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You are here: Home / Politics / Republican Venality / Christie’s “Friends” Stand Behind Him

Christie’s “Friends” Stand Behind Him

by Anne Laurie|  January 19, 201410:57 pm| 48 Comments

This post is in: Republican Venality, Assholes, Decline and Fall

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christie has the gop behind him deering
(John Deering via GoComics.com)

Thing about succeeding as a Public Bully, even the people who stand to profit from the bully’s success don’t have much reason to defend him when his luck changes. And, of course, those on the other side won’t have much reason to hold back their glee. Steve Kornacki takes a modest victory lap at MSNBC:

The New Jersey mayor who publicly claimed this weekend that Gov. Chris Christie’s administration tried to withhold hurricane relief funds met Sunday in private with the U.S. attorney for the state of New Jersey.

“This afternoon I met with the U.S. Attorney’s office for several hours at their request and provided them with my journal and other documents,” Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer said in a statement Sunday. “As they pursue this investigation, I will provide any requested information and testify under oath about the facts of what happened when the Lieutenant Governor came to Hoboken and told me that Sandy aid would be contingent on moving forward with a private development project.”…

“The bottom line is, it’s not fair for the governor to hold Sandy funds hostage for the City of Hoboken because he wants me to give back to one private developer,” Zimmer said in an interview on UP w/ Steve Kornacki. ….

At Slate, Dave Weigel has some more unpleasant tales “Updating the Christie Petty-Scandal Registry“.

Rachel Maddow uses her monthly Washington Post column to highlight the abiding pettiness of Christie’s inner circle:

If you type “Shawn Boburg” into your Web browser address bar, a strange thing happens. Boburg is a reporter for The Record newspaper, in Bergen County, N.J. But ShawnBoburg.com sends visitors to The Record’s rival, Newark’s Star-Ledger.

The man who bought the rights to Boburg’s online name — and who presumably engineered the nasty little redirect — is David Wildstein, who last week became the country’s most high-profile political appointee. After his high school classmate Chris Christie was elected governor of New Jersey in 2009, Wildstein was appointed to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for a highly paid position that, conveniently, had no job description…

According to reporting in The Record, Wildstein has made a habit of buying the Web addresses of people who cross his path in New Jersey politics — including the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in 2012 and a mid-level official at the Federal Aviation Administration who helped forge a firefighting agreement with the Port Authority that Wildstein disliked. While he was at the Port Authority, Wildstein bought the online names of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s top appointees to the agency, including Executive Director Pat Foye, who sounded the alarm about the Fort Lee scheme. Wildstein’s redirect on PatFoye.com sends visitors to the Web site of the New York Yankees.

It’s one thing for public officials to subject one another to that kind of low-level, neener-neener harassment, but in New Jersey, reporters have been targeted too. Wildstein snatched up and redirected ShawnBoburg.com after Boburg wrote a (not terribly unflattering) profile of the intensely private Wildstein last year and an article on Christie’s patronage hiring…

To put the cherry on Christie’s terrible-horrible-very-bad-no-good-week, the timing could hardly be worse. Steve Karnicki, again:

… The allegations against the Christie administration caught the Republican governor just as he was on a fundraising trip to Florida over the weekend. The trip, alongside Republican Gov. Rick Scott, could have been an opportunity to showcase Christie’s star power and cement relationships with potential donors; Christie has left the door open to a presidential bid in 2016, and now wields new influence as the freshly-minted head of the Republican Governor’s Association. Instead, the governor kept his activities and appearances in the Sunshine State under wraps…

As Mr. Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, said on Friday, concerning a Romney fundraiser’s intemperate remarks about Mr. Christie:

… Part of me wants to point out that, apparently, the utterly self-centered cluelessness of the candidate spread pretty widely throughout all levels of the Romney campaign. (Christie was supposed to let his constituents fight each other for bottled water rather than accept help from the federal government? People on the Jersey Shore were supposed to live in lean-to’s until Willard closed on that new place in D.C.?) Part of me wants to point out that this is yet another indication that the prion disease afflicting the collective brain of the Republican party rages unabated. But a much bigger part of me wants to laugh and laugh until I fall down.

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48Comments

  1. 1.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    January 19, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    Wildstein has made a habit of buying the Web addresses of people who cross his path

    Random wanton political assaults should henceforth be known as “Wilding”.

  2. 2.

    ruemara

    January 19, 2014 at 11:07 pm

    It’s a pretty broad back to have a target on it. And I won’t shed a tear for him.

  3. 3.

    The Dangerman

    January 19, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    Whoda thunk OUTLAW Jersey Whale was going to be so prescient?

  4. 4.

    Roger Moore

    January 19, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    I think the people at his back are the ones he most needs to worry about. That’s the traditional place to put knives, and I’m pretty sure that the sign on his back right now says “Insert Knife Here” rather than “Kick Me”.

  5. 5.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    January 19, 2014 at 11:15 pm

    @Roger Moore: I don’t know if Wildstein’s demands for immunity from three different jurisdictions (I think, NJ, NY and the Feds?) are unreasonable/unusual, but it seems to me he’s wants to spill the beans, and I would think the Hoboken mayor’s charges would make the prosecutors more curious about what he has to say

  6. 6.

    Gin & Tonic

    January 19, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    Once the wheels start coming off the bus it’s hard to put them back on.

  7. 7.

    MoeLarryAndJesus

    January 19, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    I keep thinking about how Christie dismissed the notion that he and Wildstein had been friends in high school. Christie said he was “class President and an athlete” and he had “no idea” what “David was doing” back then.

    Wildstein doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who will ignore that slight.

  8. 8.

    Villago Delenda Est

    January 19, 2014 at 11:19 pm

    @efgoldman:

    My thought as well…that Wildstein seems to think Nixonland is basically “Asshole Politics for Dummies”

  9. 9.

    Roger Moore

    January 19, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    @Gin & Tonic:

    Once the wheels start coming off the bus it’s hard to put them back on.

    That’s why Christie has been throwing people under the bus; he’s hoping they’ll carry it for long enough to get the wheels back on.

  10. 10.

    Villago Delenda Est

    January 19, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    @Roger Moore:

    Noisemax has been jumping up and down like Homer Simpson missing a chili cookoff rallying the rabble to use Christie’s back as a dart board.

  11. 11.

    Hal

    January 19, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    Newsmax seems very conflicted about Christie.

    I mentioned in a morning thread that Kornacki had a NJ Assemblyman on his panel this morning, and he was without a doubt, useless as a guest. His entire point of being on the show was to defend Christie. When Kornacki brought up the mayor’s allegations he said he hadn’t heard of them or knew about them, but Christie was a prosecutor with a history of going after corruption, so the allegations couldn’t possibly be true. I wonder if he scored any points with Christie’s admin for his defense? I heard Christie has a few job openings he needs to fill.

  12. 12.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 19, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    God, how can anyone suggest that this guy has a shot at being elected president? I simply thought he came across as a thug and a bully and that was enough to kill his chances for national office. It turns out he actually is a thug and a bully. He cannot win a national election. He can’t turn any 2012 Obama states and so he is toast.

  13. 13.

    MoeLarryAndJesus

    January 19, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    He can’t turn any 2012 Obama states and so he is toast.

    Probably couldn’t even turn New Jersey at this point.

  14. 14.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    January 19, 2014 at 11:47 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: In his first campaign, he lied about his opponents being under investigation for corruption in an ad. They sued him and he was forced to print a retraction and apology.

  15. 15.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 19, 2014 at 11:49 pm

    @MoeLarryAndJesus: I know. I keep asking people who are concerned about Christie, which state Obama won in 2012 that Christie even puts into play. I don’t get answers.

  16. 16.

    max

    January 19, 2014 at 11:50 pm

    @MoeLarryAndJesus: Probably couldn’t even turn New Jersey at this point.

    It would’ve been decidedly unlikely for him to turn Jersey in the first place. (Paul Ryan did not flip Wisconsin, and Wisconsin is not as blue as Jersey.)

    Meantime: Giuliani Calls NJ Bridge Probe A ‘Partisan Witch Hunt’

    Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) on Sunday said that the New Jersey assembly’s investigation into the bridge scandal surrounding Gov. Chris Christie (R) is a “partisan witch hunt.” Giuliani said that because Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D), who is leading the assembly’s investigation into the George Washington Bridge lane closures, should step down because he said last week that it was “unbelievable” that none of Christie’s aides told him about the plan. “It would seem to me that the assemblyman has an ethical obligation to step down, to recuse himself. He’s no longer an impartial arbiter of the facts. He’s announced he doesn’t believe Governor Christie. I don’t even know how he could come to that conclusion,” Giuliani said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Every fact seems to indicate that Governor Christie is telling the truth. Whether he is or he isn’t, that’s what the investigation is for.”

    They (mostly conservatives) have been arguing most strenuously that he’s not Fat Ralph.

    max
    [‘He’s Fat Ralph.’]

  17. 17.

    KG

    January 19, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    @efgoldman: that happens a lot with books about politics

  18. 18.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:03 am

    @max: I have said for a long time that Christie is the ’16 version of Giuliani, 2008. Turns out I was wrong., Giuliani made it to the primaries as someone who was viable.

  19. 19.

    piratedan

    January 20, 2014 at 12:06 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: well I have no problems if his administration is beset by crisis and scandal, I just feel crappy about the folks of New Jersey who still aren’t going to get the federal grant money that would help them recover something of their former lives.

  20. 20.

    lamh36

    January 20, 2014 at 12:09 am

    I love that Christie and his minions are going after MSBNC as being hostile, when Morning Joe has been nothing but a Christie love fest.

    Mika B even said the day after the Bridgegate scandal blew wide, that she was on the phone or texting her “good friend” Guv Christie and he agonized over it and was doing the right, with Joe adding “unlinke Obama” and Mika nodding her big blond “Joe made them pay me more” head up and down

  21. 21.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:10 am

    @piratedan: If in any way, you saw my previous comment as a defense of Christie, you have misread what I said.

  22. 22.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:13 am

    @efgoldman: Exactly. No independent or moderate will vote for the guy. He cannot win a national election.

  23. 23.

    GregB

    January 20, 2014 at 12:13 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    I’d be inclined to say NH, NJ maybe Wisconsin, NV and CO.

    Not any more, mind you. I think the dirigible SS Christie is approaching Lakehurst and the lighting is going to strike.

    Oh the huge man-titties.(Apologies for fat shaming)

  24. 24.

    piratedan

    January 20, 2014 at 12:14 am

    @lamh36: I tell ya, it’s a wonder that Joe can even enunciate with his lips pressed so firmly against Reince Preibus’ ass. Mika is just cashing her check and their gallery of sycophants is still just slightly less painful to listen to than the death screams of brain cells that occurs while watching Faux.

  25. 25.

    Roger Moore

    January 20, 2014 at 12:14 am

    @lamh36:

    I love that Christie and his minions are going after MSBNC as being hostile, when Morning Joe has been nothing but a Christie love fest.

    It’s typical of the way self-centered people see the world. They see deference and ass kissing as their due, so they ignore it as part of the background when it happens and flip out when they’re actually challenged about anything.

  26. 26.

    piratedan

    January 20, 2014 at 12:15 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: nope, was more of a piling on with you rather than an opposing viewpoint

  27. 27.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:17 am

    @GregB: New Jersey hate him right now. Wisconsin doesn’t like brash bullies. And so on. You are simply wrong.

  28. 28.

    max

    January 20, 2014 at 12:18 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: I have said for a long time that Christie is the ’16 version of Giuliani, 2008. Turns out I was wrong,

    Fair point! So was I! {snicker} *

    Giuliani made it to the primaries as someone who was viable.

    Governor Tells Donors: ‘Come See Me Next Year’:

    Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey told top Republican donors on Sunday that his presidential ambitions were on hold until next year, amid a widening state investigation into a bridge closing ordered by his aides, and further allegations that he has bullied local officials.

    You never know, he just might be a ‘viable’ candidate in late 2015. ‘Til he gets to Ioway, anyways.

    max
    [‘Rally ’round the neocon. Because desperation.’]

    * I got the hydrogen explosion of the SS Christie part right though.

  29. 29.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:20 am

    @max: Christie will never be president. $100 to the charity of your choice if it happens.

  30. 30.

    Ruckus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:25 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    I’m pretty sure that if cc did get elected you’d want to keep every dime that you could. I’m pretty sure that unless you are one of the 1% you would need it.

  31. 31.

    Ruckus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:27 am

    BTW is it possible that we could start calling him
    “corpus cristie”

  32. 32.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:31 am

    @Ruckus: Come on. If he gets the GOP nomination, what states that Obama won does he flip? Name someone that can he get enough electoral votes to win. Otherwise, I don’t give a a fuck.

    Edited.

  33. 33.

    Ash Can

    January 20, 2014 at 12:32 am

    Chris Christie is on track to be watching the 2016 election campaign from a minimum-security Club Blagojevich. Hope he enjoys the show.

  34. 34.

    Ruckus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:41 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    Wasn’t saying that it’s not a pretty safe bet. Just taking the other side on the very, very, very, very off chance that 2/3 of the people don’t vote(maybe because they are dead from laughing, or crying, too hard at the very idea of his lardness being president)

  35. 35.

    Ruckus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:45 am

    @efgoldman:
    Rats would desert a large sinking pool toy wouldn’t they?

  36. 36.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 20, 2014 at 12:46 am

    @Ruckus: He can’t win. Bald statement. Quotable. Fin.

  37. 37.

    lamh36

    January 20, 2014 at 12:52 am

    @kenvogel
    Follow
    .@GovChristie, deflecting, tells donors “65k ppl have access to [NJ Govs] stationery,” could “do anything stupid” w/ it, per source in room.

  38. 38.

    Fair Economist

    January 20, 2014 at 12:53 am

    I suspect this will end up being much bigger than Christie. IMO Christie has been an enthusiastic participant in the bipartisan culture of corruption that has long infected New Jersey, and the reason he’s gotten a lot of Democratic officials to support him is that they’ve been compatriots in corruption. He’s just been so arrogant and blatant that’s he’s been exposed. Once a few honest Dems expose Christie and company, they’re going to squeal on all the Democrats they’ve been making deals with. End result, we may actually see some real progress on stopping corruption in New Jersey.

  39. 39.

    Chris

    January 20, 2014 at 1:29 am

    @lamh36:

    Ah, the media, always tagging along with and sucking up to the popular kids in the desperate hope that the popular kids will like them and/or make them cool by association.

    Oh, brave new world that has such putzes in it.

  40. 40.

    Chris

    January 20, 2014 at 1:31 am

    @Ruckus:

    Conversely, if CC did get elected, these charities would probably be needing $$$ worse than ever.

  41. 41.

    Ruckus

    January 20, 2014 at 2:14 am

    @Chris:
    As would we all. Well 99% of us.

  42. 42.

    Villago Delenda Est

    January 20, 2014 at 3:25 am

    At this very moment, the Dark Lord and von Rumsfailed are shaking their heads in disgust.

    NEVER leave any sort of trail The lesson these two learned from Watergate was not to do the things Nixon did, but not to get caught like Nixon did.

    Christie and his minions have shown how you don’t do it.

  43. 43.

    Mustang Bobby

    January 20, 2014 at 4:54 am

    Meanwhile, the NY Times has a front page story this morning about how MSNBC is breaking up the friendship they had with Mr. Christie because Rachel Maddow and Steve Kornacki had the temerity to commit journalism. Mika especially has the sadz about what they’re doing to her good friend.

  44. 44.

    Villago Delenda Est

    January 20, 2014 at 5:00 am

    @Mustang Bobby:

    Why, oh why, can’t the bus that Christie is throwing his minions under make a detour and hit Mika?

    Related: Noisemax is headlining the upcoming concert by Wildstein that will rival anything sung by the Three Tenors or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

    Wildstein is, given the right proffer, ready to belt it out.

  45. 45.

    Citizen_X

    January 20, 2014 at 8:34 am

    @lamh36:

    .@GovChristie, deflecting, tells donors “65k ppl have access to [NJ Govs] stationery,” could “do anything stupid” w/ it

    Ha! Next from Christie, “Anybody can fake my signature. It’s all over the internet.”

  46. 46.

    aimai

    January 20, 2014 at 8:45 am

    @efgoldman: that’s not his only corruption rep, though. I read a pretty long comment at dkos, of all places, which pointed out that Christie’s big score was actually rolling up 60 different but somehow linked corruption/politics/organ donor etc… cases, including the one that snagged the mayor before Dawn Zimmer. The interesting thing about this comment is that it posited, quite reasonably, that Christie as AG had come in and cleaned up all the corrupt middlemen in order to simply step in and replace them, or control the guys who replaced them. See, e.g. Dawn Zimmer. Its like being a predator who kills off all competition and then sees a chance to expand into a new ecological niche.

  47. 47.

    Svensker

    January 20, 2014 at 9:33 am

    @Fair Economist:

    we may actually see some real progress on stopping corruption in New Jersey.

    Oh, God, I just choked on my muzz and capicola sandwich. With oil & vinegar, hold the peppers.

  48. 48.

    Mandalay

    January 20, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    @GregB:

    Oh the huge man-titties.(Apologies for fat shaming)

    Why the faux apology? How about not posting that in the first place? There are plenty of valid reasons to go after Christie without needing to go there.

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