Follow on Twitter
Subscribe by RSS
It’s no doubt the most important news story of the week — at least on cable information, and especially on CNN and MSNBC — but what is this complete “bridge thing” (as Fox’s Steve Doocy calls it) all about? Under is our breakdown of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s “Bridgegate” scandal: What it entails, why you must care and what it approach for his future.
What precisely happened?
The whole thing dates back to closing fall as Christie was once coming near his landslide victory reelection in opposition to Democratic opponent Barbara Buono. On September 9th, 2013, the primary day of faculty for thousands and thousands of New Jersey youngsters, Port Authority closed down two of the three lanes get entry to lanes connecting Fort Lee, NJ to the George Washington bridge. Port Authority officers claim the lanes were closed as a part of a “traffic study.” Hours-long shuttle delays happen.
Why are we simply finding out about this now?
It turns in the market would possibly not have been a “site visitors find out about” at all and if it did exist, it was just cover for the genuine purpose behind the lane closures –payback. Subpoenaed emails released this previous Wednesday January 8th printed that the lane closures had been if truth be told political retribution against Citadel Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat, who had refused to endorse Christie’s reelection bid. The damning emails have been between Christie deputy Bridget Anne Kelly and David Wildstein, the Christie-appointed Port Authority govt who ordered the lane closures.
“Time for some site visitors problems in Citadel Lee,” Kelly emailed Wildstein.
“Got it,” he replied.
Did Christie order this abnormal piece of political revenge?
In step with Christie, he had no concept any of this was going down on his behalf. First, he issued the observation under, decrying the “unacceptable” habits and vowing to hold the responsible parties “accountable for their actions”:
What I’ve viewed today for the primary time is unacceptable. I am outraged and deeply saddened to study that no longer best used to be I misled with the aid of a member of my group of workers, however this utterly inappropriate and unsanctioned conduct was made with out my data.
One factor is obvious: This kind of conduct is unacceptable and I cannot tolerate it because the individuals of New Jersey deserve higher. This behavior just isn’t representative of me or my Administration in anyway, and folks shall be held liable for their moves.
When that didn’t quell the uproar, Christie held a two hour press convention to claim definitively, in as many variations as he may muster, that he had nothing to do with the bridge lane closures and had no thought the political retribution that was taking place behind his back.
Watch Christie’s opening observation beneath, by way of Fox Information:
Who’s being “held accountable”?
Christie announced that he has fired Bridget Anne Kelly, announcing, “I terminated her as a result of she lied to me. There’s no justification for ever mendacity to a governor or a person with authority in this government.”
Didn’t a 91-yr-old lady die as a result of the large site visitors delays?
Yes, ninety one-12 months-previous Florence Genova died of cardiac arrest when an ambulance used to be delayed in reaching her house on the morning of September ninth. No, she didn’t die as a result of of Bridgegate. Genova’s daughter Vilma Oleri instructed The New York Times, “I in truth imagine it was once just her time” and that the traffic might no longer be blamed for her mother’s death.
What does Fortress Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich think about all this?
Sokolich has been very vocal about his outrage over the political move, telling MSNBC’s Chris Hayes that David Wildstein “deserves an ass-kicking” and accusing Christie of the “lowest, most venomous form of political retaliation.”
Alternatively, Sokolich did settle for Christie’s apology Thursday and taking the governor at his word that he had nothing to do with the decision to close the bridge lanes.
What happens if it turns out Christie did have prior information about — and even directed — the decision to lead to the bridge site visitors?
Commentators of all stripes agree: Christie’s denial was once so emphatic throughout his press convention Thursday that if any proof emerges that he knew concerning the scandal sooner than he says he did, his promising political occupation will effectively be over.
If he was once concerned, CNN conservative pundit S.E. Cupp mentioned he would possibly as neatly “resign now.” Fox’s The 5 hosts said he’s given himself “zero wiggle room.” And MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow has been pronouncing Christie knew greater than he’s been letting on considering the fact that ultimate month.
Who’s still defending Christie?
Pretty much just Invoice O’Reilly, Rudy Giuliani and Shaq.
What does this imply for Christie’s political future?
As a average Republican from a blue state, Christie has been considered as some of the GOP’s perfect hopes at regaining the White Home in 2016. As recent, untimely polls have indicated, he’s the handiest Republican who comes close in a hypothetical in shape-up with Hillary Clinton. But this scandal may taint him, whether extra damning knowledge comes out or now not.
Christie insists he’s “now not a bully,” but it may be exhausting for voters to appear earlier a governor whose aides would find it desirable to snarl site visitors for hundreds of commuters simply to actual some political revenge. As David Gregory put it on Hardball Friday, Christie’s had a “good ride in the media,” however this scandal may trade all that. Chris Matthews took issues a couple of steps additional, declaring Christie has formally misplaced his 2016 “frontrunner” status whether or not he knew the rest in regards to the scandal or now not.
And with a U.S. legal professional expected to start investigating Christie’s that you can imagine involvement, it’s not likely this story will go away any time soon. If felony or civil prices are introduced in opposition to the governor, it might be arduous to look how he recovers.
Mediaite will proceed to bring you the latest traits on the “Bridgegate” scandal as they happen. Keep tuned…
[picture by way of screengrab]
– –
