He's talking a good game about accountability for the mysterious bridge closing last year but one person he is not interested in holding accountable is: himself.
"New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday he is “outraged” by newly released documents linking a senior member of his staff to the closure of lanes on a major bridge in September — shutdowns that caused massive traffic jams and sparked allegations that the closures were the result of political retribution.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/chris-christie-aides-bridge-emails-101897.html#ixzz2prOH2Im6
"The former federal prosecutor-turned-tough talking governor finished his reelection race last year on a spectacular high note: The only Republican to win an important election in 2013, Christie seemed well positioned to present himself as the cure for what ails the GOP, boasting a huge victory margin in a solidly blue state that included a narrow majority of the Hispanic vote and support from some corners of organized labor."
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/chris-christie-bridge-scandal-101909.html#ixzz2prOl2v7Y
"New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday he is “outraged” by newly released documents linking a senior member of his staff to the closure of lanes on a major bridge in September — shutdowns that caused massive traffic jams and sparked allegations that the closures were the result of political retribution.
The Republican, a likely 2016 presidential candidate, denied personal knowledge of any plans to close the lanes and vowed that “people will be held responsible for their actions.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/chris-christie-aides-bridge-emails-101897.html#ixzz2prOH2Im6
Yes, he's a 'likely 2016 presidential candidate' but is he maybe a little less likely now? Well maybe not, maybe so, but surely his stock is taking a beating.
"For the first time in his short career as a national political figure, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is in dire peril of losing control of his own story – and perhaps a lot more than that."
"The former federal prosecutor-turned-tough talking governor finished his reelection race last year on a spectacular high note: The only Republican to win an important election in 2013, Christie seemed well positioned to present himself as the cure for what ails the GOP, boasting a huge victory margin in a solidly blue state that included a narrow majority of the Hispanic vote and support from some corners of organized labor."
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/chris-christie-bridge-scandal-101909.html#ixzz2prOl2v7Y
This is all going to saddle him with some serious baggage going into 2016. This is already much more embarrassing than Benghazi which the GOP hoped to tarnish Hillary Clinton with-in truth, Benghazi is more embarrassing for those who push the story than those who are accused.
This was a story that Christy had ignored for months, mocking reporters who asked questions about it. Now he has to admit that the stories are true yet somehow absolve himself of any responsibility. Yet in the best case scenario, we're left to believe that his high ranking aides did this appalling thing against his will and without his knowledge, perhaps but to his benefit in order to punish a Mayor who failed to pay him enough homage.
"As they stand now, the facts seem to leave Christie with only a few options for explaining his way out of the situation: Either his aides and appointees deceived him about the Fort Lee flap or he never asked for a full account of their involvement. Both explanations would absolve Christie himself of some responsibility, but neither would speak well of his executive leadership.
This was a story that Christy had ignored for months, mocking reporters who asked questions about it. Now he has to admit that the stories are true yet somehow absolve himself of any responsibility. Yet in the best case scenario, we're left to believe that his high ranking aides did this appalling thing against his will and without his knowledge, perhaps but to his benefit in order to punish a Mayor who failed to pay him enough homage.
"As they stand now, the facts seem to leave Christie with only a few options for explaining his way out of the situation: Either his aides and appointees deceived him about the Fort Lee flap or he never asked for a full account of their involvement. Both explanations would absolve Christie himself of some responsibility, but neither would speak well of his executive leadership.
Even the best case scenario is pretty embarrassing.
“Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” adviser Bridget Anne Kelly wrote, according to the Record. In a separate message, Port Authority appointee David Wildstein snickered that it would be a “tough November for this little Serbian” – meaning Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, who is actually of Croatian descent.
"It remains to be seen if Christie himself had anything to do with the lane closures near the George Washington Bridge, which connects northern New Jersey to Manhattan. But the governor only weeks ago dismissed questions about the possible involvement of his aides as “speculation by folks who want to play political games” – a line that is plainly untenable at this point."
"Even if it truly happened without his knowledge-but done deliberately to benefit him and punish those who failed to do his bidding it's just a real black eye. How you you come back from this to run for President of the United States?"
"In private, Washington Republicans were aghast at the Christie report, expressing shock that such a promising politician could find himself entangled in such a cartoonish scandal – and that high-level aides to a prominent governor could be so stupid as to guffaw in an email that the people damaged by the lane closures were “the children of Buono voters.” (Democratic state Sen. Barbara Buono was the underfunded challenger whom Christie easily dispatched."
The specter of high ranking aides of the New Jersey Governor plotting to inconvenience citizens they believe voted for his opponent is-I just have to say it-Nixonian.
Harry Truman said the 'the buck stops here.' Governor Christy blames his Administration's Nixonian behavior all on his high ranking staff members.
P.S. As he's been forced to admit that, yes, this really did happen and so those reporters he mocked were not simply playing political game if he's going to offer them an apology. Attacking reporters for asking legitimate questions that turn out to be the truth is another good definition of a bully-which is what his opponents in both parties have long maintained.
P.S. As he's been forced to admit that, yes, this really did happen and so those reporters he mocked were not simply playing political game if he's going to offer them an apology. Attacking reporters for asking legitimate questions that turn out to be the truth is another good definition of a bully-which is what his opponents in both parties have long maintained.
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