When Team Christie ‘plays offense’

[ProSense]

When Team Christie ‘plays offense’

By Steve Benen

A couple of weeks ago, aides to Gov. Chris Christie (R) leaked word that they were growing tired of “playing defense” in response to growing corruption allegations dogging the Christie administration. As the scandals intensified, the governor and his allies were prepared to “play offense.”

The manifestation of this strategy took shape in earnest over the weekend, though it’s a gambit fraught with risks.

David Wildstein’s attorney on Friday suggested “evidence exists” that Christie’s claims about the bridge scandal are not true. It’s unclear what kind of proof, if any, Wildstein has, but 24 hours later, the governor’s office was concerned enough to go after Wildstein’s credibility in an attack memo.

“Bottom line – David Wildstein will do and say anything to save David Wildstein,” the email from the governor’s office says, referring to the former appointee who reignited the controversy. <…>

The subject line of the 700-word email from the governor’s office is: “5 Things You Should Know About The Bombshell That’s Not A Bombshell.”

<...>

But the closer one looks at the attack memo itself, the weaker Team Christie’s standing appears...note that while trying to make the case against Wildstein’s credibility, the governor’s aides specifically point out incidents from when Wildstein was literally a teenager: “As a 16-year-old kid, he sued over a local school board election…. He was publicly accused by his high school social studies teacher of deceptive behavior.”...Team Christie, worried what a former ally might have on them, hopes to tear down a possible witness by shining a light on his high school antics – in 1977.

This is not the kind of move you make if you’re in a position of strength. Rather, this has the whiff of panic. As Andrew Kaczynski put it, “Anyone who has to go back to high school for (opposition research) is not in a very good position.”

- more -

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/when-team-christie-plays-offense

Christie Hits Back: Bridge Official Will 'Say Anything To Save' Himself
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024427736

[Eleanors38]

1. Because... they're offensive?

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Saying a 16 yo classmate was accused of "deceptive behavior" isn't the strongest argument.

Just assuming that accusation is true, it doesn't help "The Governor" because

1. It happened more than 25 years ago
2. You knew about that history and hired him anyway
3. You hired him precisely because he wasn't afraid of "deceptive behavior". Ethics slows one down.

[oldandhappy]

3. ha ha

On defense because they were so 'offense'ive!!

[Walk away]

4. Their attacks on Dawn Zimmer are even more bizarre....

I have met the woman and she is the least typical "political" city Mayor I have ever seen. Her reason for getting into politics was to create more parks for her city.
When a crook like the Lt. Governor (who is already under investigation for pension fraud) accuses her of dirty politics it's laughably ludicrous.

[Laxman]

5. I Am Certain That...

they have a "crisis management consultant" working for them and have since the start of this mess. (and as Brian Murphy wrote-I can't believe this is the work product of a professional!) Everything from the two-hour press conference to this "bombshell" about his former buddy David Wildstein was produced by this consultant.

The real problem is that at some point, Christie should have been able to look at the script handed to him and come to the conclusion that saying some of these things is just plaint wrong. But...he doesn't have the moral compass necessary to do that. It's either his lack of morals, his ambition or more likely a combination of both that is leading him down this road.

Right now it looks like that road leads out of town down to the dead end in the woods where everyone dumps old mattresses, dirty sofas and broken hot water heaters.

[ProSense]

6. It's truly weird. What about

Last edited Mon Feb 3, 2014, 11:15 AM - Edit history (1)

the staffer who resigned Friday: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024433017

Any insights?

[Laxman]

8. I'm Not Quite Sure What Exactly Is Happening...

other than the calls from Ft. Lee were probably funneled through her and her small staff. Its likely that there are records showing calls going to her (and we know there is at least one record already released) and being purposely ignored. Not sure that's enough to chase her out.

She's married to Michael Renna, the President and Chief Operating Officer of South Jersey Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries. He also held senior executive positions with South Jersey Industries. Why is this important? The Pinelands Pipeline that the Christie administration tried to muscle through the Pinelands Commission (that's entry #2 in the Christie Crime Digest for everyone keeping score at home) was a project of South Jersey Industries. Raises questions about the influence South Jersey Gas had with a direct pipeline to the governor's office and the ensuing pressure placed on the Pinelands Commission and the commission's staff.

[ProSense]

9. Wow, thanks for that. n/t

[Are_grits_groceries]

7. Good luck with that.

Christie has really been tagged as a bully now.

It's hard to go on the offensive without being perceived as a bully when you have that rep. It is a fine line to walk and Christie will be hard pressed to do it.

The press release including slams against Wildstein for a high school problem shows they aren't ready for prime time. Gawd! Most would hate to be judged on a high school problem.