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[RustyNails]

CNN: The panel investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal says it will release hundreds of pages of documents on Friday.

.

 

[Cyan]

No wonder Christie can't sleep.

 

[Jag]

My confusion is this exchange. Kelly is a deputy chief of staff in Christie's office. Wildstein is the head of Port Authority. Why would the head of PA listen to a deputy officer from Governor's office on such a major gambit? There is a missing link.

Because he wasn't the head of the PA. He was the director of interstate capital projects and the traffic study was something that would fall under his domain. The actual Executive Director of the PA wrote an email during the incident asking WTF was going on.

I find it interesting that Christie fired his aid without ever speaking to her. He obviously wants to maintain some sort of deniability and couldn't do that if she reminded him that he was the one who ordered the code red.

 

[Deku Tree]

This seems to be the go to strategy of a lot of public figures in trouble: Deny. Deny. Deny. Blame your close confidants completely if they get caught red handed and act surprised. Only admit wrongdoing when a smoking gun becomes public, and only admit it to the bare minimum extent that the smoking gun implicates you. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[Dan]

My confusion is this exchange. Kelly is a deputy chief of staff in Christie's office. Wildstein is the head of Port Authority. Why would the head of PA listen to a deputy officer from Governor's office on such a major gambit? There is a missing link.

The Port Authority is jointly run by New York and New Jersey. Christie appointed Bill Baroni to be the PA's Deputy Executive Director. Christie claims it was entirely Baroni's idea to hire Wildstein to the Port Authority in a lower position.

Christie and Wildstein attended high school together. Christie claims they were never friends, and loosely reconnected in government around 2000, and at this point he claims they only knew each other to the extent that they would pass each other in halls.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/09/who-is-david-wildstein/

"He's made a point to stay in the shadows and be the person directing the show from behind the curtain," said Shawn Boburg, a reporter for the Bergen County Record who wrote a profile of Wildstein in 2012.

Until he resigned last month, Wildstein was the director of interstate capital projects for the New York and New Jersey Port Authority. But his unofficial title was maybe even more important: Chris Christie confidante.

"Wildstein was known as the Governor's eyes and ears inside this massive agency," Boburg said.

With his appointment to the Port Authority, Wildstein made his reputation as being a politically powerful operative, according to Boburg.

"He was known for walking the halls, monitoring other executives. He was wildly feared and admired for his work ethic, his intelligence, and his political savvy," Boburg said.

The other tenet of his reputation? Loyalty.

"He was very loyal to the governor. Extremely loyal. Some people described him as vindictive. He was a very powerful position at this transportation agency and the main criticism of him there was that he was much more political than… the issues this agency is dedicated to," Boburg said.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

.

Can't wait to see if he ends up going down in flames.

 

[Cloudy]

I find it interesting that Christie fired his aid without ever speaking to her

I can't believe the media is letting him get away with this

 

[Knoxcore]

Seems like Rachel Maddow has a new theory.

The theory is it has nothing to do with Sokolich's non-endorsement. It has everything to do with political vengeance against Democrats because Democrats refused to confirm Christie's Supreme Court nominees. Why did Democrats refuse? Christie refused to reappoint the only black member on the court, John Wallace, for tenure when his seven year term was up. This was the first time a Governor had refused tenure for a Justice in the six decades of the New Jersey Constitution. Democrats decided not to confirm anyone for that position. When another Justice was up for tenure, a Republican, Christie pulled her reappointment for tenure as Democrats signaled she will have a tough reconfirmation. This was the second time a Justice was refused tenure in six decades. Christie called Democrats "animals" for their tactics. All this happened on August 12. On the morning on August 13, Wildstein got the ok to cause traffic in Fort Lee by Christie's Deputy Chief of Staff. Who is the Senate representative for Fort Lee? The Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate, Loretta Weinberg.

 

[lupinko]

NJGaf what do you think of hot pockets mayor?

 

[Deleted member 284]

Seems like Rachel Maddow has a new theory.

The theory is it has nothing to do with Sokolich's non-endorsement. It has everything to do with political vengeance against Democrats because Democrats refused to confirm Christie's Supreme Court nominees. Why did Democrats refuse? Christie refused to reappoint the only black member on the court, John Wallace, for tenure when his seven year term was up. This was the first time a Governor had refused tenure for a Justice in the six decades of the New Jersey Constitution. Democrats decided not to confirm anyone for that position. When another Justice was up for tenure, a Republican, Christie pulled her reappointment for tenure as Democrats signaled she will have a tough reconfirmation. This was the second time a Justice was refused tenure in six decades. Christie called Democrats "animals" for their tactics. All this happened on August 12. On the morning on August 13, Wildstein got the ok to cause traffic in Fort Lee by Christie's Deputy Chief of Staff. Who is the Senate representative for Fort Lee? The Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate, Loretta Weinberg.

Shit, I saw this and this makes much more sense. And a hell of a lot worse.

 

[Lamel]

NJGaf what do you think of hot pockets mayor?

He's a douche with some good moments here and there (Sandy recovery).

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Is that why Loretta Weinberg was on Maddow's show tonight?

 

[fallagin]

Seems like Rachel Maddow has a new theory.

The theory is it has nothing to do with Sokolich's non-endorsement. It has everything to do with political vengeance against Democrats because Democrats refused to confirm Christie's Supreme Court nominees. Why did Democrats refuse? Christie refused to reappoint the only black member on the court, John Wallace, for tenure when his seven year term was up. This was the first time a Governor had refused tenure for a Justice in the six decades of the New Jersey Constitution. Democrats decided not to confirm anyone for that position. When another Justice was up for tenure, a Republican, Christie pulled her reappointment for tenure as Democrats signaled she will have a tough reconfirmation. This was the second time a Justice was refused tenure in six decades. Christie called Democrats "animals" for their tactics. All this happened on August 12. On the morning on August 13, Wildstein got the ok to cause traffic in Fort Lee by Christie's Deputy Chief of Staff. Who is the Senate representative for Fort Lee? The Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate, Loretta Weinberg.

Yep, Maddow blew this shit wide open. If this gets to the mainstream press then that is blood in the water.

 

[Chumly]

I can't believe the media is letting him get away with this

Seriously wtf? He should be grilled on that.

 

[SlowRevolution]

Is that why Loretta Weinberg was on Maddow's show tonight?

Maddow said that Weinberg had no clue she was going to talk about that.

 

[Qazaq]

Some info from DailyKos. VERY VERY VERY interesting.

We know that Bill Baroni, the deputy executive director of the Port Authority who was appointed by Christie, after the closure were in place, was actively involved in keeping information from the mayor of Ft. Lee and was constantly contacting Wildstein for what he should tell the mayor. Then Wildstein contacted Baroni when the Wall Street Journal reporter Tedd Mann called his cellphone. Baroni replied, “Jesus,” then told Wildstein to call Michael Drewniak, Christie’s press secretary. This is in the middle of September. So Wildstein, who knew exactly what was going on, called Christie's own press secretary to get direction on what to say to the press. But Drewniak had no idea that Wildstein and Kelly had ordered the closures?

On November 25, Baroni testified before the legislative committee and stated that the lane closures were part of a traffic study. Later that very same day Baroni texted Wildstein to find out about “Trenton feedback”. When Wildstein told him “good,” Baroni said, “Just good? Shit.”

Wildstein then said he has only sent text messages to Bridget Kelly and another woman named Nicole who were “VERY happy.” He added that, “Both said you are doing great” and someone named Charlie also said Baroni did well. So who are Nicole and Charlie? Well, during the legislative hearing today, Assemblyman Wisniewski asked Wildstein about the email and whether Charlie referred to Charlie McKenna. Of course, Wildstein neither confirmed nor denied this was accurate, but I am assuming Wisniewski is probably correct. Charles McKenna is none other than Chief Counsel to Governor Chris Christie.

As for the identity of “Nicole”, I was able to locate one Nicole in news accounts about Christie. Nicole Davidman worked for the NJ Republican Party until she stepped down in late 2012 to work for Chris Christie’s reelection campaign. Around that time she also wed none other than Michael Drewniak, Christie’s press secretary/spokesman. She is considered one of the 100 most powerful people in New Jersey business and the backbone of GOP and Christie’s fundraising. USA Today described her as Christie’s campaign finance director.

So when Wildstein texted his contacts on Christie's staff to find out if they were happy with what Baroni said in front of the committee, Wildstein did not just text Kelly, the person on whom Christie is blaming everything. No, Wildstein also contacted Christie's own attorney, McKenna, and his campaign finance manager, Davidman-Drewniak. But we are supposed to believe that Wildstein and Kelly were the only ones who discussed that they ordered the closures?

Next we have, on December 5, Wildstein sending Michael Drewniak an email from his personal email, thanking him for his “sound advice last night,” and saying “I always appreciate your friendship”. Drewniak acknowledged the dinner by thanking Wildstein for “a great dinner". The very next day, Wildstein announced he would resign from the Port Authority at the end of the year. Given that Wildstein felt he had to resign, is it remotely plausible that he and Drewniak did not discuss that Wildstein ordered the closures? Are you kidding me?

So the question I have is this: is it really plausible that Christie had no idea what Kelly and Wildstein did, given that Wildstein contacted Kelly, Davidman (the campaign finance manager), and McKenna (Christie’s attorney), to check on their reaction to how Baroni did during his testimony? Wildstein certainly knew the closures were not part of a study, and he was the person talking to not just Kelly, but members of Christie’s reelection staff and his attorney. And Baroni, the night before he decided to retire, was given “advice” by Drewniak, Christie’s press secretary and Davidman’s husband.

Christie’s entire staff was in damage control; controlling the message that went out to reporters from Wildstein and Baroni and monitoring what Baroni said in the committee hearing and even his resignation.

This wasn’t limited to Kelly. Everyone on Christie’s staff was involved.

 

[Aylinato]

Seems like Rachel Maddow has a new theory.

The theory is it has nothing to do with Sokolich's non-endorsement. It has everything to do with political vengeance against Democrats because Democrats refused to confirm Christie's Supreme Court nominees. Why did Democrats refuse? Christie refused to reappoint the only black member on the court, John Wallace, for tenure when his seven year term was up. This was the first time a Governor had refused tenure for a Justice in the six decades of the New Jersey Constitution. Democrats decided not to confirm anyone for that position. When another Justice was up for tenure, a Republican, Christie pulled her reappointment for tenure as Democrats signaled she will have a tough reconfirmation. This was the second time a Justice was refused tenure in six decades. Christie called Democrats "animals" for their tactics. All this happened on August 12. On the morning on August 13, Wildstein got the ok to cause traffic in Fort Lee by Christie's Deputy Chief of Staff. Who is the Senate representative for Fort Lee? The Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate, Loretta Weinberg.

www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=749060

I made a new thread just for that.

 

[Mutanthands]

Seems like Rachel Maddow has a new theory.

The theory is it has nothing to do with Sokolich's non-endorsement. It has everything to do with political vengeance against Democrats because Democrats refused to confirm Christie's Supreme Court nominees. Why did Democrats refuse? Christie refused to reappoint the only black member on the court, John Wallace, for tenure when his seven year term was up. This was the first time a Governor had refused tenure for a Justice in the six decades of the New Jersey Constitution. Democrats decided not to confirm anyone for that position. When another Justice was up for tenure, a Republican, Christie pulled her reappointment for tenure as Democrats signaled she will have a tough reconfirmation. This was the second time a Justice was refused tenure in six decades. Christie called Democrats "animals" for their tactics. All this happened on August 12. On the morning on August 13, Wildstein got the ok to cause traffic in Fort Lee by Christie's Deputy Chief of Staff. Who is the Senate representative for Fort Lee? The Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate, Loretta Weinberg.

Woah. Bombshell.

 

[GaimeGuy]

I think he'll get through this no problem. I mean, if the POTUS, who was also married, can have a inappropriate relationship with a White House aid, then lie about it under oath, get impeached, but still go on to be remembered as a good president and continue to be a leader of a political party, Christie can get through this.

Getting a blowjob and lying about it is in no way shape or form comparable to sabotaging public infrastructure because of a petty grudge against the mayor of a town in the vicinity of the infrastructure.

Jesus christ, dude.

 

[Schattenjäger]

Getting a blowjob and lying about it is in no way shape or form comparable to sabotaging public infrastructure because of a petty grudge against the mayor of a town in the vicinity of the infrastructure.

Jesus christ, dude.

Ummm it's much worse
Considering it's the president and he's under oath

But not sure why that was even brought up in this thread

 

[GaimeGuy]

You've two powerful politicans. One betrayed the public trust by lying. The other could very well be lying, even though he says he has no knowledge what his staff was doing. The point is the dishonesty. Clinton lied but recovered. Christie could be lying, but in 2 years no one will give a fuck about a traffic jam in NJ.

IT'S NOT THE LYING.

I don't give a shit if clinton got a blowjob and lied about it. That's none of my fucking business. Or yours. Or anyone other than him and his immediate famaily.

 

[GaimeGuy]

Ummm it's much worse
Considering it's the president and he's under oath

But not sure why that was even brought up in this thread

No, I don't care if you're under oath, lying about getting a blowjob is NOTHING.

 

[Schattenjäger]

Ok let's agree to disagree

Back to this moron
The only thing that makes me believe him is that he can't possibly be that stupid
It's unbelievable

 

[Savitar]

Seems like Rachel Maddow has a new theory.

The theory is it has nothing to do with Sokolich's non-endorsement. It has everything to do with political vengeance against Democrats because Democrats refused to confirm Christie's Supreme Court nominees. Why did Democrats refuse? Christie refused to reappoint the only black member on the court, John Wallace, for tenure when his seven year term was up. This was the first time a Governor had refused tenure for a Justice in the six decades of the New Jersey Constitution. Democrats decided not to confirm anyone for that position. When another Justice was up for tenure, a Republican, Christie pulled her reappointment for tenure as Democrats signaled she will have a tough reconfirmation. This was the second time a Justice was refused tenure in six decades. Christie called Democrats "animals" for their tactics. All this happened on August 12. On the morning on August 13, Wildstein got the ok to cause traffic in Fort Lee by Christie's Deputy Chief of Staff. Who is the Senate representative for Fort Lee? The Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate, Loretta Weinberg.

This makes so much more sense than him doing this because one Democrat didn't support him.

 

[shadyspace]

NJGaf what do you think of hot pockets mayor?

At least he's interesting. Corzine and McGreevy were boring as hell.

 

[Gorillaz]

So how bad did he shit the bed for a run for the repub ticket? I mean we are 2 years out but will this just end up as a blip on the radar then? since everyone is talking about him running in 2016

 

[Savitar]

So how bad did he shit the bed for a run for the repub ticket? I mean we are 2 years out but will this just end up as a blip on the radar then? since everyone is talking about him running in 2016

Republicans seem to hate him more than Romney.

And they really did not like Romney so much as barely tolerate.

 

[thcsquad]

Ummm it's much worse
Considering it's the president and he's under oath

But not sure why that was even brought up in this thread

A blowjob? Seriously?

I'll put it this way: You have a person who (allegedly) sabotaged a hugely important piece of public infrastructure, interfering with school, work, and in some cases emergency responders as a petty political 'f*** you' move. Do you want to give this person an army?

 

[ggnoobIGN]

Ummm it's much worse
Considering it's the president and he's under oath

But not sure why that was even brought up in this thread

This has to be the lamest scandal I've ever heard. All pettynesd. If this is the worst dirt on Christie, dude is going to coast to the presidency. Though I have to imagine someone has more.

 

[Htown]

No, I don't care if you're under oath, lying about getting a blowjob is NOTHING.

No. You don't lie under oath.

Doesn't matter if it's a totally bullshit question or not, perjury is perjury.

 

[Drakeon]

This has to be the lamest scandal I've ever heard. All pettynesd. If this is the worst dirt on Christie, dude is going to coast to the presidency. Though I have to imagine someone has more.

You're right, who gives a fuck about public corruption?

 

[ggnoobIGN]

You're right, who gives a fuck about public corruption?

Nobody in a week.

 

[smokeandmirrors]

This has to be the lamest scandal I've ever heard. All pettynesd. If this is the worst dirt on Christie, dude is going to coast to the presidency. Though I have to imagine someone has more.

There is nothing lame about abusing your political power to make people suffer all because of petty political differences.

You know, closing most of the lanes on the busiest bridge in the entire world is nothing. Everyone go home.

 

[Gorillaz]

Republicans seem to hate him more than Romney.

And they really did not like Romney so much as barely tolerate.

Isn't he considered one of the best choices to run tho for them? having a nice little talk about it with the old man, and he was mentioning how it was probably there best choice but the GOP might not be up to dealing with him. Also if he's hated more then Romney then

2016 going to be an interesting one

 

[ibitegirls]

No, I don't care if you're under oath, lying about getting a blowjob is NOTHING.

hahahha. BJ vs. jamming busiest bridge in the world and putting peoples lives at risk... JEEEZ wonder whats worse.

LOLL

 

[ggnoobIGN]

There is nothing lame about abusing your political power to make people suffer all because of petty political differences.

You know, closing most of the lanes on the busiest bridge in the entire world is nothing. Everyone go home.

It's all relative though in regards to his campaign hopes. If this is seriously the worst dirt they can get on him, this man is golden.

 

[Cagey]

NJGaf what do you think of hot pockets mayor?

I appreciate how Jersey he is. Agree with him on some issues, disagree on a slew of other issues, thought he excellently fulfilled the role of Head of State in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

I also struggle to care about this scandal at all. My first thought was "...yep, Jersey." It's bad that it doesn't move the needle for me as a New Jersey political scandal, but it just doesn't. I haven't found anyone I know other than hardcore Democrat/Republican types who have an opinion on the matter besides "what a dick move" and laughing about the absurdity of it all.

EDIT: Also, the damn news keeps showing the Fort Lee entrance onto the GWB. That's the secret hidden pathway to skip the massive traffic that results from hitting the GWB directly from 80 or the Turnpike. Stop giving away all the secrets and force people to play the game and discover it themselves.

 

[richiek]

This has to be the lamest scandal I've ever heard. All pettynesd. If this is the worst dirt on Christie, dude is going to coast to the presidency. Though I have to imagine someone has more.

1/10

Try harder.

 

[empty vessel]

It's all relative though in regards to his campaign hopes. If this is seriously the worst dirt they can get on him, this man is golden.

That would be sad if true, and I don't buy it. I think he'll see consequences.

 

[ggnoobIGN]

That would be sad if true, and I don't buy it. I think he'll see consequences.

If he's lying maybe. But there's no hard evidence there and no one will care a week out unless there is.

 

[fallagin]

This has to be the lamest scandal I've ever heard. All pettynesd. If this is the worst dirt on Christie, dude is going to coast to the presidency. Though I have to imagine someone has more.

Christie lied, people died.

 

[ggnoobIGN]

Christie lied, people died.

That'd be a good chant at a rally

 

[Qazaq]

You know, the scandal really is interesting enough without going down the "Blowjob vs. Bridgegate" rabbit hole.


It really is. Trust me. There's lots more to come on this.

 

[B-Dubs]

If he's lying maybe. But there's no hard evidence there and no one will care a week out unless there is.

Considering this story has been developing for a long time now, I doubt that. Even if it dies down again, it'll heat up once they find more proof.

 

[inm8num2]

We'll see what all those documents say tomorrow, I guess.

 

[Neuromancer]

Clinton's blowjob could possibly have been the cause of someone's death?

A butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil...

 

[ggnoobIGN]

Considering this story has been developing for a long time now, I doubt that. Even if it dies down again, it'll heat up once they find more proof.

We have hard enough time getting people to really care about the NSA scandal let alone this. In scope, spying on hundreds of millions of people with billions of hours of surveillance is so much larger than shutting down a bridge in the corner of the US. When something that large happens against Americans and backlash is lukewarm, I just can't see them caring for more than a couple days about this. And Christie seems to be very charismatic and likable which will only kill this off quicker.

 

[Blader]

IT'S NOT THE LYING.

I don't give a shit if clinton got a blowjob and lied about it. That's none of my fucking business. Or yours. Or anyone other than him and his immediate famaily.

Whether you give a shit or not is irrelevant to the law. Perjury is a federal felony, period.

 

[B-Dubs]

We have hard enough time getting people to really care about the NSA scandal let alone this. In scope, spying on hundreds of millions of people with billions of hours of surveillance is so much larger than shutting down a bridge in the corner of the US. When something that large happens against Americans and backlash is lukewarm, I just can't see them caring for more than a couple days about this. And Christie seems to be very charismatic and likable which will only kill this off quicker.

You do realize that it's not a bridge in some corner of the country and that it's one of, if not, the most traveled bridges in the world. The NSA thing can be hard to get your head around (plus we sort of game them that power anyway), this is sitting in traffic for an entire day just because the governor was pissed at a mayor and wanted to fuck him. It's straight up, old school corruption. Plus Christie is a bully, he's nowhere near smooth enough to gloss over this. Especially since it plays into our preconceived notions of who he is.

 

[mavs]

We have hard enough time getting people to really care about the NSA scandal let alone this. In scope, spying on hundreds of millions of people with billions of hours of surveillance is so much larger than shutting down a bridge in the corner of the US. When something that large happens against Americans and backlash is lukewarm, I just can't see them caring for more than a couple days about this. And Christie seems to be very charismatic and likable which will only kill this off quicker.

I bet people care a lot more about traffic jams than NSA spying. If we're measuring by blood pressure.