Bridgeghazi: Chris Christie ‘Embarrassed’ - Close Ally Takes 5th Amendment

The ship is sinking
Politics • Views: 13,401

Today, Chris Christie is seeing his hopes for a presidential campaign tearing apart like frayed gauze: Chris Christie: ‘I Am Embarrassed’.

“It is heartbreaking to me that I wasn’t told the truth,” the New Jersey governor and potential 2016 presidential candidate told reporters at a 107-minute news conference in Trenton. “I’m a very loyal guy, and I expect loyalty in return, and lying to me is not an exhibition of loyalty.”

“I am embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my team. There is no doubt in my mind that the conduct they exhibited is completely unacceptable,” he added. “It showed a lack of respect for the appropriate role of government and the people that were trusted to serve.”

Christie announced he had immediately fired Bridget Kelly, a deputy chief of staff in his office who sent an email that it was “time for traffic problems in Fort Lee” at a time when Christie’s campaign was seeking an endorsement from the Democratic mayor of the city. Christie said Kelly had failed to come forward to explain earlier when he challenged his staff say if they had knowledge of the lane closures.

“She was not given the opportunity to explain why she lied,” Christie said.

Meanwhile, in testimony before the New Jersey Assembly Transportation Committee, close Christie ally David Wildstein repeatedly pleaded the 5th Amendment.

Video

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44 comments
1 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:47:19am

The question that’s going to get asked again and again is why his staff would think that getting back at a mayor that Christie claims he doesn’t even remember, whose endorsement he wasn’t looking for, would be something he’d approve of. And if they were doing this to gain his favor, why keep it hidden from him?

2 Kragar  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:47:34am

PLEAD DA FIF

Youtube Video

3 Kragar  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:49:48am

re: #1 Targetpractice

The question that’s going to get asked again and again is why his staff would think that getting back at a mayor that Christie claims he doesn’t even remember, whose endorsement he wasn’t looking for, would be something he’d approve of. And if they were doing this to gain his favor, why keep it hidden from him?

Its not so much the rampant corruption and petty political vendettas as it the utter incompetence they’ve shown in covering up their actions.

4 Gus  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:50:32am

“Can America trust this man with the nuclear football?”
— 2016

5 Snarknado!  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:50:33am

re: #3 Kragar

Its not so much the rampant corruption and petty political vendettas as it the utter incompetence they’ve shown in covering up their actions.

You’ve been watching The Daily Show?

/

6 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:50:35am

Christie fired Kelly without speaking to her once the emails were made public yesterday.

He also asked his two-time campaign manager, Bill Stepien, to step down as a consultant to the Republican Governor’s Association and to withdraw his name from consideration to be the head of the state Republican Party.

Yet, he allowed Port Authority Chairman David Samson to stay on even though he was repeatedly mentioned and included in emails between Kelly and Wildstein (who previously resigned along with Bill Baroni).

Wildstein’s going through the 5th Amendment motions now - refusing to answer questions in the state legislative hearings about the lane closures.

Christie’s problems aren’t going away anytime soon over this.

And his successor at the US Attorney’s office, David Fishman, is now investigating the matter in addition to the OIG and Legislature.

7 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:51:18am

re: #3 Kragar

Its not so much the rampant corruption and petty political vendettas as it the utter incompetence they’ve shown in covering up their actions.

“If we communicate through private emails and text messages, nobody will be able to find out! Brilliant!”

8 jaunte  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:52:39am

re: #6 lawhawk

Christie fired Kelly without speaking to her once the emails were made public yesterday.

“I don’t wannit to look like I even could know anything.”

9 Kragar  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:52:43am

re: #7 Targetpractice

“If we communicate through private emails and text messages, nobody will be able to find out! Brilliant!”

“I told you guys we should have used pig Latin, but NOOO.”

11 Lidane  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:55:36am
12 Pie-onist Overlord  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:55:55am

Matty Moroun called, he wants to know if he can buy the GW Bridge.

13 Lidane  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:57:52am
14 Gus  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:58:03am

re: #11 Lidane

[Embedded content]

O.o

15 erik_t  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:58:05am

Any hypothetical traffic study would, as a work of the State of New Jersey and/or the Port Authority, presumably become a matter of public record. No doubt there are many academics in the fields of civil engineering and city planning who were legitimately interested in reading such a report, and would have noticed that no report was actually forthcoming.

It’s such a stupid lie. There’s a rather robust built-in timer.

16 jayjaybear  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:58:08am

re: #11 Lidane

That should really be an Onion article, kind of like:

“‘Christie’s the greatest!’ several mayors told this reporter while glancing nervously at a small group of nearby state highway workers sitting in a truck full of lane barriers.”

17 Internet Tough Guy  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 10:59:00am

re: #13 Lidane

“Losers line up to support Chris Christie.”

18 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:00:03am

I liked that he says he hasn’t been able to sleep for the last two nights…yet he just found out about the emails yesterday. Freudian slip?

19 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:00:26am

re: #4 Gus

“Can America trust this man with the nuclear football a stick of mortadella?”
— 2016

20 Gus  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:01:24am

Fitting for the Know Nothing Party.

21 erik_t  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:02:29am

re: #18 Targetpractice

I liked that he says he hasn’t been able to sleep for the last two nights…yet he just found out about the emails yesterday. Freudian slip?

Kittens give Morbo Christie gas.

22 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:02:39am

re: #15 erik_t

Any hypothetical traffic study would, as a work of the State of New Jersey and/or the Port Authority, presumably become a matter of public record. No doubt there are many academics in the fields of civil engineering and city planning who were legitimately interested in reading such a report, and would have noticed that no report was actually forthcoming.

It’s such a stupid lie. There’s a rather robust built-in timer.

Would also show up on state employee workorders or private firm contract documents. Not going away.

23 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:04:28am

Daily Caller is trying to claim that Fishman is politically motivated in going after Christie with his opening of an investigation. They claim he raised funds for Hillary’s campaign. Therefore, this must be politically motivated.


Yeah, let’s just forget that it was a political vendetta that put public safety at issue in Fort Lee. Or that there is the possibility for criminal charges against administration officials that could result.

Or that Christie used to be the federal prosecutor and Fishman assumed the role.

24 erik_t  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:05:51am

re: #23 lawhawk

Daily Caller is trying to claim that Fishman is politically motivated in going after Christie with his opening of an investigation. They claim he raised funds for Hillary’s campaign. Therefore, this must be politically motivated.

Okay, I’ll play.

.
.
So?
.
.

Did Christie (and/or his administration) close bridge lanes to fuck with the people of Fort Lee, or didn’t he?

25 Kragar  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:06:23am

re: #24 erik_t

Okay, I’ll play.

.
.
So?
.
.

Did Christie (and/or his administration) close bridge lanes to fuck with the people of Port Lee, or didn’t he?

HILLARY CLINTON! BENGHAZI! ARGLE BARGLE!

26 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:08:40am

When the Port Authority engages in traffic studies relating to its infrastructure, it tends to put out press releases and publishes studies.

No action at the GWB can be taken lightly considering that it is the nation’s busiest crossing. Any kind of traffic disturbance, even on adjoining bridges (like the Alexander Hamilton Bridge span replacement) get the Port Authority to release documents about traffic flow and reducing traffic.

This “study” was anything but. It was about imposing traffic, used communications outside regular official channels, and everyone involved needs to be held accountable.

27 Kragar  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:09:25am
28 Gus  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:10:27am

re: #26 lawhawk

When the Port Authority engages in traffic studies relating to its infrastructure, it tends to put out press releases and publishes studies.

No action at the GWB can be taken lightly considering that it is the nation’s busiest crossing. Any kind of traffic disturbance, even on adjoining bridges (like the Alexander Hamilton Bridge span replacement) get the Port Authority to release documents about traffic flow and reducing traffic.

This “study” was anything but. It was about imposing traffic, used communications outside regular official channels, and everyone involved needs to be held accountable.

Make. Page.

29 makeitstop  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:12:00am

Contempt of committee. Boom.

30 Bubblehead II  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:12:12am

Here comes the contempt charge against Wildstein.

My surprise, let me show you.

31 teresa  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:12:16am

I think now that the US Attorney is looking at this, it is over for Christie. In fact he could be another Bob McDonnell. The US Attorney is going to see if this sort of thing has happened before and after this incident, I would be surprised if they didn’t find anything else. Christie’s cronies will end him.. LOL.

32 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:12:24am

re: #13 Lidane

[Embedded content]

Once Chris Christie has the lead I don’t think he’s going to give it up.

33 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:15:29am

re: #32 Dark_Falcon

Once Chris Christie has the lead I don’t think he’s going to give it up.

I presume that’s miss a sarc tag or three?

34 Dr. Matt  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:19:15am

Ugh, I’m already bored with #Bridgeghazi. How can the teahadists be so persistent over fake scandals?

35 Bulworth  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:20:45am

re: #34 Dr. Matt

Bridgeghazi is ancient history now. Can’t live in the past. Have to move forward, look ahead. Stop beating a dead horse. It’s all about the future. /

36 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:23:07am

re: #33 William Barnett-Lewis

I presume that’s miss a sarc tag or three?

Yep. I didn’t think they were needed, though. That Morrisism is well enough known on LGF that it would be recognized.

37 Bubblehead II  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:24:24am

Wildsteins attorney ended with a request for State and Federal immunity right at the end of the hearing. Again my surprise.

38 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:29:22am

re: #36 Dark_Falcon

Yep. I didn’t think they were needed, though. That Morrisism is well enough known on LGF that it would be recognized.

Figured as much but it’s been a strange week…

39 sagehen  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:37:41am

re: #37 Bubblehead II

Wildsteins attorney ended with a request for State and Federal immunity right at the end of the hearing. Again my surprise.

Depending what he’s got to offer in exchange? Could be worth it.

40 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:37:50am

re: #38 William Barnett-Lewis

Figured as much but it’s been a strange week…

I understand. The stresses of the Packers losing coupled with the polar vortex would throw any cheesehead for a loop. :D

Come on, let’s head upstairs.

41 BusyMonster  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:38:00am

Everyone keeps chortling over Christie’s lie that he was up two nights worrying about what he’s only learned the night before.

I’m chortling because if he was only worried about this since last night, he’s more out of the loop of his administration than a guy (me) who lives hundreds of miles away, doesn’t get cable, broadcast, newspapers, or radio, reads a handful of blogs like this, and still knew several weeks ago that Chris Christie’s buddies closed a major bridge for a petty vendetta and it was going to fuck his administration right over, which it now has.

I wish someone would parse his protestations of ignorance and remember that his job is to know what’s going on … so he’s admitting point-blank that he is either a massive fucking liar, or more removed from his own job (and therefore unsuited to be doing it) than a random blog-commenter that lives three or four states away.

42 ObserverArt  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:54:45am

re: #32 Dark_Falcon

Once Chris Christie has the lead I don’t think he’s going to give it up.

The lead in what???

You are hoping this all blows over and he is still viable, right?

43 ObserverArt  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 11:55:53am

re: #36 Dark_Falcon

Yep. I didn’t think they were needed, though. That Morrisism is well enough known on LGF that it would be recognized.

Oh. No, sarc tags called for.

44 RealityBasedSteve  Thu, Jan 9, 2014 12:05:22pm

re: #22 Decatur Deb

Would also show up on state employee workorders or private firm contract documents. Not going away.

One would also suspect that there would be some documentation for the need for the study, what you’re trying to find out, little details like that. I may get up in the morning and say “I think I’ll have eggs for breakfast” without any planning, but I would hope that state agencies work a bit differently.

RBS


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