authority Linked

Maybe Silverstein and the Port Authority wanted to develop that land, but Tucker (and Kushner!) are getting to develop Hudson Lights.


--

Tucker Secures $218M in Financing for Hudson Lights
17-Sep-2013 (4 days after Bridgegate operation)

"A joint venture of Tucker Development Corp., Ares Management and Kushner Real Estate Group has secured $218 million in financing for the initial phase of Hudson Lights, a 1 million-square-foot mixed-use redevelopment of an eight-acre site located at the base of the entrance to the George Washington Bridge in the heart of downtown Fort Lee, N.J...

http://www.aecom.com/What+We+Do/Construction+Services/_news/Tucker+Secures+$218M+in+Financing+for+Hudson+Lights

Hudson Lights (photos of development project)
http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21913

--

Kushner-Christie History

6-April-2009
Christie said that this Web site in particular has had a bone to pick with him since he indicted Charles Kushner on charges of tax fraud, campaign finance fraud and witness tampering. Kushner’s son Jared bought PolitickerNJ.com – then-known as PoliticsNJ.com -- in 2007.

“Those people… who are on the Kushner-owned web site, I've never been on their holiday card list,” said Christie. “Ever since I sent Kushner to jail, my coverage on Politics–or PolitickerNJ.com--has not been sterling. While I'm sure there are lots of good, well-intentioned people, the editorial policy there has not been favorable since I sent Charles Kushner to jail.”

Read more at http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/28808/christie-addresses-ethics-questions-head#ixzz2qG5Mxcan
or sign up for a free trial of State Street Wire at http://www.politickernj.com/freetrial

http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/28808/christie-addresses-ethics-questions-head

--

Wildstein-Kushner History

In 2000, while still working at the family business, Wildstein secretly founded a New Jersey political news site called PoliticsNJ.com (since renamed PolitickerNJ.com), which he ran with the financial support of his friend New Jersey real estate mogul Jared Kushner (Charles' son), who publishes the New York Observer (in 2007).

He sold it to someone named Jared Kushner, who is the young, rich son of someone named Charles Kushner. Charles Kushner was a New Jersey real estate magnate and top Democratic donor who Christie prosecuted and put in jail when he was U.S. Attorney. By the way, do you know what Christie prosecuted Kushner for? It was the ultimate, only in Jersey scandal.

--

Silverstein-Samson Link - Port Authority ownership and construction of WTC 1

One World Trade Center, being built by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey with the Durst Organization, and Silverstein’s 4 World Trade Center will be completed by early next year.

‘Key Milestone’

A GroupM lease would be critical to “completion of our efforts downtown,” David Samson, chairman of the Port Authority, which owns the World Trade Center site, said in a telephone interview.

--

Guess whos proposal to Fort Lee did not happen - Silverstein Properties.

Two weeks ago, the borough of Fort Lee called for new development proposals for either all or half the site — and received one from Tucker for its half; one from SJP Residential Properties and the Bergen County developer James Demetrakis for the other; and two proposals for the whole site.

The first of the whole-site proposals was from the World Trade Center developer Silverstein Properties, in conjunction with the high-end fashion mall developer Taubman Centers (owner of the Mall at Short Hills). Their plan is for a regional retail center, with a couple of housing towers situated to take advantage of the up-close view of the bridge, the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline.

[HR_Pufnstuf]

80. Samson-Silverstein link (cont.)

10-1-10 - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday nominated as chairman of the Port Authority David Samson, a prominent attorney who for years had as a client World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein, the bi-state agency's most high profile tenant and frequent adversary.

The move opens questions of a conflict, given that the agency, which owns the 16-acre site, has engaged in multiple hard-fought lease negotiations in recent years with Mr. Silverstein who is building up to three towers on the property.

A spokesman for Mr. Christie, Michael Drewniak, said in a statement that the Christie administration is "aware of his prior representation, but it's not something that would prohibit or impede his taking the position."

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748704483004575524730536657048

[Cha]

81. Thank you for the links, HR_Pufnstuf..

Whew.. lota playas

[FarCenter]

84. Jared Kushner is married to Ivanka Trump

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Kushner

[annabanana]

82. Ah yup!

This sounds like the right answer, from someone who knows the players...

[jsr]

85. Recommend

[ProSense]

92. Whatever the motive,

"The whole sinister tone of that message implies something part of a bigger plan, something definitely set as retribution. "

...it's clear that Christie has been lying his ass off. Welcome to DU.

NJ Assembly Launches Special Bridge Scandal Investigative Committee
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024323658

[ProSense]

96. Given what we know,

"Granted, this has to hurt him, but as it stands right now I'm not sure it would be enough. Something that definitively points to him having direct knowledge or command of it will destroy him. I hope to hell these investigations uncover everything, or someone turns on him etc."

...including the fact that Christie told numerous blatant lies, he's one of two things...

Christie: Vindictive ass or incompetent buffoon
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/09/1268391/-Christie-Vindictive-ass-or-incompetent-buffoon

[ProSense]

95. NJ Dem: Development Theory Is 'Absolutely' Plausible In Bridge Scandal

NJ Dem: Development Theory Is 'Absolutely' Plausible In Bridge Scandal

One of the top Democrats in New Jersey told TPM on Monday that it's "absolutely" possible a billion-dollar redevelopment project is at the root of the scandal that has consumed Gov. Chris Christie (R) in recent days.

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D) said she hasn't dismissed the idea that the closing of lanes on the George Washington Bridge in September was retaliation against the mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., where traffic was gridlocked for days, for not endorsing Christie. However, she said she was open to a theory about the redevelopment project that was first offered by MSNBC host Steve Kornacki and former political reporter Brian Murphy on Sunday.

"Would these developments play a role in this and be sort of a typical Jersey political story? Absolutely," Weinberg said. "It could have been to show this developer: 'You want a piece of the action? I want -- I'm making something up here -- I want to be the traffic consultant, I want to be the attorney who rents out the property,' or, you know, whatever."

<...>

Weinberg said she still thinks it's possible retribution against Sokolich was the main motivation for the lane closures. But she said it would be impossible to know the motivation for the closures until investigators determine who ordered the lanes to be shut.

"There's so much speculation here because ... there is a big missing link," Weinberg said.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/weinberg-development-deal

[bettyellen]

100. Sokolich mentioned this construction project when talking motive on Rachel's show last week.....

It was interesting because he didn't out and out say they wanted a piece of it, but I don't know what else could be inferred. I think he said they were "jealous" or something like that. So, he hinted at it last week.

[ProSense]

97. NJ Lawmakers Urge Caution On Alternate Bridge Scandal Theories

NJ Lawmakers Urge Caution On Alternate Bridge Scandal Theories

Asked about a theory linking the George Washington Bridge lane closings scandal to a billion-dollar redevelopment project in Fort Lee, N.J., two Democratic New Jersey state Assemblymen told TPM on Monday that the investigation of the incident needs to be allowed to run its course.

"I think it's a plausible idea," Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D) told TPM. "I think that from my perspective, you're going to have a lot of theorists out there now"

<...>

"Clearly, that is an issue that is outside of the Port Authority, it's outside of a transportation issue, and that's why we formed this new committee," Greenwald said.

Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D), a member of the Assembly's Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, echoed Greenwald's words when asked about the development theory.

- more -

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/development-theory-democrats