Althouse: Christie "embarrassed and humiliated."

January 9, 2014

Christie "embarrassed and humiliated."

“I am heartbroken that someone I permitted to be in that circle of trust for the past five years betrayed that trust... I am very sad person today... A person close to me betrayed me.”

88 comments:

CWJ said...: Reading the quoted passage, All I could think off was DeNiro in Meet the Fockers.; 1/9/14, 12:20 PM
Chef Mojo said...: "Embarrassed and humiliated."

Bullshit.; 1/9/14, 12:22 PM
Gahrie said...: Given the obvious comparasions to Obama and the monument shutdowns, I think it would be wise for the democrats to let this one die.; 1/9/14, 12:26 PM
MadisonMan said...: From what I saw (watched a little of it live) I thought he adopted the right tone. It certainly seems like he recognizes what a horrible thing it was that his aides (maybe with his knowledge, maybe not) did -- and not just in a political sense.; 1/9/14, 12:27 PM
Sorun said...: Getting caught is embarrassing and humiliating.; 1/9/14, 12:28 PM
James Pawlak said...: Mr. Christie has yet to declare he no longer supports the criminal-terrorist ideology called "
Islam".; 1/9/14, 12:28 PM
sunsong said...: How does this differ from the IRS scandal?; 1/9/14, 12:30 PM
RBB said...: "Under the bus you go, at the first sign of a political problem for me."

I'm disgusted with our political class. This was a classic attempt to preemptively winnow the opposition by the Democrats and their allies in the media. He could have fought it while pointing out it was nothing like using the IRS to shut down the TEA party. Instead he folded and threw someone under the bus. Such courage.; 1/9/14, 12:32 PM
Barry Dauphin said...: This is the foremost sort of apology of the day.; 1/9/14, 12:33 PM
Smilin' Jack said...: "Under the bus, no-longer-useful minion!"; 1/9/14, 12:34 PM
Hagar said...: Very Democrat language.
He should have just fired these people and moved on.
Never complain; never explain. It just gives them more ammunition.; 1/9/14, 12:36 PM
Illuninati said...: Chris Christie isn't ready for the big time. He made several mistakes:
1. He took responsibility for crimes and misdemeanors done under his regime. Claiming that he is heartbroken and saddened is the wrong approach, it makes him appear vulnerable. He should have said he was as surprised and angry as anyone else to hear what had happened.
2. Christie fired the aides who participated in the stunt. This gives him enemies who are motivated to get even. He should have said that he didn't know who was responsible and ordered a never ending investigation.
3. He should have minimized the seriousness of what his aides did. After all, what difference does it make now?; 1/9/14, 12:42 PM
SteveR said...: Well its good enough to set off the cavalcade regardless of the nature of the "offense" or the response. Nothing about the Gates book, Benghazi, IRS, NSA, etc. Republican Chris Christie, republican and potential pres candidate (BAD-EVIL-MUST BE DESTROYED) or not conservative enough republican and potential pres candidate (BAD-EVIL-MUST BE DESTROYED); 1/9/14, 12:43 PM
Tank said...: I don't much like Christie, but I heard his press conference live on the radio in my car and it seemed well done. Took the blame, sounded embarrassed and humiliated, fired a couple of people.

While I wouldn't want him to be President, he's about as good as we're gonna get in BLUE BLUE NJ. Guess it will be fun for the lefties though. On the other hand it is an awful lot like the IRS scandal (whatever happened to that? Oh, yeah, they're busy redefining terms so they can continue to harass the Tea Party). Noted at Legal Insurrection.; 1/9/14, 12:44 PM
Scott said...: Compare this issue and Christie's response with Benghazi and Hillary's response.; 1/9/14, 12:45 PM
Scott said...: Compare this issue and Christie's response with Benghazi and Hillary's response.; 1/9/14, 12:46 PM
Unknown said...: What difference, at this point, does it make?; 1/9/14, 12:46 PM
Revenant said...: You need at "Christie is like Obama" tag, Althouse.; 1/9/14, 12:46 PM
Scott said...: The Paranoid Style in American Politics; 1/9/14, 12:47 PM
Unknown said...: "How does this differ from the IRS scandal?"

Because of the incriminating email sent by Christie's deputy chief of staff. The equivalent on the IRS side would have been someone in Rahm Emannuel or Valerie Jarrett's office sending an email to the IRS commissioner saying, "Time for some tax audits for Tea Party groups!"; 1/9/14, 12:49 PM
Scott said...: In American politics, it's only bad if you get caught; and then only if you're Republican.; 1/9/14, 12:54 PM
Amexpat said...: CC is all in with this. If he spoke the truth about not knowing then he'll ride it out. If not, he's done for.; 1/9/14, 1:01 PM
Anonymous said...: This really illustrates the difference between the way Republicans and Democrats handle their scandals. Democrats are just more adept at it.; 1/9/14, 1:09 PM
Jaq said...: Having the press on your side is like having air superiority in battle. There is no substitute, and the Democrats have it, the Republicans do not.; 1/9/14, 1:18 PM
Jaq said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/9/14, 1:18 PM
Anonymous said...: Didn't hear the whole thing, but hope he added something along the lines of "Most dismaying of all, I can't believe my aides did this without thinking that it was something I would at least tacitly approve of. I need to reassess my communications with my staff to make it certain that such a misreading of my character never again occurs."; 1/9/14, 1:24 PM
traditionalguy said...: Christie is a good trial lawyer, as was Lincoln. But his goal is money and power.

The only way he got this far was as an antidote to Tea Party Republicans that live outside New England. And he was a guaranteed loser to Hillary. So this is a good day from my POV.; 1/9/14, 1:28 PM
Joe said...: How does this differ from the IRS scandal?

The man in charge fired someone.

(Has Obama ever fired anyone?); 1/9/14, 1:28 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: A diehard librul in my office had never heard of Lois Lerner or the IRS Tea Party issue until I compared Lerner to this Bridget Kelly this morning.; 1/9/14, 1:30 PM
Anonymous said...: ""How does this differ from the IRS scandal?"

Because of the incriminating email sent by Christie's deputy chief of staff. The equivalent on the IRS side would have been someone in Rahm Emannuel or Valerie Jarrett's office sending an email to the IRS commissioner saying, "Time for some tax audits for Tea Party groups!"

This is too complicated. Using Occam's Razor, the simplest answer is enough to suffice.

How is it different?

One scandal is a Democrat scandal, the other is a Republican scandal.

That is how they differ.; 1/9/14, 1:32 PM
The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...: I hope it does sink him. A President Christie would never be anything but more of the same.; 1/9/14, 1:37 PM
garage mahal said...: Is this just a distraction from ObamaCare? Or the Woodward book?; 1/9/14, 1:37 PM
Revenant said...: It *is* a bit pathetic how much attention the news media is giving this story, compared to much more damning stories that might hurt Democrats.

But I'm really hoping Christie never achieves national office... so I'll let it slide. :); 1/9/14, 1:41 PM
Anonymous said...: Difference is: IRS scandal was a preemptive strike against Dear Leader's political enemies in an election. Christie's scandal is post election when he could be magnanimous, yet he chose to be petty.

Another difference, a second term president could afford to be petty and underhanded, the small man has nothing to lose. As they say, what can you do about it? A second term governor who aspires to be Dear Leader has everything to lose.; 1/9/14, 1:46 PM
Brennan said...: "I tried to distribute the sequestor cuts across all budget lines in order to minimize their impact on staff and operations. I was ordered to make the cuts as painful and inconvenient as possible." - said every Federal government administrator last year to Congress.

Media...*Crickets*...; 1/9/14, 1:48 PM
madAsHell said...: I was expecting the:
"Hey, I read about it in the newspaper this morning....just like you!"; 1/9/14, 1:56 PM
Joe Schmoe said...: I'm glad he's being accountable for this (provided he didn't initiate it or otherwise have prior knowledge of it).

The whole point of government is to serve the public. Using government to fuck up everyone's commute and delay emergency service is the antithesis of public service.

Democrats are more concerned with optics and elections, thus they are never accountable. And so far it hasn't hurt them in the last 5 years. Some day it will.; 1/9/14, 2:03 PM
garage mahal said...: Not sure why Christie is getting held responsible for something his aides did. Scott Walker was never held responsible for his aides getting sent to jail.; 1/9/14, 2:04 PM
mccullough said...: All apologies; 1/9/14, 2:11 PM
jacksonjay said...: Unknown sez:

"How does this differ from the IRS scandal?"

Because of the incriminating email sent by Christie's deputy chief of staff. The equivalent on the IRS side would have been someone in Rahm Emannuel or Valerie Jarrett's office sending an email to the IRS commissioner saying, "Time for some tax audits for Tea Party groups!"

Of course we really don't know much about the IRS scandal. MSM isn't interested! FBI isn't interested! DOJ just named an Obama contributor to investigate! I'm sure that Holder and this DOJ lawyer, Barbara Bosserman will get to the bottom of this thing!

Chances are, the Tea Party is behind the targeting of the Tea Party!; 1/9/14, 2:21 PM
SteveR said...: Scott Walker was never held responsible for his aides getting sent to jail.

Right garage, as usual. Context and accuracy fail; 1/9/14, 2:48 PM
lemondog said...: DNC Rapid Response; 1/9/14, 2:49 PM
garage mahal said...: Context and accuracy fail

What's inaccurate or missing context?; 1/9/14, 2:49 PM
Om said...: When he thought it was an official traffic study, he mocked the mayor and the people of Fort Lee.

But when it's clear that it was merely political retribution, now he feels badly for them?

Sorry, but that isn't very logical. Even if it was a legitimate traffic study, the inconvenience (at best) or the public safety risk (at worst) to the people of Fort Lee was the same. He should have been sympathetic either way. And been looking into it months ago.

The only reasonable conclusion is that he feels badly that he's been caught in a scandal, and wants to minimize the damage.; 1/9/14, 2:53 PM
SJ said...: On the one hand, this looks like Obama tossing people under the bus when they are no longer useful.

On the other hand, Christie didn't give a set of quiet excuses. He didn't try to say "mistakes were made".

He said "one of my underlings did something wrong, and I am punishing him for doing it."

Christie has a better moral compass. Or at least, he talks like a person who has a moral compass.

(I can't tell if Christie would have ignored or quietly approved the deeds of his underling, had it not resulted in headlines containing the word "Scandal." Christie is, after all, a politician.
But a man who gives a speech like that, and clearly identifies who did wrong, and how that wrongdoing is resulting in punishment, is a man who understands what a code of ethics is. And can communicate that understanding to voters.); 1/9/14, 2:57 PM
Alex said...: Can't a politician ever catch a break?; 1/9/14, 2:57 PM
lgv said...: Analogy?

How about:

Government/Christie Administration/Christie/Staffer

Mafia/Soprano Family/Tony Soprano/Capo

Sometimes the Capo had to take the wrap and do the time. His family was taken care of and he got a job when he got out.

Kind of like Susan Rice and the other State Department hacks.

I guess he could have said, "I take full responsibility" like Hillary and then go about his business.; 1/9/14, 3:02 PM
KCFleming said...: The Hillary Death Theorem:
(At least) 4 deaths can occur because of a Democrat's actions without reprisals. (Upper limit remains uncertain.)

No deaths may occur because of a Republican's actions without reprisals.

The Romney Death Corollary:
A republican can be blamed for death(s) not remotely related to his actions.; 1/9/14, 3:09 PM
Skeptical Voter said...: They all do it--or so some will say. The difference here is that Christie fired the fall guy--and Sebelius is still Secretary of HHS; Lerner is on paid administrative leave, and the rest of the cast of screw ups and ne'er do wells that Obama and his minions appointed are still on government salaries.; 1/9/14, 3:16 PM
SteveR said...: What's inaccurate or missing context?

Just don't worry about it garage, its not complicated. Everything's seen through your Scott Walker lenses.; 1/9/14, 3:17 PM
traditionalguy said...: Christie is the victim here. He was only in the olive oil business, and his bad Family let him down.

I guess that means Sir Scott Walker gets the nomination by default. That should excite Garage.

Is Walker really Scots-Irish? How is his golf game, that will tell the tale. Being a Baptist makes him an offshoot from Calvinist Presbyterians.

That all bodes well for support from the Tea Party folks who will see him as a northern cousin.; 1/9/14, 3:21 PM
MadisonMan said...: The difference here is that Christie fired the fall guy

How long before some crony hires the poor unfortunate who orchestrated this thing. In the Real World they would be toxic for any hire.; 1/9/14, 3:24 PM
Eric said...: He obviously doesn't have what it takes. He hangs the fiasco on Sebelius and then he fires her. Oh wait, I think I may have the wrong name. I'll check and get right back.; 1/9/14, 3:42 PM
Curious George said...: "garage mahal said...
Not sure why Christie is getting held responsible for something his aides did. Scott Walker was never held responsible for his aides getting sent to jail."

Well, after years and millions spent looking for a connection to Walker, none was ever found. Secons, aides? COuld you name 'em?; 1/9/14, 3:52 PM
lemondog said...: Has the WH contacted the NSA?

Surely the NSA has all the evidence.; 1/9/14, 3:54 PM
madAsHell said...: From the Washington Post:

I was blindsided yesterday morning. I was done with my workout yesterday morning and got a call from my communications director at about 8:50, 8:55, informing me of this story that had just broken on the Bergen Record website.

Yikes!! My expectations have been met. He heard about it in the newspaper just like you and me!!; 1/9/14, 3:55 PM
mtrobertsattorney said...: Haven't heard from Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Kelly yet.

She could clear up this whole thing once and for all.; 1/9/14, 4:00 PM
Titus said...: His security guard is a huge dyke.; 1/9/14, 4:08 PM
Paul said...: Ah.... so this is what it is like when the FAT MAN sings!

Finto for Christie.

And I don't shed a tear. He is a RINO, and a sad one at that. I'd vote for Rahm before I'd vote for Christie for at least Rahm knows just what he is and is proud of it.

Christie is unfit to remove the sandals from most anybodies feet.; 1/9/14, 4:27 PM
viator said...: His team was stupid. But this is not about him. It is battlespace preparation for Hillary.; 1/9/14, 4:34 PM
viator said...: "In less than 24 hours, the big three networks have devoted 17 times more coverage to a traffic scandal involving Chris Christie than they've allowed in the last six months to Barack Obama's Internal Revenue Service controversy"

Scott Whitlock; 1/9/14, 4:37 PM
garage mahal said...: Well, after years and millions spent looking for a connection to Walker, none was ever found

No connection besides the fact they were his friends and that Walker hired them and worked for him right down the hall.; 1/9/14, 4:56 PM
Curious George said...: "garage mahal said...
Well, after years and millions spent looking for a connection to Walker, none was ever found

No connection besides the fact they were his friends and that Walker hired them and worked for him right down the hall. "

Right, no connection.

And still waiting for the names of these "aides".; 1/9/14, 5:01 PM
Kelly said...: I didn't see the press conference, but a Facebook friend who is non political posted that she believes him. I'm surprised she even knows about it, but I guess that is a testament to how much the press is covering the scandal.; 1/9/14, 5:09 PM
Anonymous said...: Sheesh, Pogo, you've been a big morbid lately, get it, morbid? Heheh.; 1/9/14, 5:28 PM
Revenant said...: I guess that is a testament to how much the press is covering the scandal.

So far as I can tell from wandering past the lobby TV a few times today, it is the only thing CNN is talking about.

It reminded me of the good old days when Bush was president and the news media actually talked about political scandals. :); 1/9/14, 5:36 PM
SomeoneHasToSayIt said...: This is what leadership looks like, Lefties. Obama looks juvenile, in comparison.

This is NOT throwing people under the bus. This is holding people accountable.; 1/9/14, 5:43 PM
Pianoman said...: It's like Insty always says -- if you want the press to hold politicians to a higher standard, vote GOP ...; 1/9/14, 5:50 PM
Alex said...: It should be noted that Christie won 1.2 million votes in the 2013 re-election out of 8.8 total million people who live in New Jersey.

That's 14%.; 1/9/14, 5:52 PM
Gabriel Hanna said...: Laying it on a bit thick there, Gov.

If your success has been due to your straight-shootin' bully boy persona you're not going to pull of hurt and betrayed very well.; 1/9/14, 6:01 PM
gadfly said...: This is Christie's Benghazi. The Drive By Media has elevated Krispy Kreme Chris to front-runner status for the 2016 election, so he will now get the Palin treatment for the next 2 3/4 years. It couldn't have happened to anyone more progressive while masquerading as a Republican.; 1/9/14, 6:10 PM
garage mahal said...: Right, no connection

Walker opening a criminal defense fund and hiring mob lawyers from Chicago is a good indication Walker thought there were connections.

Think Christie will have to lawyer up like Walker?; 1/9/14, 6:14 PM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: At least someone got canned. Of course Christie is full of it, but at least someone paid. If I'd been stuck in that jam I'd never vote for him again.

Why is the Secretary of HHS still employed?; 1/9/14, 6:28 PM
Derve Swanson said...: At least someone got canned. Of course Christie is full of it
-----

Raise your accountability standards.

The Asian CEOs know how to handle poor performance.

Not accepting this as leadership.; 1/9/14, 7:08 PM
ken in tx said...: I don't think Obama directed the DOJ, the EPA, or the IRS to harass his political enemies. He didn't have to because they had been led to believe he would be pleased if they did. I think the Christie case is about the same. I don't think he knew about it, but if they had gotten away with it, he would not have complained.

However, I think he handled it more honorably than Obama has.; 1/9/14, 7:35 PM
ken in tx said...: I don't think Obama directed the DOJ, the EPA, or the IRS to harass his political enemies. He didn't have to because they had been led to believe he would be pleased if they did. I think the Christie case is about the same. I don't think he knew about it, but if they had gotten away with it, he would not have complained.

However, I think he handled it more honorably than Obama has.; 1/9/14, 7:36 PM
cubanbob said...: CC is full of crap. I'm a Republican and I expect better than from a Republican who has aspirations for president. If I wanted corrupt and arrogant and mendacious and incompetent I would vote for a Hillary or an Obama. Your typical Democrats.

On what planet does CC really believe that the governor of a state that is geographically not that big but heavily populated would not be aware of this type of traffic congestion on one of the most heavily travelled roadways in the country never mind his state? The huge disruption to the citizens of his state and the impact on business? All because of a traffic study?
Sorry don't buy it for a second. Just acting like a typical thug machine Democrat politician.; 1/9/14, 7:53 PM
cubanbob said...: CC is full of crap. I'm a Republican and I expect better than from a Republican who has aspirations for president. If I wanted corrupt and arrogant and mendacious and incompetent I would vote for a Hillary or an Obama. Your typical Democrats.

On what planet does CC really believe that the governor of a state that is geographically not that big but heavily populated would not be aware of this type of traffic congestion on one of the most heavily travelled roadways in the country never mind his state? The huge disruption to the citizens of his state and the impact on business? All because of a traffic study?
Sorry don't buy it for a second. Just acting like a typical thug machine Democrat politician.; 1/9/14, 7:54 PM
David said...: "In the questions from reporters, Mr. Christie strained to explain how his organization could be as close as family — they celebrated birthdays and parties together — but that they would not include him in either the decision to close the lanes in September, or tell him about it during the months of questions since then."

Sounds to me just like a family. Families are full of secrets.

Also sounds to me like the idea staffer. The ideal staffer does the dirty work and does not tell the boss. Cf. Hillary Clinton.; 1/9/14, 8:45 PM
Curious George said...: "garage mahal said...
Right, no connection

Walker opening a criminal defense fund and hiring mob lawyers from Chicago is a good indication Walker thought there were connections.

Think Christie will have to lawyer up like Walker?"

I get it garage, nothing. I am still waiting to hear who these aides are that went to jail.; 1/9/14, 9:49 PM
Steven said...: But this is not about him. It is battlespace preparation for Hillary.

No, it isn't. Well, I mean, unless the people doing battlespace preparation are total idiots.

In the last forty years, every time the Republicans ran someone who the base disliked, they lost. Ford, Bush 41 when he ran for his second term, Dole, McCain, Romney? All lost. In the same forty years, every time they nominated someone who had the solid support of the base, they won. Reagan, Reagan, Bush41 running as the heir of Reagan in '88, Bush43 in '04? All won.

And the election where the outcome was just barely a GOP victory (2000) but the popular vote went the other way was when the nominee was someone the base was iffy about but didn't actively dislike.

The absolute biggest favor anyone can do the GOP at this point is destroy the prospects of anyone the base dislikes, so the party establishment can't make someone absolutely certain to lose in the general the candidate.; 1/10/14, 12:25 AM
rcommal said...: Well, I'm late to the party here, but anyway.

I saw and accepted a couple-so to few years ago as reality and fact that Chris Christie (nor anyone akin to him) cannot and will not be the Republican nominee for president in 2016 or, most likely, **ever** because he he cannot and will not make it through the primaries and caucuses, where the base of the Republican Party, who despise him, have the most influence because they have worked hardest and most consistently to have that influence, and, therefore, they've earned it. That is not snark on my part. That is my recognition of the reality.

If I know that, surely Republicans and Conservatives and whatever combinations and permutations therein, do as well. So, given that he's a nonstarter , why the piling on from the Right side of the spectrum as well as the Left side?; 1/10/14, 1:16 AM
Scott M said...: A DNC-type friend of mine quipped, ""I had no idea we were selling guns to Iran." Oh wait, that was the other guy........lol" in regards to Christie saying he had just found out about this bridge/email thing.

When I asked him why he would stretch all the way back to Reagan when the current administration is replete with perfectly parallel examples, he said;

"Because I like pointing out GOP failings. I'm a registered Democrat. I'll always acknowledge Obama/Democratic shortcomings if asked. I'm invested in seeing my side win."; 1/10/14, 9:04 AM
Steven said...: So, given that he's a nonstarter , why the piling on from the Right side of the spectrum as well as the Left side?

Because your "given" is blatantly false. Given the last two candidates were McCain and Romney, the idea that the base has control of the presidential primary process is absolutely ludicrous.; 1/10/14, 4:25 PM
rcommal said...: No, it is not "blatantly" false.

Perhaps you think of the base as a nationwide thing. But it is not. In terms of electoral politics, it is state by state, caucus/primary by caucus/primary. What the base does in the earliest part of the run-up to the primary/caucus season (and that includes a few months before the firsts of those) has tremendous affect on the play-outs in the earliest caucuses/primaries.; 1/11/14, 12:18 AM
rcommal said...: McCain did not have to be the candidate for 2008 and even less did Romney have to be the candidate for 2012.; 1/11/14, 12:34 AM
rcommal said...: McCain did not have to be the candidate for 2008 and even less did Romney have to be the candidate for 2012.; 1/11/14, 12:34 AM
rcommal said...: Well, the base *is* a nationwide thing in a particular sense, but in that sense it runs the risk of shooting into its own foot. See the Iowa Straw Poll results of 2011, for one example.; 1/11/14, 12:42 AM