Bridgegate

A series of newly released emails shows that Gov. Chris Christie’s office was closely involved with the lane closures at the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey in September and that officials closed the lanes as retribution against the mayor whose town was gridlocked as a result.

Mr. Christie, a Republican, has insisted that his staff and his campaign had nothing to do with the lane closures, and said that they were done as part of a traffic study.

But the emails show that Bridget Anne Kelly, a deputy chief of staff to Mr. Christie, gave a signal to the Port Authority to close the lanes about two weeks before they occurred.

“Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” she emailed David Wildstein, Mr. Christie’s close friend and appointee at the Port Authority.

In September, local access lanes to the George Washington Bridge were abruptly closed for four days, gridlocking Fort Lee.

The town’s mayor, Mark Sokolich, is a Democrat.

For attribution - this was NYT

busted

Sweet. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Bully your way out of this one, CC.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/09/nyregion/christie-aide-tied-to-bridge-lane-closings.html?hp&_r=0

hard to believe they would a) be that petty, b) screw the people of Ft. Lee that badly just because of grudge against the mayoer and c) put it in writing.

but nobody ever said these political hacks are rocket scientists.

So many people, including myself, want this to be true because it would be hilariously dumb. I'm crossing my fingers!

captobins said:

So many people, including myself, want this to be true because it would be hilariously dumb. I'm crossing my fingers!

Hilariously dumb and made more believable by the reputation for bullying and spitefulness. Tony Soprano didn't always know whose legs were being broken by his underlings, but they knew the boss would be impressed.

ml1 said:

hard to believe they would a) be that petty, b) screw the people of Ft. Lee that badly just because of grudge against the mayoer and c) put it in writing.

but nobody ever said these political hacks are rocket scientists.

Sounds more arrogant than dumb.

I've only half paid attention to this previously, but these new revelations are appalling. This is going to blow up big-time now.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/christie_kelly_bridge_lane_closures_emails.html

RobB said:

ml1 said:

hard to believe they would a) be that petty, b) screw the people of Ft. Lee that badly just because of grudge against the mayoer and c) put it in writing.

but nobody ever said these political hacks are rocket scientists.

Sounds more arrogant than dumb.

probably both. anybody with half a brain knows those are the kinds of communication that should be made by phone. land line phone. there's a reason for the term "plausible deniability."

Petty is the word that sums up Christie. And maybe thin-skinned.

As usual, the downfall here will be because of the cover up. Christie lied about his staff's involvement.

ml1 said:

RobB said:

ml1 said:

hard to believe they would a) be that petty, b) screw the people of Ft. Lee that badly just because of grudge against the mayoer and c) put it in writing.

but nobody ever said these political hacks are rocket scientists.

Sounds more arrogant than dumb.

probably both. anybody with half a brain knows those are the kinds of communication that should be made by phone. land line phone. there's a reason for the term "plausible deniability."

Never speak what you can nod and never nod what you can wink.

Never write anything.

it will also gain traction because it fits with his image of being a petty, vindictive bully.

bwahahahahahahahahahahaha

I'd love to be listening in on Christie's office right about now.

"Time for some traffic problems." Awesome that people talk/write like this. Keepin' Jersey Jersey.

It's the fact that emergency vehicles couldn't get through and kids couldn't get to their first day of school--and these people were LAUGHING about it. That's really going to kill them here. This is going to be a big story.

Read this and then work on picking your jaw up from the floor:

http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/2014/01/09gwb/port_authority_2014.pdf

Now if they tie the emergency vehicles not able to get through to a DOA or some such tragedy, the headlines could read "Christie Vendetta Leads to Death of NJ Voter".

dave23 said:

"Time for some traffic problems." Awesome that people talk/write like this. Keepin' Jersey Jersey.

lolol

project37 said:

Read this and then work on picking your jaw up from the floor:

http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/2014/01/09gwb/port_authority_2014.pdf

The emails are incredible. Making light of delayed school buses by calling them "kids of Buono voters."

Don't mess with New Jerseyans and their driving.

so the deputy chief of staff is using a yahoo email account to conduct back door business...like that's gonna make it secure

The Cover Up is as bad as the crime.....Watergate.....
Headlines go to the Democrats.
Christie will be in defense mode.
Fascinating to watch this......

drummerboy said:

bwahahahahahahahahahahaha

I'd love to be listening in on Christie's office right about now.

Yes!

fun times.

I would love to read every email that's been sent by that Yahoo account.

what's "faps, I wonder...reference to pulling a "faps"

I generally like Christie but this is a big deal. I see 'Bridgegate' dogging him for the rest of his tenure as governor and quite possibly putting the kibosh on plans to run for president.

doulamomma said:

what's "faps, I wonder...reference to pulling a "faps"

Well, fap (singular) is masturbation of the male variety.

fap fap fap it's all the rage with kids these days