Former Christie Ally, Opponent Always Knew Governor 'Would Implode At Some Point'

[ProSense]

Former Christie Ally, Opponent Always Knew Governor 'Would Implode At Some Point'

A Republican who's been both an ally and an opponent to Chris Christie, Richard Merkt said he knew the New Jersey governor's acrimonious personality would ultimately be his undoing. He just didn't think Christie's downfall would come so soon.

Merkt, who teamed up with Christie in the 1990s to run for the state legislature before taking him on in the 2009 gubernatorial race, told New York magazine Wednesday that he sees shades of Nixon in the George Washington Bridge scandal.

"You know, reading the reports about the GW bridge fiasco, I recalled how similar the governor's conduct during the re-election campaign was to that of President Nixon during his victorious re-election campaign in 1972," Merkt said in an email.

<...>

"Given his vindictive nature, I always sensed that Christie would implode at some point, but I did not foresee it happening so soon or over such a petty matter," Merkt said. "By the way, my recollection is that Nixon crushed McGovern by a 60 percent to 38 percent margin, a margin virtually identical to Christie's victory over Buono. Funny how history repeats itself."

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/christie-bridge-scandal-richard-merkt-implode-nixon

NJ State Senator Calls For Federal Investigation Into Bridge Scandal

New Jersey state Sen. Ray Lesniak (D) on Thursday called for a federal investigation of the Christie administration's ties to lane closures on the George Washington Bridge last year that caused a multi-day traffic jam in Fort Lee, N.J.

"This crosses a line that is rarely crossed: People's lives were in danger," Lesniak told CNN's "New Day" program. "Endangering people's lives -- that's not politics. That's why the U.S. attorneys have to get involved."

First responders were reportedly delayed in responding to at least four medical emergencies as a result of the lane closures, which Democrats have argued was a form of political revenge against Fort Lee's Democratic mayor.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/senator-christie-investigation

[liberal N proud]

1. Better a whale implode than explode

[Whiskeytide]

4. I confess. That's the funniest exploding whale video...

... I have ever seen. Were there no sober people older than 13 in the city government that day????

[ProSense]

2. LOL! McCain:

McCain To Christie: Put This Scandal To Bed

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said Thursday that the only way Chris Christie can bring a swift end to the George Washington Bridge scandal is to answer every question posed to him — even if it necessitates a marathon press conference.

"Put everything on the table. Answer every question," McCain advised Christie during an interview on MSNBC.

"If it's a three-hour press conference, answer every question. Answer every question, every comment. And then move on. The last thing you need is one of these things to be dragged out. I can say that from personal experience, my friend."

Christie is scheduled to address the scandal on camera for the first time at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mccain-christie-bridge-scandal-press-conference

Who the hell wants to listen to a "three-hour press conference" of Gov. Blowhard's lies? No, this calls for a federal investigation.

Fallout continues from Christie bridge scandal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024303626

[malaise]

6. Christie has one approach - that will be his undoing

Hope he reminds us at the press conference

[warrior1]

3. so he saying sort of

that he knows christie's behind this and it wasn't his staff doing this on their own.

[Laxman]

5. Rick Merkt and Christie Live In The Same Small Town...

He was there when Christie lost a defamation suit stemming from his race for county freeholder. He knows his vindictive personality and his ability to do almost anything to gain advantage or get even. This is coming from a guy who knows him all too well.

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. well I hope so - or else there is a pretty good chance that Christie will end up in the White House

The comparison to Nixon might be correct. But Nixon was slimy from the very beginning of his career and much of his slime was made public even going way back to his race against Helen Gahagan Douglas for U.S. Senate in 1950 - But he had to get to the second term of his presidency before the chickens came home to roost. We can hope that Christie will implode much sooner - hopefully he is imploding now. But time will tell.