Christie Fires Aide in Bridge Scandal as U.S. Opens Inquiry

[WestVirginiaRebel]

NY Times:

Gov. Chris Christie repeatedly apologized to the people of New Jersey on Thursday, saying he was “embarrassed and humiliated” by revelations that a top aide and appointees ordered the closing of lanes to the George Washington Bridge to deliberately snarl traffic as an act of political vengeance.

 

In a somber and humbling news conference in Trenton, Mr. Christie said he was “blindsided” when he learned of a series of emails that showed intimate involvement by close associates to punish a Democratic mayor who had declined to endorse the governor for his re-election.

 

Mr. Christie’s comments came after weeks of steadfast denials by the governor that his administration was involved.

 

“I am a very sad person today,” he said.

 

Just as the news conference began, the United States attorney’s office confirmed that it would open a preliminary inquiry into what led to four days of gridlock in Fort Lee, N.J., in September.

________

 

Can Christie survive?

[SrWoodchuck]

@WestVirginiaRebel

 

 

Via iOTW

[Valin]

Can Christie survive?

Yes. This in spite of the fact that this is a huge major mega scandal, and possibly the end of the world as we know it.

 

[Valin]

TV gives 'Bridgegate' 17 times more coverage in 1 day than IRS scandal in 6 months

PAUL BEDARD

JANUARY 9, 2014 AT 4:42 PM

 

The Big Three networks, in a frenzy over New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's traffic headache dubbed “Bridgegate,” have devoted a whopping 34 minutes and 28 seconds of coverage to the affair in just the last 24 hours.

 

By comparison, that's 17 times the two minutes, eight seconds devoted to President Obama's IRS scandal in the last six months, according to an analysis by the Media Research Center.

 

“While routinely burying new stories on the IRS scandal, the media practically fell over themselves to start taking shots at the potential 2016 Republican presidential nominee,” said the conservative media watchdog.

 

(Snip)

[Valin]

Crisp Christie?

Steven Hayward

1/10/14

 

The case of Chris Christie presents a certain amount of irony for the Power Line editorial board. Unlike Paul, I tend to like Christie, and think his overly enthusiastic embrace of Obama before the election in 2012 is possibly forgivable for the simple reason that it stemmed from his effusive style that has made him so effective on other fronts (like smacking public employee unions around), and as Churchill liked to remark, you have to take the rough with the smooth. My broader doubts about him do however connect with his current agony.

 

On the other hand, I think Gridlockgate is a big deal and potentially fatal to Christies prospectsperhaps deservedly so. National Review Online asked me to comment yesterday, which I obliged with Crisp Christie? Several commenters have misunderstood my argument (with one complaining that Power Line has invaded The Corner), so lets revise and extend the argument, as they say in the House.

 

John is quite right that Piers Morgan is ridiculous to say that Gridlockgate is worse than Watergate, though may I say that if Christie does become president, Id support arbitrary executive action to revoke Morgans visa and deport him. (Actually by now Im guessing CNNs management might secretly support this, too, to save them further embarrassment and slumping ratings.) But I do think this scandal has more political traction with the public than the IRS scandal. Not that it shouldquite the opposite; just that is does. The acts of Christies minions seem petty and affecting mostly blameless citizens; they dont even rise to the Nixonian standard of going directly after your enemies. The public, as I said on NRO, seems forgiving of foreign policy scandals, especially when the president takes responsibility and admits mistakes (see: JFK and Bay of Pigs, Reagan and Iran-Contra).

 

(Snip)

[Valin]

With Apologies to the Kingston Trio

 

Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Christie

On a windy New Jersey day

He put french fries in his pocket, kissed his wife and family

Tried to drive over to Fort Lee

 

Well, did he ever shut up?

No he never shut up and hes still in the Q&A

We may ride forever through the streets of Jersey

Cause of the man who shut down the lanes

 

Christie fired the guilty and responded to questions

For what seemed an eternity

When he said he was sorry, Sokolich told him, stay in Trenton

Dont you come to dear old Fort Lee

 

But did he ever shut up?

No he never shut up and we dont know who to blame

We may ride forever through the streets of Jersey

Cause of the man who shut down the lanes

 

Now, all day long Christie fielded questions

Crying, What about 2016?

How can I run for the presidency

When I cant even drive to Fort Lee?

 

But did he ever shut up?

No he never shut up though his aides are out of work

We may ride forever through the streets of Jersey

Cause the lanes were closed by a jerk.

 

Christies wife goes down to the old press conference

Every day at quarter past two

Past crowds of reporters she hands Chris a sandwich

And a River Horse Oatmeal or two

 

But did he ever shut up?

No he never shut up and the mike is open yet

We may drive forever through the streets of Jersey

To pay off Bridget Kelleys debt

 

Now, ye citizens of Jersey

Dont you think its a scandal

How the people have to sit and wait?

Open the lanes and end the press conference

Get poor Christie off to old Fort Lee

 

Or else hell never shut up

No hell never shut up and well find him at the fridge

We may drive forever through the streets of Jersey

Never reaching the GW Bridge.