Uh Oh Christie...

[BDKJMU]

Christie Aide: 'Time for Some Traffic Problems'
Top Christie Aide Told Port Authority Executive That It Was 'Time for Some Traffic Problems in Fort Lee' Before Lane Closures

A top aide to Gov. Chris Christie told an executive at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey it was "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" before the authority closed lanes onto the George Washington Bridge in September, triggering a week of massive traffic jams, documents show.

The aide, Bridget Anne Kelly, sent the email, dated Aug. 13, to David Wildstein, a political ally of the governor who was the authority's director of interstate capital projects.

Mr. Wildstein, replied: "Got it."

The email exchange is the clearest sign that a series of lane closures on the bridge in September were carried out at the behest of high-ranking members of Mr. Christie's administration. It is in contrast with the original explanation for the closures — that they were part of a mishandled traffic study by Mr. Wildstein, a career political operative and friend of Mr. Christie's for years.

Democrats have suggested the lane closures were a political gesture from allies of the governor, aimed at Fort Lee's Democratic mayor, who had declined to endorse Mr. Christie for reelection.

The email exchange is contained in a trove of documents subpoenaed from the authority, Mr. Wildstein, and others as part of a Democrat-led investigation of the incident by the New Jersey Assembly Transportation Committee. The documents were reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

In the past, Mr. Christie has dismissed the inquiry and the traffic incident, once joking that he himself had moved the traffic cones to close off the lanes usually dedicated for local traffic coming onto the bridge.

But the controversy has deepened since then. Mr. Wildstein and Bill Baroni, the deputy executive director and Mr. Christie's top managerial appointee at the authority, both resigned, though Mr. Christie suggested their resignations weren't directly linked to the bridge flap.

Mr. Wildstein and Ms. Kelly, a deputy chief staff for Mr. Christie, couldn't immediately be reached for comment. A spokesman for Mr. Christie didn't immediately respond to a request for comment and a public appearance scheduled for Wednesday was cancelled.

The emails and text exchanges are among records supplied to the committee by Mr. Wildstein, in compliance with a subpoena for records related to the bridge flap. The committee chairman, Assemblyman John Wisniewski, has said the committee received thousands of pages of documents from those it has subpoenaed, including executives at the Port Authority and Messrs. Wildstein and Baroni.

The documents also show Mr. Wildstein discussing the controversy with Bill Stepien, Mr. Christie's campaign manager and one of his most trusted advisers, after the flap was reported in The Wall Street Journal.

"It's fine. The mayor is an idiot, though," Mr. Stepien wrote to Mr. Wildstein after a Journal story on the controversy in September. "[Win] some, lose some."

"I had empty boxes ready to take to work today, just in case," Mr. Wildstein wrote. He added, in an apparent reference to Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich: "It will be a tough November for this little Serbian."

Mr. Sokolich said in an interview Wednesday, "I didn't sign up for this petty political insanity."

Mr. Sokolich said he was now convinced he'd been the target of retribution for not endorsing Mr. Christie. "I've been punished not for something I've done, but for something I didn't do," Mr. Sokolich said. "This is the behavior of a bully in a schoolyard. It is the greatest example of political payback."

Also, Mr. Sokolich said he is Croatian.

In the documents, Mr. Wildstein assures Ms. Kelly in an email that he will keep her informed of "how Fort Lee goes."

The documents also show Mr. Wildstein and Mr. Baroni declining to return calls from Mr. Sokolich on the first morning of the closures, in which he complains about "an urgent matter of public safety in Fort Lee."

"Did he call him back?" Ms. Kelly writes to Mr. Wildstein in an email, after Mr. Wildstein forwarded Mr. Sokolich's message left with Mr. Baroni.

"Radio silence," Mr. Wildstein replied, adding a reference to the mayor of Jersey City, with whom the Christie administration has tussled. "His name comes right after mayor Fulop."

Ms. Kelly replied one minute later: "Ty," a shorthand for thank you.

The documents include a series of text exchanges sent during the lane closures, which were provided to the committee by Mr. Wildstein's attorney and contained large blocks blacked out text.

The text exchanges show Mr. Wildstein conversing with various individuals, whose identities aren't always clear.

"I feel badly about the kids," one text reads, sent at 8:05 a.m. on the second morning of the closures. Fort Lee officials have said that school buses were severely delayed by the traffic jams.

"They are the children of Buono voters," someone replies. Barbara Buono was Mr. Christie's Democratic opponent in the race for governor.

When reached for comment Wednesday, Ms. Buono said, "It's a clear abuse of power. This is what is being inflicted on the people of New Jersey."
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB1 ... 1794186904" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/09/nyreg ... .html?_r=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[VictorG]

If the can funnel traffic incorrectly they can do it with money as well......I feel a much deeper investigation is required.

[JoltinJoe]

How stupid. Christie was a shoo-in for re-election, with or without the endorsement of mayor of Fort Lee.

[AZGrizFan]

Imagine that. A politician being stupid, petty and vindictive. What a shock. He learned from the best--Obama.

[CID1990]

I can't wait for the righteous indignation from the same crowd that downplayed or ignored Fast and Furious and the IRS targeting scandals.

But yeah- this is minor overall but indicative of a lack of political integrity (or is that an oxymoron)

[CAA Flagship]

Also, Mr. Sokolich said he is Croatian

Good thing. If he wasn't Croatian, he would be missing a good opportunity to be with a name like that.

[kalm]

I can't wait for the righteous indignation from the same crowd that downplayed or ignored Fast and Furious and the IRS targeting scandals.

But yeah- this is minor overall but indicative of a lack of political integrity (or is that an oxymoron)

IRS targeting scandal? There are plenty of Obama conspiracy theories but I believe that one was proven to be a dud.

[mrklean]

I so wanted to vote GOP this coming election. Now this shyt!!!!

[bluehenbillk]

If this is the biggest skeleton in Christie's closet he doesn't have much to worry about in 2016.

[dbackjon]

If this is the biggest skeleton in Christie's closet he doesn't have much to worry about in 2016.

Or the first of many to come out...


He is getting hammered on this from the left and the right (seems more from the right) so who knows how it will affect long-term.


Criminal investigation forthcoming

[Ivytalk]

"Mr. Richard Feder from Fort Lee, New Jersey, writes: Dear Roseanne Roseannadanna..."

[ASUG8]

If this is the biggest skeleton in Christie's closet he doesn't have much to worry about in 2016.

Or the first of many to come out...


He is getting hammered on this from the left and the right (seems more from the right) so who knows how it will affect long-term.


Criminal investigation forthcoming

Slowing down traffic <<<<<<<<<< Benghazi or Whitewater

[dbackjon]

Or the first of many to come out...


He is getting hammered on this from the left and the right (seems more from the right) so who knows how it will affect long-term.


Criminal investigation forthcoming

Slowing down traffic <<<<<<<<<< Benghazi or Whitewater

Benghazi? You mean that manufactured "scandal" Try harder.

Whitewater?

[ASUG8]

Slowing down traffic <<<<<<<<<< Benghazi or Whitewater

Benghazi? You mean that manufactured "scandal" Try harder.

Whitewater?

Why isn't Susan Rice the new secretary of state? Seemed like a shoe-in pre-Benghazi. Oh that's right, it was Bush's fault.
Face it, you hate Christie because he was anti-gay marriage and that's really all that matters to you. Even if it's proven that Christie gave the order and takes full responsibility for this minor incident, he'll still be a pariah.

[BDKJMU]

I can't wait for the righteous indignation from the same crowd that downplayed or ignored Fast and Furious and the IRS targeting scandals.

But yeah- this is minor overall but indicative of a lack of political integrity (or is that an oxymoron)

IRS targeting scandal? There are plenty of Obama conspiracy theories but I believe that one was proven to be a dud.

You mean you think the IRS didn't target the TEA Party?

[BDKJMU]

Slowing down traffic <<<<<<<<<< Benghazi or Whitewater

Benghazi? You mean that manufactured "scandal"

[Skjellyfetti]

His hands are still clean for now... but, doesn't look pretty for sure

[ASUG8]

His hands are still clean for now... but, doesn't look pretty for sure

It's an opportunity for him to show some leadership (if true) by admitting fault for his administration and taking appropriate action with his staffers.

[Skjellyfetti]

You mean you think the IRS didn't target the TEA Party?

It targeted tea party groups... in a larger effort of targeting political groups. They also targeted "progressives."

The controversial "tea party" targeting is on page 9:

These case involve various local organizations in the Tea Party movement are applying for exemption under ...

A few pages before:

Common thread is the word "progessive". Activities appear to lean toward a new political party. Activities are partisan and appear anti-Republican. You see references to "blue" as being "progressive".

http://democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov ... 001364.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CID1990]

Slowing down traffic <<<<<<<<<< Benghazi or Whitewater

Benghazi? You mean that manufactured "scandal" Try harder.

Whitewater?

Right out of the Daily Kos playbook and right on time, Jon

Say what you will about Whitewater though, Hillary has well documented integrity issues as does her husband, and even the raised pinky crowd in Manhattan acknowledges this

[AZGrizFan]

Slowing down traffic <<<<<<<<<< Benghazi or Whitewater

Benghazi? You mean that manufactured "scandal" Try harder.

Whitewater?

IRS scandal
NSA scandal (which is about 4-5 scandals all rolled into one)
AP Phone Records scandal
Solyndra scandal
Drone strike scandal
Benghazi scandal
Fast & Furious scandal
Obamacare rollout/Sebilius debacle
GSA Spending scandal
Secret Service Agents scandal
Pre-election Unemployment #'s scandal

Seriously, if this shit had been perpetrated by a conk you donks would be foaming at the fucking MOUTH to get him impeached.

[Chizzang]

Benghazi? You mean that manufactured "scandal" Try harder.

Whitewater?

IRS scandal
NSA scandal (which is about 4-5 scandals all rolled into one)
AP Phone Records scandal
Solyndra scandal
Drone strike scandal
Benghazi scandal
Fast & Furious scandal
Obamacare rollout/Sebilius debacle
GSA Spending scandal
Secret Service Agents scandal
Pre-election Unemployment #'s scandal

Seriously, if this shit had been perpetrated by a conk you donks would be foaming at the fucking MOUTH to get him impeached.

Um... (Hello Ringo?)
the fringe RIGHT has been foaming at the mouth for 4 years trying to get Obama impeached


This Christy thing will pass
If we've learned anything at all - it's that your average American has a short memory

[BDKJMU]

You mean you think the IRS didn't target the TEA Party?

It targeted tea party groups... in a larger effort of targeting political groups. They also targeted "progressives."

The controversial "tea party" targeting is on page 9:

These case involve various local organizations in the Tea Party movement are applying for exemption under ...

A few pages before:

Common thread is the word "progessive". Activities appear to lean toward a new political party. Activities are partisan and appear anti-Republican. You see references to "blue" as being "progressive".

http://democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov ... 001364.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tea Party groups were not just on a BOLO like some liberal groups were. They were:
1. sent intrusive and inappropriate questions
2. had their donors threatened with gift taxes
3. had their confidential information leaked.
4. subjected to extra scrutiny by 12 different working groups within the IRS.
5. Applications delayed more than 2 years
http://dailycaller.com/2013/06/25/gop-c ... z2XKn2tm7l" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

None of that s*it happened to liberal groups on a broad basis like it did to conservative groups, even if some of those liberal groups were on an IRS BOLO. So any attempt to compare the treatment of TEA party, religious & groups with patriot in their name to the treatment of lib groups = FAIL.

[Skjellyfetti]

IRS scandal
NSA scandal (which is about 4-5 scandals all rolled into one)
AP Phone Records scandal
Solyndra scandal
Drone strike scandal
Benghazi scandal
Fast & Furious scandal
Obamacare rollout/Sebilius debacle
GSA Spending scandal
Secret Service Agents scandal
Pre-election Unemployment #'s scandal

Seriously, if this shit had been perpetrated by a conk you donks would be foaming at the fucking MOUTH to get him impeached.

Meanwhile, y'all turn a Conk scandal thread into a "name scandals associated with Obama" thread

[Grizalltheway]

Benghazi? You mean that manufactured "scandal" Try harder.

Whitewater?

IRS scandal
NSA scandal (which is about 4-5 scandals all rolled into one)
AP Phone Records scandal
Solyndra scandal
Drone strike scandal
Benghazi scandal
Fast & Furious scandal
Obamacare rollout/Sebilius debacle
GSA Spending scandal
Secret Service Agents scandal
Pre-election Unemployment #'s scandal

Seriously, if this shit had been perpetrated by a conk you donks would be foaming at the fucking MOUTH to get him impeached.

Yeah, let's go ahead and take a look at conservative demi-god Reagan's squeaky clean administration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reagan_adm ... n_scandals" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The presidency of Ronald Reagan in the United States was marked by multiple scandals, resulting in the investigation, indictment, or conviction of over 138 administration officials, the largest number for any US president.[1]