Forget 2016, Chris Christie may not even be governor much longer

[DonViejo]

If this political payback scandal spreads, Chris Christie could have much more to worry about than the Iowa caucus

JOAN WALSH

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie strode to the microphones in Trenton Wednesday night and took an hour of reporters’ tough questions about a plot by staffers to punish Fort Lee’s Democratic mayor by snarling his city’s traffic for four days. Penitent, occasionally defiant, Christie insisted he didn’t know about the scheme. But he said he took full responsibility for the scandal, apologized to the citizens of Fort Lee and promised to get to the bottom of what happened.

Oh wait. That’s not what Christie did at all. The famously fearless governor cancelled his one public appearance of the day, ignored the story until late afternoon, and then issued an email statement saying he’d been “misled” by “a member of my staff.” There’s word he’ll be talking today at 11 a.m. But yesterday, when all the details broke and questions emerged, there was no press conference. No public statement. No apology to Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich or his city or the people of New Jersey for staffers using the crucial George Washington Bridge as a weapon of political destruction, reportedly in retaliation for Sokolich’s refusal to endorse Christie’s re-election bid against Barbara Buono last year.

In a statement so full of word salad it might have come from Sarah Palin, Christie threw an unnamed staff member under the bus – and then resumed his silence. He threw his own presidential hopes under the bus too.

Contrast Christie’s limp response on Wednesday to his shtick a month ago, when he aggressively denied that the Fort Lee lane closures were a form of political reprisal, and even joked that he did it himself. ”I worked the cones actually. Unbeknownst to everybody, I was actually the guy out there. I was in overalls and a hat, but I was the guy working the cones,” he said, mocking reporters, adding “You’re not really serious with that question.” Then he blamed New Jersey Democrats for playing politics, sneering, “It just shows that they really have nothing to do.”

more
http://www.salon.com/2014/01/09/chris_christie_roadkill/

[liberal N proud]

1. Christie's career could be crispy

And in toast!

[DesertRat]

2. Why are people surprised that Christie governs like a Soprano wannabe? n/t

[alterfurz]

6. as has been noted elsewhere, Christie likes to imagine himself as Tony Soprano...

...but he's really more like Ralph Cifaretto.

And let's not let all the bad jokes about Chris Christie's weight distract us from the fact that he's an asshole. -- Andy Borowitz

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. Since the topic has been broached, ...

[spooky3]

3. I think it's even worse than that.

If he truly knew nothing about staff's DIRECTION (not just awareness, etc) in Dec., he would have THEN ordered a full investigation, to protect himself, if for no better reason. That, and his attempt to bully everyone who raised questions, is enough to convince me that he was completely aware of the whole plan before it was implemented. He had to try to intimidate them to try to keep them off the scent.

I realize more proof is needed in a court of law; I am talking about what convinces me (and probably many other voters). And I would not be surprised if that additional evidence is found.

What he does now is not going to save him.

Even if he knew nothing, his staff's "lying" is only a small part of the problem, unlike what the NJ newspaper focused on. It's the action to put so many people at risk, needlessly, and to waste the time, over multiple days, of many people. They are extremely lucky there were not more ambulance or other emergencies, but that does not lessen the outrageousness of their action.

[musiclawyer]

4. And most don't understand the heart attack

Seriousness of using public office for private non monetary gain. It's a crime in virtually every state. The grand jury has not even been called in this yet. Christie 's thugs have no choice but to take the fall or plead the fifth. And they now have hired criminal lawyers . Taking the fifth drags this out indefinitely ... Yes sir. Dude will not be President

[spooky3]

5. Exactly!

[LibGranny]

9. I think you are right! I felt that when Christy was "joking" when he was first

asked about this debacle he already knew about it. Otherwise, why didn't he show some empathy or compassion for those folks in New Jersey who were so adversely affected by this lane closure! His protestations of, "I only found out about this yesterday!" seem to be too obvious an attempt to deflect any blame from himself!

[spooky3]

11. Very good points.

[PM Martin]

12. +1,000,000

Bayonne Milhaus will not be President.

[Blue Idaho]

8. Let's not forget someone died during this little "prank."

Meanwhile Christy is trying to fix the blame anywhere but at his desk. America is learning much about Christy and none of it is very attractive.

[VWolf]

10. Yes, forget 2016. 2014 is much more important right now.

We need to gain some seats.

[vkkv]

13. Why would the HEAD OF THE PORT AUTHORITY even CONSIDER such a STUPID request by a ChristyCream aide?

Why would the HEAD OF THE PORT AUTHORITY even CONSIDER such a STUPID request by a ChristyCream aide?

Answer - He knew it came from ChristyCream himself.

[LynneSin]

14. I don't think the NY side of the Port Authority was even aware of what happened

but were the ones that fixed the problems when they realized what was going on.

[BobUp]

15. yay