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Cupp: Christie cemented as being a bully
(CNN) – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said today that he was misled by staff over the reasons for lane closures that caused heavy traffic around the George Washington Bridge and delayed emergency services that newly released e-mails suggest were orchestrated by his appointees as political punishment for a politician who did not back his reelection. Full story here.
S.E. Cupp and Stephanie Cutter discuss this emerging political scandal and Cupp says this won't help Christie who already has been cemented as being a bully. What are your thoughts on the events unraveling?
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Posted by CNN's Christina Manduley Filed under: Chris Christie • Debates • S.E. Cupp • Stephanie Cutter |
Meet the Hosts
Author, documentary filmmaker, historian, Speaker of the House (1995-1999), and 2012 Republican presidential candidate
Fmr. Obama Deputy Campaign Mgr. and W.H. Sr. Adviser, founder of Precision Strategies, fmr. Sr. Adviser to Maj. Leader Reid and Sen. Kennedy
Conservative columnist for New York Daily News, contributing editor at Townhall Magazine, commentator and author
Former Special Adviser for Green Jobs under President Obama, co-founder of Rebuild the Dream, author and attorney
It's disappointing that CNN can't seem to find someone brighter and more professional than Cupp for Crossfire. She constantly interrupts guests and seems incapable of doing anything other than regurgitating the same rhetoric she spews daily. Please CNN, can't you find anyone more qualified?
Everyone should care about Benghazi and every other mess that has occurred throughout out history because: "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it." Very weak. Americans knew about Benghazi on Nov 6 2012. They didn't care then and they still don't care about bogus hair on fire GOP rants. Deal with it.
I love this! I love it how Republicans are taking Christie down! I was getting nervous for a second that he might gain traction in the 2016 election . This will make sure he doesn't. Please Republicans nominate Rand Paul or better yet Ted Cruz so we can have four years of Hillary. Clinton 2016!
What is troubling is Christie won re-election in a landslide. So why would he need to go to these extremes? Because is a bully just like Nixon in 1972.
I cannot agree that Nixon was a "bully." Seems to me, he was more of a "scoundrel."
Christy did not bully Democrats to win the NJ election. He did it to win by the biggest possible landslide and have lots of support from "across the aisle" to prove that he is bipartisan and can win a national election. He'll work with both sides - unless you don't agree with him - then he reaches across the aisle to slap you silly.
Christie knew about the traffic mess-up just after it happened. The only thing he is sorry for is that the media uncovered it. And there is more to come on that account. The foolish, egotistical, joker's political career is over, except, of course, for remaining in New Jersey, which, of course, the stomach-stapling pompous buffoon deserves.
Not sure what makes a bully these days but there have been quite a few described as being such in the recent past. Is Obama a bully? Have not heard him as being so charged.
I'd rather have a bully in charge than a wuss. I doubt Chris finds out what is going on in NJ by watching TV like obama does with America.
Can we get beyond formulating the question as a choice between a bully and a wuss? Don't we have anyone in this country that presents a different choice?
Really? What TV show gave you the idea that Obama gets his news from the V? That's just silly. You may not agree with him, but a president gets daily briefings from his cabinet, staff and policy experts.
Really? What TV show gave you the idea that Obama gets his news from the TV? That's just silly. You may not agree with him, but a president gets daily briefings from his cabinet, staff and policy experts.
Nice point Vence. I do find Christie to be self-delusional about his culpability in the bridge vendetta. He hurt everyday citizens and yet he does not get that a Governor doesn't get to do that.
TO all the RWNJs, you look silly saying Obama on any post about Christies failures as a leader. THAT'S what this is about. Who, in their right mind ( pun intended) would give More Power ( the Presidency) to someone that demonstrates a propensity to abuse it? Or worse the ineptitude to control and wield it appropriately?
So Mr. Obama is weak say you? He is a wimp say you? Needs to be more like Christie, huh? GO ASK Moammar about that, or Osama, or Somali pirates, or BPOil, or Al Queda Top 100 [those with Bellaire missiles up their butts] if he is a wimp.
If you Republicans want to win again fix your own shortcomings and come up with intellectually sound solutions. IN THIS electronic age too many smart people will know about inept. Weak-minded, half-baked ideas too quickly for the COP to operate the way it has in the past. Perhaps that's the lesson for all out of this.
May I remind all those who have compared Christie with Obama that this is Obama's last term as President and he cannot run in the next election. Therefore, I see no value in making comparisons between Christie and Obama. If you want to make comparisions, I suggest it would be more useful to compare Christie to potential Republican and Democratic candidates for President.
Looks like S E Cupp threw Christie under the bus just as fast as Bridget was thrown under the bus by Christie. The Guns Over People tea potty eat their own. Democrats can sit back, eat popcorn and watch the show.
I am not a bully.
-Chris Christie.
I am not a monster
-Ariel Castro.
"you can keep your insurance if you like it" barryO
"you can keep your doctor if you want to " barryO
"I did not have sex with that woman" slick willy
"the benghazi attack was because of that movie" hillary
Either Christie is a bully, who rules with an iron fist, or he's a leader who does NOT have the respect of his staff as they "mislead" him at will.
Either way, Christie is a poor leader, and a mediocre manager; which places him among the best choices in the GOP line up of losers, whiners, liars, and despots.
Funny how the GOP talks Respect and Freedom, but cannot live their own words.
he's still head and shoulders above obama
What does that have to do with it, Bo? Christie's not running against Obama.
As a registered Democrat, I find the most troubling thing about Chritie's two hour press conference is the fact that he failed to acknowledge that it may have been something in his method of leadership and what he may have been unknowingly conveying to his staff as acceptable conduct that he failed to recognize. If he had recognized it, he could have corrected it because the recognition of a problem is the first step in correcting it. A good leader is able to correct his leadership faults when brought to his attention If Christie recognized what his leadership style was conveying to his staff, he's smart enough to have corrected that fault going forward. But, he can't correct it, without recognizing it. I find that to be sad because, assumining he had no involvement in Bridge Gate, the recognition and correction of is leadership faults could have made him a very good leader. That is not to say I agree with all of his policies because I don't. But, because not everyone agrees on policy, does not necessarily affect one's leadership abilities. Unfortunately, speaking as a registered Democratic, I believe his failure to recognize and correct his leadership faults has lost the Republican party a good leader whether one agrees or disagrees with his substantive polcies. Just look at George Patton. He was side lined after slapping that soldier in Sicily. But, after his error was brought to his attention, he learned and never slapped another soldier with post traumatic stress syndome again. As a result, he was placed in charge of the Third Army and became one of the greatest Generals this country has ever known.
I suggest you read history. You'll find out that the GOP does not have a monopoly on poor leadership and mediocre managment.
I'll take the competent bully (obviously I'm assuming he's competent) over the inept liar we have in the White House right now, and the inept liar the Dems want to nominate in 2016!!
IRS, Benghazi, Obamacare, people giving up on looking for work, etc, etc, etc. They are real, even if the press would love for it all to go away like a bad dream.
Is it my imagination or does the Gov. still believe there was a legitimate traffic study? He is not that stupid. Does anyone believe when he 1st learned about it that he didn't ask Wildstein or Baroni if they have any knowledge? Does anyone find it strange that the explanation for Baroni stepping down was that the Gov had already planned to replace him anyway? Think about it...he was there for 4 years and had 4 years of experience in the job. What CEO would hire someone, praise their tenure after 4 years and then replace them? Further, what experience did this Wildstein guy have to warrant a top job at PA? As I understand it his only experience was being a political blogger. if the dems want to attack the Gov they should use this opportunity to pick apart his judgment. if the Gov is smart he should clean his house and appoint both repubs and dems in his cabinet and inner circle. Look for Wildstein, Baroni and Kelly to wind up in high paying jobs at Christie supporter firms. In most circumstances Kelly would not be able to find a job as a gas station attendant but I bet she winds up in a 100k plus job.
If Christie is a bully, fine. Any thing beats the wimp in the white house we have now. Do want a pansy in the office or someone who will kick-A and take names ????
Kicking Ass is not synonymous with being a "bully." For example, every Sunday NFL players kick ass but they do it within rules that define the way they can kick their opponents ass.
Stephanie Cutter: If your guy, Obama was half the man Chris Christie is when it comes to telling the truth, answering questions with no spin, caring about the people who got hurt he might be able to lead a small town. Taking responsibility for your actions when it happens on your watch is something Obama has yet to do except for the screw-up on Obamacare web site. Christie is responsible and he took responsibility for it – when was the last time Obama took responsibility for ANYTHING? Stephanie, wake up and smell the roses.
When a politician says he accepts the "responsibility" for a mistake or improper action, I've always wondered what that means. Does it simply mean making the statement "I take responsibility" or is there something more to it? In the non-political world, to take responsibility means to accept the consequences and to make restitution for the acts committed. But, when a politician says "I take responsibility" what consequences is he/she accepting and what restitution is he/she promising. In trying to remain neutral, let me give two recent examples involving both parties. Obama took responsibility of the Obamacare mess but what restitution did he make to all the people who, due to the computer mess, were unable to obtain medical insurance in time and had to incur medical bills they would not have had to incur if the computer system worked properly. Likewise, Chritie took the responsibility for Bridge Gate (I hate that name) but what restitution did he promise to make to Fort Lee and all the other people inconvenienced, damaged, or injured by Bridge Gate. So, maybe you can answer for me the question, when a politician says "I take responsibility" what does that really mean? Is it a mere statement or is there something more to it?
The only Republican I might have voted for is now damaged goods. Guess the Tea Party will get their wish and put up another unelectable candidate!
To quote a very famous american 20th century philosopher: "It ain't over, til it's over." That's not to say I favor Christie but there's a long way to go. One thing I've learned, through decades of watching the actions of the american people, is you never know what they're going to do.
The release of the shocking Christie staff emails that possibly indicate political retribution against a mayor has become justifiable big time news, and also creates an atmosphere for investigative reporters to delve into some of Christie's other past committed possible retaliatory actions during his time as governor. At present I am aware New
Jersey had reported at least 5-7 other questionable acts so far. Have no idea if proven or not?
Big question for everyone. – does Chris Christie use bullying tactics? Due to his frequent personal planned usage of publicizing videos taping him attacking or belittling people attending, etc – sadly per our national medical APA guidelines
Christie's actions on those tapes would be some of the included characteristic symptoms bullies display. What is unknown, is how far he has gone??? How people actually feel though, will vary for multiple differing reasons
Now political retaliation occurs all across US, so what has occurred here is not surprising at all. I don't like it though.
I am medically quite upset this unnecessary, and unannounced, and retaliatory lane closure on one of busiest US bridges put peoples/citizens lives in danger during the commute time. Police, fire, emergency ambulance response times, etc. were slowed and some were increased by 3-4 times the normal.
As a college educated medical professional, whose husband was an appointed state EMS Commissioner and was CEO of own company and was highly involved in all EMS in a large city, and whose son is medical physician – we find Chris Christie's top close staff undertaken actions very shocking and quite alarming.
The multiple agencies that should be involved in the highly questionable, possibly bogus lane closure study, etc. were not involved at all.
To purposely for political retaliation expose people to these high risk dangers is despicable, and there are no excuses that can justify their actions. Accidental traffic jams for one day can be explained, but possible horrible resulting consequences can still occur but are also easily, but sadly explained too. All EMS providers responses couldn't have been prevented. This includes police, fire, ambulance, etc.etc. etc. The September lane closures can not be explained away at all.
Those of you who want to pooh-pooh all the the above EMS claims I made, please don't. My positions are entirely apolitical. Just remember it might someday be you in a life threatening accident where excellent EMS response time and immediate treatment may determine if you live or die. So far it appears Christie's staff was very lucky, as no terrible EMS reports seemed to occur. They sure could have though.
Now it's on to the investigations. And we can only wait as all unravels.
You are absolutely correct. I have a relative who is a Paramedic and who has brought more people back to life than I can count. He has told me of incidents where not only minutes, but seconds, can make the difference between life and death. To intentionally deprive those emergency medical workers of the minutes and seconds they need to save a life is beyond criminal.
It is really sad to see the heritage of CNN get totally washed down the toilet with this garbage. I mean, I recall as a kid, CNN used to be the most informative and objective news source...now it has become supermarket tabloid junk. RIP CNN!
If you can get past the Arab name, you may want to try Al Jazzera America for a change of pace. But,, as with all news media today, never abandon a healthy degree of skepticism.
Repubs are such amateurs when it comes to bullying and revenge politics it's embarassing. I suggest a new political party: BLT-PO, or Betrayed, Lied To and PO'd. Of course, it's independent, but who says the other two have any ideas that aren't bankrupt. Anger is a great motivator, but betrayal is even better.
If Repubs are "such amateurs when it comes to bullying and revenge politics," are you saying that the Dems are the "professionals" when it comes to these arts?
Bridgeghazi !!!
Maybe Issa will investigate a REAL scandal for a change.
Manipulating public services for revenge really isn't that different then doing it for profit. Is there a difference between Blagoyavich extorting campaign contributions in exchange for governmental favors and Christie using "governmental punishments" on those who don't support him politically?
Not really. Both are examples of using power granted by being elected to government office for personal purposes... be those financial (Blagoyavich) or revenge (Christie).
Your point being what? Therefore it's ok? This is the problem with the American electorate if my guy does it it's ok, if your guy does it it's not. Or as Kurt is suggesting well your guy did it so we can too, so there! so juvenile, have we adults lost our sense of what is right and what is wrong? To that I give an emphatic YES! Kurt here is a prime example. SAD
In the ideal world, there should be no revenge politics. But, our world is far from ideal and both Republicans and Democrats impose retribution on the others which they deem to be within acceptable limits. The problem with the actions of Christie's staff, here, is that they far exceeded what is deemed acceptable retaliation even by politicians.
No one cares about Benghazi. It's over. Move on.
Everyone should care about Benghazi and every other mess that has occurred throughout out history because: "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it." This is not my wisdom but the wisdom that has been repeated through the ages, in different ways, throughout history.