Christie drops swagger amid heat of scandal
In its place Thursday was an apologetic and contrite Christie trying to control an unfolding political scandal that has upended his administration over news one of his top aides and a political ally targeted a mayor with a scheme to tie up traffic in his town as punishment for not supporting their boss for re-election.
"I am who I am, but I am not a bully," Christie said during a nearly two-hour press conference where he distanced himself from the actions, saying "I knew nothing about this" and he had "nothing to hide."
But even as Christie worked to minimize the damage that could mean big problems should he run for President, the fallout could mount with word the New Jersey State Assembly committee looking into the scandal plans on Friday to release nearly 1,000 pages of documents collected in its investigation.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is embroiled in the controversy over what appears to be political payback from his last gubernatorial campaign. Christie hasn't been tied to the scandal, but aides and appointees have been accused of closing lanes on the George Washington Bridge to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, who didn't endorse Christie.
Christie fired Bridget Anne Kelly, who had been his deputy chief of staff, when her e-mail ordering the lane closings emerged. In his news conference on Thursday, Christie said he was "embarrassed and humiliated" by the "abject stupidity" of the move.
Christie fired Bridget Anne Kelly, who had been his deputy chief of staff, when her e-mail ordering the lane closings emerged. In his news conference on Thursday, Christie said he was "embarrassed and humiliated" by the "abject stupidity" of the move.
David Wildstein, who apparently carried out Bridget Kelly's orders, is under investigation by a state Assembly committee looking into the scandal. The committee charged Wildstein with contempt for failing to answer its questions. Wildstein resigned from his top-level position with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in December.
David Wildstein, who apparently carried out Bridget Kelly's orders, is under investigation by a state Assembly committee looking into the scandal. The committee charged Wildstein with contempt for failing to answer its questions. Wildstein resigned from his top-level position with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in December.
Mark Sokolich, the mayor of Fort Lee, called the lane closings a "venomous form of political retaliation." After a face-to-face meeting with Christie following his news conference, Sokolich said the governor was "gracious and apologetic" but said that "we're concerned there is more stuff and more issues to deal with."
Mark Sokolich, the mayor of Fort Lee, called the lane closings a "venomous form of political retaliation." After a face-to-face meeting with Christie following his news conference, Sokolich said the governor was "gracious and apologetic" but said that "we're concerned there is more stuff and more issues to deal with."
New Jersey Democratic Assemblyman John Wisniewski chairs the Transportation Committee that is investigating the scandal. Wisniewski says Christie "has a lot of explaining to do."
New Jersey Democratic Assemblyman John Wisniewski chairs the Transportation Committee that is investigating the scandal. Wisniewski says Christie "has a lot of explaining to do."
Michael Drewniak, Christie's spokesman, told reporters early in the investigation: "The governor of the state of New Jersey does not involve himself in traffic studies," which is what David Wildstein had said the lane closings were for.
Michael Drewniak, Christie's spokesman, told reporters early in the investigation: "The governor of the state of New Jersey does not involve himself in traffic studies," which is what David Wildstein had said the lane closings were for.
Bill Baroni was executive deputy director of the Port Authority until he resigned amid the scandal in December. Christie said that Baroni accepted responsibility for not following the right protocols in approving the traffic study initially blamed by the administration for the lane closures.
Bill Baroni was executive deputy director of the Port Authority until he resigned amid the scandal in December. Christie said that Baroni accepted responsibility for not following the right protocols in approving the traffic study initially blamed by the administration for the lane closures.
David Samson, Port Authority chairman, said the PA's board had no knowledge of the lane closings until they were lifted five days later. "I am extremely upset and distressed over today's disclosures," Samson, a Christie appointee, said in a statement after learning of the closings.
David Samson, Port Authority chairman, said the PA's board had no knowledge of the lane closings until they were lifted five days later. "I am extremely upset and distressed over today's disclosures," Samson, a Christie appointee, said in a statement after learning of the closings.
Patrick Foye, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said the George Washington Bridge lane closures didn't follow protocols and ordered them reopened.
Patrick Foye, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said the George Washington Bridge lane closures didn't follow protocols and ordered them reopened.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a Democrat who also didn't endorse Chris Christie, has raised his own suspicions about his cooled relationship with the administration and a suddenly tabled bill he was sponsoring in Trenton.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a Democrat who also didn't endorse Chris Christie, has raised his own suspicions about his cooled relationship with the administration and a suddenly tabled bill he was sponsoring in Trenton.
New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, a Democrat, has been pressing for information about the scandal and has introduced a measure in the Legislature asking Congress to restructure the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates bridges and tunnels, to ensure transparency.
New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, a Democrat, has been pressing for information about the scandal and has introduced a measure in the Legislature asking Congress to restructure the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates bridges and tunnels, to ensure transparency.
Democrat Barbara Buono is a New Jersey state Senator who challenged Chris Christie this past November. She derided him during the campaign as representing "the worst combination of bully and bossism" and brought up the lane closures as an example. She lost in a landslide.
Democrat Barbara Buono is a New Jersey state Senator who challenged Chris Christie this past November. She derided him during the campaign as representing "the worst combination of bully and bossism" and brought up the lane closures as an example. She lost in a landslide.
Bill Stepien is a sharp-elbowed strategist who managed Chris Christie's two gubernatorial campaigns. The notorious e-mails suggested he was aware of the Fort Lee bridge lane closures, and Christie has asked him to give up his political role.
Bill Stepien is a sharp-elbowed strategist who managed Chris Christie's two gubernatorial campaigns. The notorious e-mails suggested he was aware of the Fort Lee bridge lane closures, and Christie has asked him to give up his political role.
Who's who in Christie bridge scandal
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Quotes from Christie apology
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Scandal is unfolding around New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over lane closures on the George Washington Bridge as part of a political vendetta to punish a local mayor who wouldn't support him at the polls. In damaging evidence, Christie's top aide, Bridget Anne Kelly, sent an e-mail to David Wildstein, then-top New Jersey official at the Port Authority, three weeks before the lane closures, saying, "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." "Got it," Wildstein replied. New Jersey State Sen. Ray Lesniak told CNN he will formally request an investigation.
Sen. Robert Menendez is saying accusations of paying a Dominican woman for sex against him are part of a smear campaign against him after a woman filed a notarized statement that she had never even met the New York Democrat. If Menendez's charges are true, it wouldn't be the first time an American politician was targeted for dirty tricks -- the practice goes back as far as running for office in the U.S. Click through to see other examples of less-than-ethical campaign tactics.
Sen. Robert Menendez is saying accusations of paying a Dominican woman for sex against him are part of a smear campaign against him after a woman filed a notarized statement that she had never even met the New York Democrat. If Menendez's charges are true, it wouldn't be the first time an American politician was targeted for dirty tricks -- the practice goes back as far as running for office in the U.S. Click through to see other examples of less-than-ethical campaign tactics.
Fake letters: Then-Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine was expected to do well in the 1972 Democratic primary in neighboring New Hampshire. But the Manchester Union-Leader published a letter alleging that Muskie condoned the use of the term "Canuck," a derogatory term used against French-Canadians. Muskie denied the charge but still suffered at the polls in the early primary, which doomed his chances. The Washington Post later reported that the letter was a hoax and was probably written by Ken Clawson, deputy White House communications director in the Nixon administration.
Fake letters: Then-Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine was expected to do well in the 1972 Democratic primary in neighboring New Hampshire. But the Manchester Union-Leader published a letter alleging that Muskie condoned the use of the term "Canuck," a derogatory term used against French-Canadians. Muskie denied the charge but still suffered at the polls in the early primary, which doomed his chances. The Washington Post later reported that the letter was a hoax and was probably written by Ken Clawson, deputy White House communications director in the Nixon administration.
Watergate: The break-in at the Watergate was just the tip of the iceberg of what was going on within Richard Nixon's re-election campaign in 1972. The Nixon machine was hell-bent on destroying its opponents and Donald Segretti was one of the primary dirty tricksters. The Nixon operative printed fliers that attacked Muskie on his stance against Israel and placed them outside synagogues. He also pitted Democrats against one another in a tactic he called "rat-f---ing," like the letter addressed from Citizens for Muskie that accused Democratic primary rival Sen. Henry Jackson of fathering an illegitimate child with a teenager and that Jackson was a homosexual. Segretti was one of several Nixon operatives who ended up in jail.
Watergate: The break-in at the Watergate was just the tip of the iceberg of what was going on within Richard Nixon's re-election campaign in 1972. The Nixon machine was hell-bent on destroying its opponents and Donald Segretti was one of the primary dirty tricksters. The Nixon operative printed fliers that attacked Muskie on his stance against Israel and placed them outside synagogues. He also pitted Democrats against one another in a tactic he called "rat-f---ing," like the letter addressed from Citizens for Muskie that accused Democratic primary rival Sen. Henry Jackson of fathering an illegitimate child with a teenager and that Jackson was a homosexual. Segretti was one of several Nixon operatives who ended up in jail.
Doctored photos: Ross Perot was the first major third-person candidate in modern American politics to mount a serious run for the White House. His plain spokenness got attention and his platform appealed to the far-right. Most of all, he was seen as a threat to split the Republican vote with President George H.W. Bush, who was running for his second. Despite the energy in his campaign, Perot dropped out of the race, claiming that Republican operatives were about to smear his daughter with doctored photos and try to ruin her wedding. Perot never explained what the photograph purportedly showed.
Doctored photos: Ross Perot was the first major third-person candidate in modern American politics to mount a serious run for the White House. His plain spokenness got attention and his platform appealed to the far-right. Most of all, he was seen as a threat to split the Republican vote with President George H.W. Bush, who was running for his second. Despite the energy in his campaign, Perot dropped out of the race, claiming that Republican operatives were about to smear his daughter with doctored photos and try to ruin her wedding. Perot never explained what the photograph purportedly showed.
South Carolina: Sen. John McCain's first run for president was against then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in 2000. Karl Rove, often called the "brain" behind the Bush operation, began to spread the rumor in South Carolina that McCain had fathered an illegitimate black child, asking voters if they would support McCain if he had fathered an illegitimate black child. McCain lost South Carolina decisively and his chance at the nomination. The rumors twisted the fact that McCain's adopted daughter Bridget whom he adopted from Bangladesh.
South Carolina: Sen. John McCain's first run for president was against then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in 2000. Karl Rove, often called the "brain" behind the Bush operation, began to spread the rumor in South Carolina that McCain had fathered an illegitimate black child, asking voters if they would support McCain if he had fathered an illegitimate black child. McCain lost South Carolina decisively and his chance at the nomination. The rumors twisted the fact that McCain's adopted daughter Bridget whom he adopted from Bangladesh.
The mystery of Alvin Greene: When Alvin Greene suddenly won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, experts asked, "Who?" Greene didn't campaign, had no political experience was rarely seen in public. A CNN interview led to more questions of whether he was intellectually capable of running a viable campaign. Others felt that Green was planted by Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, who was running for re-election. Greene was cleared by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division before he lost overwhelmingly to DeMint.
The mystery of Alvin Greene: When Alvin Greene suddenly won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, experts asked, "Who?" Greene didn't campaign, had no political experience was rarely seen in public. A CNN interview led to more questions of whether he was intellectually capable of running a viable campaign. Others felt that Green was planted by Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, who was running for re-election. Greene was cleared by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division before he lost overwhelmingly to DeMint.
Swift-boating: Before John Kerry was elected senator, won the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam before later protesting against the war. When he ran against Bush in 2004, he spoke out against the Iraq War. Although Kerry was seen as the underdog in the race, he was gaining momentum before a political ad released by the group known as Swift Boat Veterans for Truth accused Kerry of speaking ill of his fellow veterans and lying to get his medals. Kerry first tried to ignore the ads before denying the allegations but by then the ads and Kerry's avoiding them stopped whatever momentum was building.
Swift-boating: Before John Kerry was elected senator, won the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam before later protesting against the war. When he ran against Bush in 2004, he spoke out against the Iraq War. Although Kerry was seen as the underdog in the race, he was gaining momentum before a political ad released by the group known as Swift Boat Veterans for Truth accused Kerry of speaking ill of his fellow veterans and lying to get his medals. Kerry first tried to ignore the ads before denying the allegations but by then the ads and Kerry's avoiding them stopped whatever momentum was building.
Political dirty tricks
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What is in those documents may add to the growing legal questions now facing the governor's administration, which is under scrutiny by the U.S. Attorney's office, with the help of FBI investigators, to see if any federal laws were broken, a law enforcement source tells CNN.
Christie's first stop after holding a news conference in Trenton was to the town that was targeted.
"I take him for his word," Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich said on "The Situation Room" about his talk with Christie, who he described as "gracious and apologetic."
One political analyst said the governor checked all the boxes an embattled national political figure must address if he wants to demonstrate credibility in a crisis.
"He stood there and took it," said John King, CNN's chief national correspondent, who noted that Christie was uncharacteristically low key as he appeared to understand the gravity of the moment. "It was a very different Chris Christie."
Christie "stunned"
Hailed as a star within the Republican Party for his direct style that resonates with voters and considered someone with potential White House timber, the no-nonsense Christie is embroiled in an episode worthy of a bad Hollywood script. Top aides captured in e-mails swearing and talking tough about a small town mayor who didn't endorse the boss for re-election.
Their response: use the authority of a transportation agency to alter traffic patterns at the head of the George Washington Bridge, creating days of gridlock in Fort Lee. It might've been shaken off as an embarrassing political stunt, but officials say the tie-ups impacted public safety.
Christie's tone and message represented a valiant attempt to disconnect himself from the embarrassing events that have attracted the attention of federal prosecutors, simultaneously pleading ignorance and accepting responsibility.
He said the buck stops with him but emphatically intoned that he had no knowledge of any aspect of the bridge controversy.
"I am stunned by the abject stupidity that was shown here regardless of what the facts ultimately uncover. This was handled in a callous and indifferent way," he said.
He said he was "digging in" and asking questions to find out what occurred.
Legal questions
Some of those answers may rest with the documents to be released by the New Jersey State Assembly committee.
Among the documents expected to be posted online are 907 pages collected in response to the subpoena of former state official David Wildstein, then the highest-level appointee representing the state at the Port Authority, which operates the George Washington Bridge connecting New York and New Jersey, the committee spokesman said.
CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin said there was a lot still to unravel regarding communications between the parties and how the decision to disrupt traffic was made.
"That question will be very important for Paul Fishman," Toobin said of the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
But Paul Callan, a CNN legal analyst, said he'd bet a criminal case wouldn't materialize from the basic facts of the incident. But, one could be brought, if there's any attempt at a cover-up, he said.
Fishman's office is working with the FBI's public corruption unit to see if any federal laws were broken, a law enforcement source told CNN.
Does this mean Christie's presidential ambitions are dashed?
"Not necessarily," Oxford University historian Timothy Stanley wrote in an opinion piece for CNN.com. "He's a resourceful politician and it's still many months before campaigning starts in earnest. But now, his opponents have a stick to beat him with."
Christie, meanwhile, is facing legal action from Bergen County residents, who filed a class-action lawsuit Thursday against the governor and his deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly, as well as former Port Authority official Bill Baroni and Wildstein, claiming that because of the lane closure of the George Washington Bridge they were stuck in traffic and arrived late to work resulting in loss of wages.
"To find out that the residents and the plaintiffs in this case were pawns in a political game is just disgraceful," Rosemarie Arnold, the attorney representing the six plaintiffs, told CNN.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages but the lawsuit did not state a specific dollar amount.
Christie 'blindsided' by e-mails
Christie said he was "blindsided" by the release of the e-mails and text messages on Wednesday that bolstered claims by Democrats that the traffic jams between September 9-13 were meant to punish Sokolich.
Christie and his staff originally blamed the closures and the traffic delays on a mishandled traffic study, something he reiterated at his news conference.
He said he didn't know if it was "a traffic study that morphed into a political vendetta or a political vendetta that morphed into a traffic study."
The incident inconvenienced motorists but also affected public safety, Fort Lee officials said.
The emergency services chief in the town referred to one case in a letter to the mayor obtained by CNN involving paramedics who were delayed in reaching an elderly woman who had suffered a heart attack and died. She was, however, reached by an ambulance.
Further details of the woman's death haven't been released and the mayor told CNN he hopes the traffic tie-ups weren't ultimately a factor.
'Time for some traffic problems'
The correspondence subpoenaed by Democrats investigating the matter is the most damaging evidence so far supporting their assertions that the move was orchestrated because Sokolich didn't endorse Christie's candidacy in November.
The exchanges began three weeks before access lanes to the bridge were closed, two months before Election Day.
"Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," Kelly, Christie's deputy chief of staff for legislative and intergovernmental affairs, said in an e-mail to Wildstein.
"Got it," Wildstein replied.
In another message about school buses with students on board caught in the traffic jams, Wildstein writes, "they are the children of Buono voters," apparently referring to Barbara Buono, Christie's Democratic opponent in the election that he won handily.
Those cited in the series of e-mails and text messages did not respond to requests for comment or to verify the communications.
Christie said he found out for the first time Wednesday that a member of his staff had been connected to the scandal and immediately fired Kelly.
Wildstein, who left his job in December as the Christie administration's top appointee on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, refused to answer questions about the matter before a New Jersey Assembly committee that later held in him contempt.
Christie said Sokolich "was never on my radar screen" as someone whose endorsement he was seeking and expressed dismay at why anyone would try to retaliate against him.
"This can't have anything to do with politics. I don't even know this guy," Christie said, adding that he would not be able to pick him out if he walked in the room.
Sokolich called his meeting with Christie productive and took no satisfaction from the fallout now pummeling the governor and his administration.
Sokolich said during "The Situation Room" interview that "we're concerned there is more stuff and more issues to deal with" regarding the scandal.
Furious in Fort Lee
In Fort Lee, Debbie Minuto watched Christie's apology and said the disruption hurt a lot of people.
"You can't play with our bridge," she said.
Jose Perez said the controversy illustrates the usual state of politics in the Garden State.
"In the end, who pays? he asked "The people. We're the ones who pay for the political gains."
Christie political woes
S.E Cupp, a Republican political strategist and CNN "Crossfire" host, said that Christie was "very believable" and "humble and contrite" during his lengthy appearance that she noted would satisfy some people.
"He's not completely out of the woods," Cupp said, noting that there are more questions to be asked.
CNN Chief Political Analyst Gloria Borger said Christie did well, expressing humiliation and apologizing. But she said he did not answer why one of his top aides thought apparent retribution was a good thing to do.
"The reasoning behind this still remains an issue," she said.
Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat whose congressional district includes Fort Lee, said the scandal goes beyond e-mails.
"We went from joking about cones in the road to a very sad day," he said. "I can assure you that this is only the beginning on what's going to be a long investigation into behavior that's reprehensible," Pascrell told CNN in an interview.
As criticisms of Christie's management style of being heavy handed and petty come to the forefront, Christie said, "I am not a bully." But he added that he is "soul searching" about why he created an environment in which his staff felt they had to lie to him.
Ron Brownstein, CNN's senior political analyst and the editorial director for the National Journal, said the scandal doesn't necessarily disqualify Christie from running for President. But, he said "this is something that's going to go on."
Democrats swarm
Christie is now campaigning for fellow GOP governors as chairman of the Republican Governors Association and is seen as a prime political target for national Democrats. Christie said the scandal would not impact his role with the group.
While Christie blamed his staff and accepted responsibility, he also praised his own response to the fallout, noting that he asked Bill Stepien, a sharp-elbowed strategist who managed Christie's two gubernatorial campaigns, to leave his organization and that he fired Kelly.
In exchanges with Wildstein in the notorious e-mail chain, Stepien described the Fort Lee mayor as an "idiot." The e-mails also suggested that Stepien was aware of the maneuvering by that led to the lane closures.
"This is a huge, huge deal," said one Trenton insider. "This was the governor's guy."
When asked about possible White House aspirations, Christie said that is the last thing on his mind.
"I am not preoccupied with that job," he said.
