Feds seek files from Christie's office! Coming next - Executive Privilege????

[malaise]

http://www.northjersey.com/news/Bridget_Kelly_invokes_Fifth_Amendment_declines_to_produce_subpoened_documents.html?page=all
<snip>
Federal prosecutors investigating the George Washington Bridge lane closures have demanded documents from Governor Christie’s office, he said Monday, a development that puts him at the opposite end from the kind of probe he once led as the state’s hard-charging U.S. attorney.

Christie acknowledged the subpoenas during a radio interview Monday evening, as news broke that his former deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly, would not turn over documents in response to a subpoena issued by state lawmakers in a parallel investigation. An attorney for Kelly — who wrote the message “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee” — cited Kelly’s constitutional protection against self-incrimination. She joins Christie’s campaign manager as the second person to put up a roadblock to an ongoing legislative probe.

Full coverage: Chris Christie and the GWB lane closure controversy

But the fact that federal prosecutors sent a subpoena to Christie’s office signaled that the more high-stakes federal investigation had taken a serious turn for the governor, who was considered a presidential contender only a few weeks ago.

[DeSwiss]

1. K&R!!!

[center]
''I had no idea my staff had put chocolate all over my face and hands and elbows. The first I learned of it was just two minutes ago! Honest!!!''[/center]

[malaise]

2. Bwaaaaaaah hahahahha

[ReRe]

8. DeSwiss is in rare form today! n/t

[kairos12]

3. The great buzzing sound you hear in New Jersey is giant shredders hard at work.

[Javaman]

4. one could probably see the heat signature from space. LOL nt

[kairos12]

14. The next ticker tape parade in NY I would check the confetti for Christie signatures.

[Javaman]

15. ...

[DallasNE]

5. Been There, Done That -- Richard Nixon And Watergate

This has started the same (political enemies list), is moving into the middle game (stonewalling) and will end up the same (resignation in disgrace). It is not the cover-up but the crime. Indeed, the only difference between Chris Christie and Richard Nixon is about 200 pounds.

[malaise]

6. You Betcha

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017169817

[proverbialwisdom]

7. NJ.COM: Chris Christie ramps up travel plans as scandals continue

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/02/chris_christie_ramps_up_travel_plans_as_scandals_continue.html#incart_more_business

Chris Christie ramps up travel plans as scandals continue

By Jenna Portnoy/The Star-Ledger
on February 04, 2014 at 9:00 AM, updated February 04, 2014 at 9:09 AM

TRENTON — As his office, campaign, party and closest advisers respond to subpoenas in multiple investigations, Gov. Chris Christie plans to press on with an ambitious speaking and fundraising schedule.

From Texas and Illinois to D.C. and Georgia, Christie will travel the country in his role as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, according to a report by Politico.

On Thursday, Christie will be in Dallas and Fort Worth for RGA fundraisers, followed by on Feb. 11 by a speech to the Economic Club of Chicago as well as fundraisers. From there, Christie is scheduled to address the Trenton crowd at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner in D.C.

Next he's off to the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s winter retreat in New York on Feb. 18, before heading back to Washington for the bipartisan National Governors Association’s annual meetings, which coincide with RGA events.

More.

[ReRe]

9. What I want to see...

... are the Feds hauling off everything from the Governor's offices. Two weeks ago.

Someone needs to write a book and entitle it "All the Governors Men."

[brooklynite]

10. Executive Privilege doesn't apply to a State official in a Federal criminal case

[Laxman]

11. Talk About Karma....

Prosecute not, lest you be prosecuted

Last week, The Bergen Record reported on certain sharp business dealings of Gov. Chris Christie’s brother. It seems Todd Christie was involved in buying some property in Harrison near the PATH line. After a $256 million expansion of the station was approved, he and his partners flipped the land for a big profit.

This sounds more like a savvy business decision than a crime. But when the article ran on NJ.com, among the first comments was this: "It sounds VERY similar to the Sharpe James prosecution and conviction. Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t Christie the U.S. Attorney?"

Indeed it does and indeed he was. Back when he held the office of U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Christie engaged in all sorts of imaginative schemes to turn what looked like mere ethical infractions into federal crimes. Now he has to hope the current U.S. Attorney, Paul Fishman, has a much narrower reading of federal law.

http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2014/02/chris_christie_and_bridgegate_1.html

How would U.S. Attorney Christie have reacted under these circumstances? And I am starting to believe in my wife's theory of "what goes 'round comes 'round!

[malaise]

12. We have a proverb here that goes like this

Same knife stick goat, stick sheep!!!

[Laxman]

13. A Bit Unrelated....

I didn't read the updated version of Mulshine's article until just now. This is rich:

ADD: Speaking of Rudy, I just witnessed something that shows just how fickle public acclaim can be. On Sunday morning I appeared on Steve Kornacki's show on MSNBC. As I was checking in with the receptionist, a woman walked up and told her that Rudy Giuliani would soon be arriving for a show.

The receptionist seemed to have no idea who he was. "How do spell that, J-O-O?" she asked.

"No, G-I-U, I think," the other said.

Finally I chimed in with the correct spelling. But maybe I could have just said "J-O-E B-L-O-W" for all these two knew of the man who was the front-runner in the Republican presidential race a mere six years ago.

There's a lesson in that for politicians with big egos. Fame is fleeting.

[calimary]

16. WOW.

Words to the wise. Which most of the politicians we know, including those who flatter themselves into thinking they're Oval Office material, will ignore.