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Chris Christie promises to cooperate in 'Bridgegate' investigations Chris Christie promises to co-operate in 'Bridgegate' investigations
(about 20 hours later)
New Jersey governor Chris Christie on Tuesday used his annual State Of The State address to promise the voters of New Jersey that he would co-operate with all “appropriate inquiries” into the “Bridgegate” scandal, and vowed to ensure that “this breach of trust does not happen again”. New Jersey governor Chris Christie on Tuesday used his annual state of the state address to promise the voters of New Jersey that he would co-operate with all “appropriate inquiries” into the “Bridgegate” scandal, and vowed to ensure that “this breach of trust does not happen again”.
Christie, who until the scandal erupted last week had been seen as a potential frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, made his second profuse apology in five days as he addressed the state assembly in Trenton. Unlike his two-hour press conference last Thursday, in which he said he had been deceived by aides over an act of political revenge that caused traffic misery for thousands in the town of Fort Lee, New Jersey, last September, he did not dwell on the furore, devoting just 97 words to it out of a seven-page speech.Christie, who until the scandal erupted last week had been seen as a potential frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, made his second profuse apology in five days as he addressed the state assembly in Trenton. Unlike his two-hour press conference last Thursday, in which he said he had been deceived by aides over an act of political revenge that caused traffic misery for thousands in the town of Fort Lee, New Jersey, last September, he did not dwell on the furore, devoting just 97 words to it out of a seven-page speech.
“The last week has certainly tested this Administration. Mistakes were clearly made, and as a result, we let down the people we are entrusted to serve. I know our citizens deserve better, much better,” he said. “The last week has certainly tested this administration. Mistakes were clearly made, and as a result, we let down the people we are entrusted to serve. I know our citizens deserve better, much better,” he said.
“Without a doubt we will cooperate with all appropriate inquiries to ensure this breach of trust does not happen again.” “Without a doubt we will co-operate with all appropriate inquiries to ensure this breach of trust does not happen again.”
Even as the governor was speaking, those investigations were closing in on him. Just 20 minutes before the address began, the New Jersey general assembly released details of a forthcoming special session to set up an expanded inquiry into the bridge scandal.Even as the governor was speaking, those investigations were closing in on him. Just 20 minutes before the address began, the New Jersey general assembly released details of a forthcoming special session to set up an expanded inquiry into the bridge scandal.
It announced that a voting session would be held at 12pm on Wednesday to establish a special “super-committee” backed by an independent legal counsel to take the on-going investigation “wherever the evidence leads”.It announced that a voting session would be held at 12pm on Wednesday to establish a special “super-committee” backed by an independent legal counsel to take the on-going investigation “wherever the evidence leads”.
It is likely to force Bridget Kelly, the former deputy chief of staff to Christie who sent the infamous “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee” email last August, to testify before it as one of its first witnesses.It is likely to force Bridget Kelly, the former deputy chief of staff to Christie who sent the infamous “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee” email last August, to testify before it as one of its first witnesses.
The new committee will be run by the Democratic assembly member John Wisniewski, who has been leading the investigation into the bridge scandal so far. As Christie entered the assembly chamber ahead of his address, he lingered over a long handshake with Wisniewski in front of television cameras.The new committee will be run by the Democratic assembly member John Wisniewski, who has been leading the investigation into the bridge scandal so far. As Christie entered the assembly chamber ahead of his address, he lingered over a long handshake with Wisniewski in front of television cameras.
The Wall Street Journal also piled on the pressure on the governor just a few hours before his address, when it reported that Christie had met with two men involved in the scandal on 11 September 2013 – the third day of lane closures that had reduced access to the George Washington Bridge into New York City from Fort Lee, plunging the town of 35,000 into gridlock. The Wall Street Journal also piled on the pressure on the governor just a few hours before his address, when it reported that Christie had met with two men involved in the scandal on 11 September 2013 – the third day of lane closures that had reduced access to the George Washington bridge into New York City from Fort Lee, plunging the town of 35,000 into gridlock.
The mayor of Fort Lee, Democrat Mark Sokolich, had before the closures declined to endorse Christie for re-election as governor.The mayor of Fort Lee, Democrat Mark Sokolich, had before the closures declined to endorse Christie for re-election as governor.
The newspaper said it was not known what Christie had discussed with the two men, David Wildstein and Bill Baroni, when he saw them during the commemorations of the 12th anniversary of 9/11 at Manhattan’s World Trade Center. But the knowledge that the officials were together at that time adds to the questions about how much Christie knew, and when.The newspaper said it was not known what Christie had discussed with the two men, David Wildstein and Bill Baroni, when he saw them during the commemorations of the 12th anniversary of 9/11 at Manhattan’s World Trade Center. But the knowledge that the officials were together at that time adds to the questions about how much Christie knew, and when.
In his annual address, Christie spoke repeatedly about the need for bi-partisanship and co-operation between his Republican party and the Democrats who control the New Jersey legislature. He said the result of members of the two parties working together was that “the state of our state is good and it’s getting better”.In his annual address, Christie spoke repeatedly about the need for bi-partisanship and co-operation between his Republican party and the Democrats who control the New Jersey legislature. He said the result of members of the two parties working together was that “the state of our state is good and it’s getting better”.
Christie put forward a number of policy proposals during the speech, most notably a plan to bring the school calendar up to date by lengthening both the school day and the school year. He also showed off his softer side, proposing a new scheme to help non-violent criminals and drug addicts gain treatment and job training – and he gave a long, televised hug to a former addict who, having gone through rehab, is now working as a lawyer.Christie put forward a number of policy proposals during the speech, most notably a plan to bring the school calendar up to date by lengthening both the school day and the school year. He also showed off his softer side, proposing a new scheme to help non-violent criminals and drug addicts gain treatment and job training – and he gave a long, televised hug to a former addict who, having gone through rehab, is now working as a lawyer.
Christie’s speech was received with rapturous applause by the Republican members of the legislature, but chilly silence from Democrats, whose leadership professed to have been unimpressed.Christie’s speech was received with rapturous applause by the Republican members of the legislature, but chilly silence from Democrats, whose leadership professed to have been unimpressed.
Vincent Prieto, the incoming speaker of the state assembly, said the governor’s address had been full of “sound-bites that don’t mean much”.Vincent Prieto, the incoming speaker of the state assembly, said the governor’s address had been full of “sound-bites that don’t mean much”.
Apart from the new assembly committee looking into “Bridgegate”, Christie also faces a federal investigation into whether he abused relief money for victims of superstorm Sandy by appearing in commercials paid for out of federal funds during his re-election campaign.Apart from the new assembly committee looking into “Bridgegate”, Christie also faces a federal investigation into whether he abused relief money for victims of superstorm Sandy by appearing in commercials paid for out of federal funds during his re-election campaign.
Patrick Murray, director of the polling institute at New Jersey’s Monmouth University, said that Christie had “done what he had to do” in his speech. Before the bridge scandal blew wide open last week, the governor had intended to float his longer school days proposal as an eye-catching idea that would help his 2016 bid, but in the end his renewed apology was all that counted.Patrick Murray, director of the polling institute at New Jersey’s Monmouth University, said that Christie had “done what he had to do” in his speech. Before the bridge scandal blew wide open last week, the governor had intended to float his longer school days proposal as an eye-catching idea that would help his 2016 bid, but in the end his renewed apology was all that counted.
“He said what he needed to say on Bridgegate to retain the benefit of the doubt among those watching closely in national Republican headquarters in Washington,” Murray said.“He said what he needed to say on Bridgegate to retain the benefit of the doubt among those watching closely in national Republican headquarters in Washington,” Murray said.
Brigid Harrison, a professor of political science and law at another New Jersey school, Montclair State University, pointed out the qualification in the governor’s promise to co-operate with all “appropriate” inquiries. “That ‘appropriate’ gives him wriggle room not to comply if he thinks that doing so will not be advantageous,” she said.Brigid Harrison, a professor of political science and law at another New Jersey school, Montclair State University, pointed out the qualification in the governor’s promise to co-operate with all “appropriate” inquiries. “That ‘appropriate’ gives him wriggle room not to comply if he thinks that doing so will not be advantageous,” she said.
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