Former Christie Ally, Opponent Always Knew Governor 'Would Implode At Some Point

[DonViejo]

TOM KLUDT – JANUARY 9, 2014, 7:19 AM EST
A Republican who's been both an ally and an opponent to Chris Christie, Richard Merkt said he knew the New Jersey governor's acrimonious personality would ultimately be his undoing. He just didn't think Christie's downfall would come so soon.

Merkt, who teamed up with Christie in the 1990s to run for the state legislature before taking him on in the 2009 gubernatorial race, told New York magazine Wednesday that he sees shades of Nixon in the George Washington Bridge scandal.

"You know, reading the reports about the GW bridge fiasco, I recalled how similar the governor's conduct during the re-election campaign was to that of President Nixon during his victorious re-election campaign in 1972," Merkt said in an email.

:::snip:::

That's vintage Christie, according to Merkt, who noted that the spiteful move came at a time when the governor was cruising to a massive victory over Democrat Barbara Buono. "Given his vindictive nature, I always sensed that Christie would implode at some point, but I did not foresee it happening so soon or over such a petty matter," Merkt said. "By the way, my recollection is that Nixon crushed McGovern by a 60 percent to 38 percent margin, a margin virtually identical to Christie's victory over Buono. Funny how history repeats itself."

Complete article
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/christie-bridge-scandal-richard-merkt-implode-nixon

[Gothmog]

1. The Romney people were worried about Christie

It seems that the Romney people were correct to worry

[iandhr]

2. It's amazing someone so high in the polls would risk their standing...

Last edited Thu Jan 9, 2014, 10:46 AM - Edit history (3)

... for some petty pay back.

He was going to win big no matter what mayor of Fort Lee said.

Just like in every other scandal it's never the actual act that gets them him trouble. It's the attempt to cover it up.

[Lochloosa]

3. That's what bullies do...

[Nay]

7. Yep, true bullies can't seem to help themselves. They just have to bully. nt

[calimary]

24. Particularly when they're as arrogant as he is, AND when they've been able to get away with it

for this long. They start feeling quite convinced that they're invincible, and invulnerable, and that nothing will touch them ever. What's that old cliche about pride going before a fall?

[AmBlue]

6. What my dad would call "piss-poor" judgment...

and unbecoming of an elected official-- be it even a city councilman, let alone a governor or presidential hopeful.

In my book, whether from Christie directly or his staff, Christie himself is responsible. And this kind of vindictive behavior is an unequivocal disqualifier for anyone who would seek to hold public office.

[spooky3]

10. Highly unethical.

[Dustlawyer]

4. Just like with money for the Kochs, it is NEVER ENOUGH!

"Must have more votes, bigger margin of victory!" These assholes can never be satisfied, always more, more, more!

[1StrongBlackMan]

12. I don't think Christie was so much concerned with ...

the margin of victory; but rather, the optics of having made deep in-roads to state-wide Democratic (bi-partisan) support/appeal ... he was planning to parlay that into his Whitehouse run. The polls indicate the electorate is desperately seeking a candidate that can/will work across the aisle to get something done ... All the right-leaning (establishment) pundits have been taunting Christie as just that kind of guy; having the endorsements of Democratic Mayors just shores up that image.

I suspect that Christie is done for any real White House run and, quite possibly, for the remainder of his gubernatorial term.

It's funny ... you can just hear the teaparty ("true conservative&quot right and the Democratic Left cheering loudly; but I think it'll work out far better for Democrats than the gop.

[Dustlawyer]

16. True Dat!

[Laxman]

21. You Are Correct

If you listened to his press conference he must have said bi partisan 20 times. This was all about burnishing his image for national consumption.

The ironic part is that if he was a decent guy, NJ is the kind of place he could have garnered true bi-partisan support and it wouldn't have necessarily come in the form of endorsements from democrats-just results. However, he was more concerned with creating an image for sales purposes. True to his nature, he will and has done whatever he has to to gain personal advantage or (as in this case) retribution. He had to strong arm it out of people. Hopefully this marks the beginning of the end for his political ambitions.

[trusty elf]

5. Implode?

Sorry!

[IMG][/IMG]

[ClusterFreak]

8. He just had to have the 'waff-er' thin mint, didn't he?

[riqster]

13. He wanted to add a "wafer-thin bit to his margin of victory?

[ceeRoy]

15. Thats Nasty!

please remove it...sorry doesnt cut it

[calimary]

25. Oh God!

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Where are the entrepreneurs?

Anyone selling orange and white "Christie Cones" for highway safety yet?

[spooky3]

11. Ha! Time for him to live off his wife's

Cantor Fitzgerald income and stop putting people's lives at risk and wasting their time and money.

[Laxman]

14. Rick Merkt and Christie Live In The Same Small Town...

He was there when Christie lost a defamation suit stemming from his race for county freeholder. He knows his vindictive personality and his ability to do almost anything to gain advantage or get even. This is coming from a guy who knows him all too well.

[Orsino]

17. The faux-strength GOPers try to project has always been brittle.

I don't know that Christie's bluster and bullying was ever any different.

[zentrum]

18. What I don't understand is....

...how hurting people on their way to work and to school is supposed to hurt the Democratic Mayor. How would these unfortunate commuters be influenced to vote Republican because of this?

It seems like just the need to feel the surge of power with no rational meaning or political impact at all.

[Myrina]

20. Because most people would scream at whoever's "nearest in charge", ie - their local official.

Lots of people are blissfully unaware that highways are managed by the state in most places.

[PM Martin]

19. Is there really a difference between the mafia and Christie?

Both use the same tactics to coerce people to support their cause.

[Demeter]

22. Christie Ally? Kirstie Alley?

I'm so confused....

[deafskeptic]

23. I'm wondering if CC is toast now that FBI is looking into this.

Here's the link.

[calimary]

26. Welcome to DU, deafskeptic!

Glad you're here! We're all wondering some version of that. I'm hoping he is toast - whichever way will do it. But then again, I hope they're ALL toast in the GOP!

[NJCher]

27. the irony in all this is that

this is giving much media time to Barbara Buono, who never got any during the campaign. I am incredibly impressed with her. Not only is she articulate, clear, and concise in her communication, she is attractive and projects an air of competence.

She makes Christie look like a third-grade public speaker.

I voted for her and so did all my friends. I noticed a lot of signs for her in yards on my way to/from work.

She said on TV tonight that Christie was such a bully that it was hard for her to get financial support. People were afraid to have their name on a public list for fear of reprisal from Christie. She was, therefore, only able to get campaign contributions in $300 donations because anything else has to be recorded.

Barbara Buono must feel somewhat vindicated now that this has exploded and the truth about Christie's mean, vindictive ways has been exposed.


Cher

edited to add: everytime she appears on television or radio, I think to myself, "We could have had her for governor." She's been working in the public interest for 20 years plus.