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In the Crossfire: Can we believe Gov. Chris Christie?
Tonight on Crossfire: Did Governor Chris Christie's extraordinary, nearly two-hour news conference keep alive his chances to be president? Christie said he found out for the first time Wednesday that one of his top aides had been connected to the scandal and immediately fired her. But is it enough? Read the full story here.
At 6:30pm ET, Republican strategist John Brabender and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson join S.E. Cupp and Stephanie Cutter in the Crossfire to debate the Christie controversy.
We want you to weigh in: Do you think Chris Christie told the truth today?
Vote by tweeting Yes or No using #Crossfire or comment on our Facebook post. View results below or through our Poptip results page.
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
Good question... And in all fairness and objectivity we need a segment on "Can we trust Obama"
Why don't you report the fact that a top military official just reported that Obama knew Bengazi was a terrorist attack. I think that is much more important than the Christie so called scandal. The creep was asleep in bed. Did NOTHING to help the ambassador or navy seals. This is new news Fox beat you again.
Who cares? Can't wait to see the GOBP stuff Jeb Bush down the tea potty's throats 2012 Mitt the twit style.
NATHAN: It doesn't matter whether we believe Christie; he is a dead man walking on the national stage. He now carries more baggage than a Southwest redcap. They may love him in Jersey, but that's it.
One can believe Christie, NO MORE than one can believe one Barack Hussein Obama or another Hillary Rodham-Clinton..
Ha!
This is New Jersey politics. Follow the money!
Whether in New Jersey or elsewhere, one should always follow the money. Remember, the FBI got Al Capone in Chicago by following the money which led to his conviction for tax evasion.
Governor Chris Christi has more integrity than our present Leader, who likes to play the blame game. He would be great on the Olympic sculling team, because they are always rowing BACKWARDS!🚣
Integrity does not come in gradations. Either you have it or you don't.
What politicians don't play the blame game? Have you ever watched a political debate in which success is defined by which candidate can place the most blame on the other. Politicians learn this game at an early age. It's called pinning the tail on the donkey.
chris christie is one fatso. he'll die of heart attack soon enough
Felicia: Is there a scale that we can use to measure integrity? If so, what level on the scale is a passing grade for integrity?
Felecia: Very bad analogy. Crews row backwards because that's how races are won.
the apple doesn't fall far from the tree – nothing needs to be said.
That's obviously an old adage but have you ever analyzed it for yourself. For example, have you ever asked yourself if one rotten apple falls from a tree, does that necessarily make the entire tree rotten or all the other apples produced by that tree rotten? If one branch of a tree is rotten, does that make the entire tree rotten? If one rotten branch is cut from a tree, is the remainder of the tree healthy? Does one judge the health of a tree by one rotten able or by examining the core of a tree's trunk?
Let's see how much of a news story we can make out of a traffic jam. After all, if we can't occupy the media for a few days, we'll have to report on Obamacare collapsing, Obama lying about people losing their care, the IRS being used by the president to silence political opponents, Benghazi, and a host of examples of Obama incompetence and corruption.
Besides, a traffic jam is bigger news than any of that, anyway!
If you've watched enough news, you should know by now that the concentration level of news broadcasters lasts as long as the pedals on a magnolia triee. Once no new pedals appear, their concentration is gone and they immediately switch to another tree in bloom. How many times have you seen news reporters go back and do a follow up story on a tree no longer in bloom? It happens, but, rarely. The credo of the news is: "If it ain't happening now, forget about it."
Stack Pointer: Let's say that all you wrote is true. So what? The only reason Christie's in the news is because he was a potential GOP candidate in 2016; not any more – he's dead meat nationally. President Obama will be gone in three years, to be followed by Hillary, because women make up 53% of the voting pool and the GOP has been pi$$ing on women for at least six years. That hubris will haunt them in 2016.
I dont think Christie, knew about it – simply because any governer that would get involved in something like this would have to be simple minded, it's a huge liability and for what purpose- to extract some petty retribution, against some small town mayor? make no sense. However, it does show- how the people below him may have concluded they received a wink in nod from, that fat slob. Unfortunately for the govener, this fits hand in glove with, his big shut nj tuff guy bs, so it sticks no matter how he tries to talk his way out of it. That's the problem, in politics and business in playing the bully- when the poop hits the fan- no way to stay clean of it- because your always throwing it yourself. fat boy is done.
Though remote and far fetched, there is one possibility that could explain how Christie could have approved this. In the flurry of activity that abounds in his office a staffer could have quickly described the plan to him While in engaged in other matters, he didn't think it through. Instead, he may have simply thought: There's traffic jams at the GWB every day (without exception,) So, adding another traffic jam will irritate the Fort Lee mayor without being significant to drivers who are already accustomed to traffic jams at the GWB. Though this possibility is far fetched and remote, I don't think it can be simply disgarded.
Bullies and revenge seekers are simple minded. They must seek revenge – it is in their mindset. If actual governing with integrity was first and foremost in the administration of Chris Christie this never would have happened.
It is absolutely beyond belief that Christie did not:
1. Immediately call his appointee on the Port Authority when the lane closures became a public debate; surely the governor would have wanted to know why a horrendous traffic jam was caused in a town in his state, especially since there were already rumors that his administration was behind the lane closures.
2. Ever ask Bridget Kelly why she had worked to get the lanes closed; absolutely unbelievable that he would fire her in the midst of the firestorm but never bother to ask her why she did what she did.
U N B E L I E V A B L E.
He knew he needed deniability which is why he didn't talk to anyone. When you know you need deniability it is because you already know what's going on. You are right – the fact that he talked to no one about any of this is actually proof that he knew exactly what was going on.
Let me think. Christie negotiating with Iran? no, North Korea? no, almost any nut case. Reassuring???
I'm not sure that would be bad. Foreign countries like to deal with leaders who are consistent and whose actions they can reasonably project, A maverick like Christie might scare the hell out of them and cause them to be more circumspect before taking actions since they won't be able to reliably forecast what Christie might do.
He let,a mother of four take the fall! Pretty scary!
That is just wrong, I agree with you. But??? How many people have died from Obammys ineptness. Where to start?? Ben Ghazi?? Fast and furious ?? sending troops into Afgan ??? It goes on and on
Obama isn't expected to be motivated by decency or virtue- because that's who and what he is. So in american society apparently that means he is above reprieve. It's like getting expecting, a basketball player, to be a brainsurgeon and the ngetting mad at him because he isn't- it's not logical.
That may prove to be the case. But, at this point, I have not seen any evidence to support that conclusion. Please post the facts supporting your conclusion.
Given her involvement, she deserved to fall regardless of how many children she has. The question that remains is: Should Christie have fallen with her?
Bridge-t(errorist) Ann Kelly For Over 5 Years .... is Christie's Top Deputy Chief Aide......
... Does anyone Really Believe........
"Bridget Decided On Her Own ..... to Close Busiest BRIDGE In the World" ... and then Lie About this to Christie her Boss and longtime... mentor, .... Along with 5 other Staff/high school buddies Port Authority Appointees, who also "Conspired against their friend and Boss"?
Oh, the George Washington Bridge is available for a really cheap price! .... Oh Yeah !
Agreed. Highly questionable. A monumental traffic snarl for 4 days and Christie knows nothing about this? Credibility evaporating rapidly.
Does anyone believe Obammy didn't know about F & F , The IRS, Ben Ghazi, I agree with you if they didn't know they should of.
Did Kelly do this on her own? That's a very interesting question. She didn't necessarily need the approval of Christie but, unless she has no brain at all, it would seem she would have, at least, obtained the OK of the Chief of Staff. But, that doesn't mean Christie knew because, part of the job of the Chief of Staff, is to protect the Governor from blame. But, if the Chief of Staff approved it, then the question becomes what in Christie's leadership style and example caused the Chief of Staff to believe this action would be acceptable to Christie?
Fixed News refuses to report hardly anything about Christie at all on TV and their pundits tell the viewers that the news should ignore this little scandal and stay focused only on Benghazi and the IRS. They've ordered their lemmings to "go google it". Basically they've loosened their believers out on social media to fight it out with everyone who doesn't agree with Roger Ailes. The Benghazombies just repeat what they've been brainwashed with from the 24/7 Obama Hate Channel – they can't help it. That's my viewpoint.
That's why I don't turn on Faux news. 😉
Are you surprised? Haven't you noticed the change in news objectivity since the days of Walter Cronkite?
Chris Christie is a classic CRIMINAL!
People who are morbidly obese can rationalize that quart of ice cream they eat after lunch and dinner.
RATIONALIZATION is how criminals are able to conduct and live with their crimes, and commit them again, and again.
Chris Christie was effective as a prosecutor because he THINKS and ACTS like CRIMINAL.
Christie understood the criminal mind, because he is one!
Christie became a prosecutor because he knew that if he did anything else he would prosecuted as a CRIMINAL.
As a prosecutor, it was highly unlikely that Christie would be prosecuted by anyone else.
When Christie was reelected his ego went wild, and he felt that he could rationalize the most EGREGIOUS of actions.
Closing lanes for FOUR DAYS in a row for NO reason, on the most heavily traveled bridge in the world.. NO problemo for a CRIMINAL.
Then LYING to cover up the CRIMINAL behavior: Standard operation procedure for a CRIMINAL!
Everyone is concerned about the FAT CATs that control the Republican party...
So, what is the answer from the MORONS in the Republican party?
Make a FAT LYING CRIMINAL PIG the National face of your party!
The republicans never cease to amaze me with their utter STUPIDITY!
Clearly, LOGIC and the Republican party do not mix!
Wow, a little unhinged ??? Are we ??? Keep in mind this is the norm under Obammy who won BIGGEST LIAR OF THE YEAR. If the pres lies every day don't you think others will too????
Freedom of speech is an important right. However, it places on us the responsibility to assure our statements are reasonably supported by facts. You have failed to abide that responsibility. If you believe I am in error, please post the facts that support your conclusions.
Christy bullied the Mayor of Fort Lee into taking a meeting with Christy so Christy could apologize to him after the Maor, on CNN the previious night, said he didn't want the apology. That's the very definition of BULLY.
And Cristy showed thaqt he is the worst judge of character to ever hold political office: multiple close employees, exdecuties of the sate of NJ appointed by Christy, "Betrayed" him; and, apparently Christy ahd no inking, after working 5 years with them, that they were capable of "Betrayal". Of course, stopping traffic between two states is interfering with interstate commerce, but a funny way to conspire in a betrayal.
I do not intend to defend Gov. Christie but we do not know why the Mayor of Fort Lee changed his mind and met with Christie. Could it have been Christie simply convinced him, through reason, that the meeting was appropriate. After the meeting, the Mayor did say he was happy that Christie made the trip and met with him. I don't know the answer but neither do you. But, I see nothing that discounts this possibility and, therefore, your conclusion is based on mere speculation.
So the same people who believe Barry and his lies on numerous issues chose to dis-believe Christie on his one issue.
The facts WILL come out just like they did for Barry, sooner or later. History will decide.
BTW:
Surprise! Walmart health plan is cheaper, offers more coverage than Obamacare
By RICHARD POLLOCK | JANUARY 7, 2014 AT 5:05 AM
Which part of the ACA is "affordable"?
This reminds me more of Nixon than of Obama.
Unfortunately, what underlies most of the comments is not facts but prejudice. While it is totally appropriate to express reasonable inferences from the facts, opinions expressed based on pure speculation and prejudice is devastating to a fruitful conversation and a search for the truth.
Why's Christie so surprised that someone lied to him? In politics, you never know who's telling the truth and there's always a scandal going on. I honestly couldn't tell if he was telling the truth but the victim wasn't him because someone died because of the bridge road/closures. I can't see anyone standing on national television for nearly two hours if they weren't telling the truth. Before he fired of his aide, he should of found out why or at least asked questions to give everyone else more details and even he wanted to know "Why she did it or got involved?" This was his employee so, he should of asked her. It doesn't matter if she ends up in court as a witness either, because he's not going to be talking for his aid. I think he talked to long because now they will use everything he said, as a for sure witness to be against him if he wasn't telling the truth. I hope he was telling the truth because he seems to always be very blunt and straight to the point but he doesn't all seem like a bully to me like people portray him as.
Whether Christie should have asked Kelly about what happened before firing her is subject to reasonable debate. I do not think there is any right answer. Speaking for myself, as a person who spent 20 years in upper management, if I had learned a trusted staff member lied to me, that would have been all I needed to know. He or she would have been fired on the spot. One of the reasons I would not have gone further into inquiring about what happened, is if they lied to me already, how could I ever trust what they would tell me about the substance of what happened? Their focus would be on protecting themselves from further repercussions and, with that focus, what I could expect is simply more lies.
I believe that he is not to be trusted and I would never consider him for a 2016 presidential candidate. Thank heavens he showed his true colors.
And our current president's track record on honesty is so pristine.
Put away the kool aid and think for your self.
@ Dave, you are preaching to choir, couldn't agree with you more !!!
If we begin to judge Christie on the conduct of past and present politicians, we are in real trouble given the number of politicians we have had that have been found guilty of wrongdoing. The standard should not be the wrongdoing by other politicians but what we, as americans, should demand of the conduct of our politicians.
I believe Christie as much as I believe Obama.
I'm sorry reflect the same sentiment. II would like to believe in someone but It's clear they're all cronies and crooks, cooking their corrupt concoctions, serving only themselves with power and greed as the engine. Good thing they're public servants, serving the people and not getting paid much of taxpayers money. Oh wait ...
I'm sorry to reflect the same sentiment. II would like to believe in someone but It's clear they're all cronies and crooks, cooking their corrupt concoctions, serving only themselves with power and greed as the engine. Good thing they're public servants, serving the people and not getting paid much of taxpayers money. Oh wait ...
Even in Apology Christie is a Bully
While taking no personal responsibility for this CRIMINAL ACT Christie once again showed his 'bully boy' side by telling us he has INSTRUCTED people to do things over which he does not have the LEGAL AUTHORITY to demand of them! He has INSTRUCTED his long-time campaign manager Bill Stepian to withdraw as a consultant to the Republican Governors Association...Christie does not have the AUTHORITY to do that! And he INSTRUCTED someone else to withdraw their nomination to lead the NJ state Republican Party, but Christie is not 'the boss of that' either.
People who have worked for Christie in his highest levels of staff and associates WOULD NOT close the GW bridge if they didn't think it was what he wanted. Chris Christie and/or his staff gave Lap Band surgery to the George Washington Bridge for mob-style political payback. He will not win another election for office, of any kind.
http://ChipShirley.Com/
Even in Apology Christie is a Bully-
While taking no personal responsibility for this CRIMINAL ACT Christie once again showed his 'bully boy' side by telling us he has INSTRUCTED people to do things over which he does not have the LEGAL AUTHORITY to demand of them! He has INSTRUCTED his long-time campaign manager Bill Stepian to withdraw as a consultant to the Republican Governors Association...Christie does not have the AUTHORITY to do that! And he INSTRUCTED someone else to withdraw their nomination to lead the NJ state Republican Party, but Christie is not 'the boss of that' either.
People who have worked for Christie in his highest levels of staff and associates WOULD NOT close the GW bridge if they didn't think it was what he wanted. Chris Christie and/or his staff gave Lap Band surgery to the George Washington Bridge for mob-style political payback. He will not win another election for office, of any kind.
http://ChipShirley.Com/
I'm curious. If you were Governor, under these circumstances, what would you have done? Would you have remained silent and allowed Bill Stephan to remain as a consultant?
I don't know the answer to this next question but did you consider whether Gov. Christie's position as Chairman to the Republican Governor's Association may have given him the authority to instruct Stephan to set down as consultant?
Can we believe any thing from Obamma after winning BIGGEST LIAR OF YHE YEAR ??? Don't trust any of them, wasn't there just an article about how most of them are millionaires, what a joke.
What does this have to do with Obama. This is all Christie and no one else. Read the article.
It has to do with lying, which Obammy has PHD In. Try to keep up !!!!!
Republicans won two "Lie of the Year" from Politifact on what they said about Obamacare. Romney won one "Lie of the Year" on the Jeep controversy in 2012. In the 5-year history of the "Lie of the Year" award, Republicans won three of them. Why would anyone believe anything from Republicans?
Having listened to politicians for decades, I cannot say that either party has a monopoly on "lying," or "telling half truths," or "misrepresentations." Unfortunately, whatever politicians say cannot be accepted as trustworthy. As citizens, we are forced to be skeptical of every word they say which is a very sad commentary on our political system and the manner in which we select our governmental leaders. To be elected, one needs to be a bullshit artist in order to give all those speeches necessary to become elected. Then, after they get elected, we criticize them for being bullshit artists.
Your #s are off a little but pretty close, its not repubs are dems, ITs ALL of THEM, Obamma needs to held accountable and everyone else will fall in line, Obamma at min could be charged with False Advertising, for stating you can keep your insurance period. As far as Romney and Jeep, that just happened but Fiat was declared owner, take a wild guess who holds most their stock. This normally takes 2-3 years to happen. If I was to bet I say Romney probably had some inside info.
So what Romney said was a stretch, according to you. It just happened? Romney claimed that Jeep was moving production of its trucks to China, and put up an ad based on that claim even though his claim had been denied by Jeep and debunked by fact-checkers. Sarah Palin won one "Lie of the Year" on the "death panels" claim, before Obama passed his health care law, and Republicans won another "Lie of the Year" on the claim that "government is taking over health care." As most people have noticed, insurance companies are still around. You said that it is not repubs or dems ("repubs are dems" makes no sense), and everyone will fall in line if Obama is held responsible. History shows otherwise. Republicans won their "Lie of the Year" long before Obama won his. Palin won her "Lie of the Year" even before Obama passed his health care law. In fact, Politifact started its "Lie of the Year" award after Palin made her "death panels" claim.
A minority of people could not keep their insurance plans under Obamacare. Because Obama's promise is not true for some people, Republicans say that Obama blatantly lied. So, are Republican claims on "death panels" and "government is taking over health care" blatant lies too? Those claims are not completely true, are they?
Have it occurred to you that what Obama said is true for most Americans? Most Americans get to keep their insurance plans. While a minority of Americans got their plans canceled, they were still offered plans, but at higher costs. Obama did not promise that your premiums will never, ever rise. Most likely, even people who get to keep their plans are paying higher premiums. Insurance companies like to raise premiums, and they have been raising premiums on everyone before Obamacare. News flash: they are still doing that under Obamacare.