Christie's Office Blasts 'Wild-Eyed Conspiracy' Theories In Bridge Scandal

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

HUNTER WALKER – JANUARY 14, 2014, 6:54 PM EST

New Jersey Gov. Christie's (R) office apparently thinks "left-wing blogs" are to blame for the competing theories about who and what was behind the decision to close lanes on the George Washington Bridge in September.

In a short statement to CNN on Tuesday, Christie spokesman Colin Reed blasted the theories, including those that posit the closures, which tied up traffic for days in Fort Lee, N.J., were to get revenge on rivals or possibly linked to a local real estate development.

"We're not commenting on every wild-eyed conspiracy theory that's originating on left-wing blogs," Reed told the cable news network.

One of the theories that has been floated by New Jersey Democrats is that the shutdown was revenge against a local mayor who declined to endorse Christie's re-election. Another, first raised by MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, is that it was retaliation against a local senator who blocked the governor's court nominees. A third, raised by MSNBC host Steve Kornacki and former Jersey political reporter Brian Murphy, is that the closures may have been somehow tied to a nearby real estate development.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/christie-conspiracy-theory

[reddread]

1. must be willing to settle for that VP slot with Jeb

watch. sadly, its going to liz cheney.

[Grassy Knoll]

2. Why so serious?

This was no big thing...Right.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Spin control

an attempt to call of the posse by demonizing theories as "left-wing blogs"

Targeting political opponents or retribution, coupled with other widely
reported stories about the administraion's modus operandi are not
far-fetched or wild-eyed

Wild-eyed is .... they were slowing traffic so they could locate and target
someone on their commute to New York, perhaps with sinister motives

or

they were consuming state resources used in the lane closures to pad
payments to a state contractor or office or official

Those are wild-eyed.

I think the press has been probing, alarmed, slightly sensational, but fair

[onehandle]

4. New Jersey Governor Colludes With Staff To Take Revenge On Enemies And Bully Citizens

Seems pretty non-conspiratory to me.

Totally believable and manner-of-fact.

[savannah43]

5. Is there any defensive cliche he will not try? I'll bet just shutting up would help.

Just let your lawyers take care of it, soon-to-be former Governor Christie. Leaving your defense to your co-conspirators is just stupid.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. re: just shutting up

you've really said something there

he's talking too much, it's almost not believable

it's fine to not go into a bunker and refuse to talk

it's fine to explain, to cooperate with investigators

but to talk too much

hmmmm

could be just a control freak

[yellowcanine]

6. Problem with that is they offer no alternative.

There has to be SOME reason for "Time to cause traffic problems in Ft. Lee." Nature abhors a vacuum.

[bucolic_frolic]

9. That is a most troublesome phrase, isn't it?

Why? Why cause traffic problems in Ft. Lee?

Note it's not 'Time for a traffic study in Ft. Lee'

or 'Time for congestion'

and 'cause' = deliberate problems

to what end???

Until that is answered the whole thing is unsolved

unexplained, unfinished business

[yellowcanine]

10. Well yes - and pretty much rules out anything except retaliation.

Only question is for what?

[bucolic_frolic]

12. Exactement

What was so important about Ft. Lee or the bridge ramps or the
traffic snarl that someone would risk all this fallout for?

Retribution on a mayor whose endorsement might sway 2000
votes in an election that was known to be a runaway?

Does it make sense?

[rocktivity]

7. Isn't this guy Christie's NEW spokesperson?

replacing Michael Drewniak?


rocktivity

[Paulie]

11. So the Wall Street Journal is a left wing blog?

If so then I'm the George Washington Bridge.

[Orsino]

13. So far, only one conspirator definitely has wild eyes.

Photographs of Christie's staff are less clear.