Watson Coleman steps down from bridgegate investigation committee

[Laxman]

Bonnie Watson Coleman, a respected long-time member of the NJ Legislature and a member of the committee investigating governor Christie stepped down from that committee yesterday, apparently over remarks she made calling for Christie to resign. Meanwhile, Kevin O'Toole, who is up to his neck in the scandal remains on the committee. Par for the course around here these days as it appears conflicts of interest and having the fix in ahead of time is coin of the realm for Christie and his cronies. It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, replaces her. The republicans have been clamoring for an additional seat on the committee. I wonder if she'll be replaced by a republican.

Watson Coleman steps down from bridgegate investigation committee after calling for Gov. Chris Christie to resign

As she exits, Watson Coleman, who is running for the 12th District congressional seat, had some harsh words for a fellow member of the committee.

"Meanwhile, those who criticize me for speaking my mind should take a long hard look at their hypocrisy and lack of credibility," she said "Questioning my standing while keeping silent on the role one committee member - Sen. O'Toole – played in this situation, as it unfolded, is both inexcusable and dishonest."

And this really is what they're all about, transactional deals, dismissiveness, remarks that are totally, totally unacceptable in a civilized society. And you know what? The governor needs to think about resigning, and he needs to take all his friends with him because this is sickening," she said.

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/02/watson_coleman_steps_down_from_bridgegate_investigation_commitee_after_calling_for_gov_chris_christi.html#incart_maj-story-1

[mucifer]

1. Hopefully the feds will do a better job.

[NJCher]

2. what?!!!

This is exactly backwards. O'Toole needs to resign.

That is why it is good that the federal government has additional investigations going.

What could have caused Bonnie Watson Coleman to resign? Really, I mean.

This is an outrage.




Cher

[Laxman]

4. Yes He Does...

and if you don't believe that he's reporting everything the committee is up to directly back to Christie, then I have a bridge I'd like to....on the other hand, maybe that's not the right analogy to use here.

[malaise]

3. This was my precise question

"Meanwhile, those who criticize me for speaking my mind should take a long hard look at their hypocrisy and lack of credibility," she said "Questioning my standing while keeping silent on the role one committee member - Sen. O'Toole – played in this situation, as it unfolded, is both inexcusable and dishonest."

Why is that Christie 'Tool' still there?

[Beach Rat]

5. Hopefully she's headed to Congress this fall!

I wonder who will replace her as well. She's running for Rush Holt's seat. I like my congressman (Frank Pallone) just fine, but I always wanted to live in that district where I could say my congressman is a rocket scientist! I think Ms. Watson-Coleman will make for a good congress member, but I wish she would have stayed on this panel. Speaking the truth is no reason to step down.

[Laxman]

6. She Was Still A Strong Presence...

on the committee with years of experience and seniority. Very valuable commodities in this affair. I'm hoping she will be replaced by someone with equal credibility and power. We shall see. I guess its important to have the committee seen as impartial, but how do you keep O'Toole on the committee after he's named in the e-mails and outed as preparing a supportive statement for Baroni's testimony?