Docs show scramble over N.J. bridge flap

[ProSense]

Docs show scramble over N.J. bridge flap

By ELIZABETH TITUS

<...>

Relationships between the media, Christie’s staff and the Port Authority were on display in the documents, many of which revealed discussions about how the transit agency should handle questions about the closures from The Wall Street Journal, The Record (N.J.) and other publications.

In one instance in October, Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak responded to questions from Star-Ledger reporter Steve Strunsky. Then, switching to his Gmail account, Drewniak forwarded the exchange to Wildstein.

“Such a f— mutt,” Drewniak wrote. “See below…”

Wildstein, also using Gmail, then forwarded the exchange to Baroni.

The governor is not dismissing Drewniak in light of the latest release of documents, spokesman Colin Reed said. After deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly was linked to the closures in Wednesday’s emails, Christie said he had fired her for lying to him. Christie also distanced himself from former campaign manager Bill Stepien, whose name surfaced in the messages, saying he had “lost confidence in his judgement.”

- more -

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/chris-christie-bridge-scandal-documents-102031.html

Christie had no idea, but his spokesman did. Bridge for sale!

Christie: Vindictive ass or incompetent buffoon
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/09/1268391/-Christie-Vindictive-ass-or-incompetent-buffoon

Bridge Scandal Documents Indicate Effort to Hide Political Motive
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024312727

[grasswire]

1. that "mutt" reporter from the Star Ledger.....

.....might have a bit of heat after that revelation.

[ProSense]

2. AP: Christie pulls judicial nominee amid GWB flap

AP: Christie pulls judicial nominee amid GWB flap

By ANGELA DELLI SANTI

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Gov. Chris Christie has notified the state Senate that he is withdrawing the nomination of his acting attorney general to the Superior Court.

The pulling of the nomination late Friday is another wound to an administration facing its most difficult test so far.

The Republican governor hoped to send acting Attorney General John Hoffman to the bench and clear a spot for his chief of staff, Kevin O'Dowd, to become attorney general.

But Democrats have delayed O'Dowd's confirmation hearing indefinitely because of the apparently politically orchestrated closing of approach lanes to the George Washington Bridge that caused traffic chaos in Fort Lee.

http://www.njherald.com/story/24421205/ap-christie-pulls-judicial-nominee-amid-gwb-flap

[JustAnotherGen]

8. He knows what happened Prosense

O'Dowd knows what went down and was most likely involved in it!

[ProSense]

3. Adding this:

If Christie didn’t know, why was his reelection staff involved in damage control?

by CenPhx

Something John Wisniewski, Democratic assemblyman, head of the Transportation Committee, asked David Wildstein got me thinking. Following from point A to B to C leads to the conclusion that a lot more people on Christie's staff were involved in coaching Wildstein and Baroni than just Bridget Kelly. I think that was where Wisniewski hoped to go with his questions...

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.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/09/1268474/-If-Christie-didn-t-know-why-was-his-reelection-staff-involved-in-damage-control

[Laxman]

5. CenPhx is Wrong...

Nicole is Nicole Crifo from the governor's authorities unit. She was assigned to monitor the Port Authority.

[ProSense]

6. You're right, she's

"Nicole is Nicole Crifo from the governor's authorities unit. She was assigned to monitor the Port Authority."

...mentioned here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024307617

Are any of the other identities in the CenPhx post wrong?

[Laxman]

7. No, But that's an important one...

he/she is trying to run the story a bit with that identity. That's the wrong direction. Nicole's is one of the people in the governor's office assigned to attend the meetings of independent agencies and report back on what's happening. With past governors these people have been liasons, with Christie they're more like spies.

[JustAnotherGen]

9. Charlie McKenna

That's the important name there . . .

[UTUSN]

4. R#5 & K for, ProSense/always on top of the news and everything n/t