Chris Christie traffic scandal: An end to presidential plans?

The media are trying to take down Christie far too early. Usually they save all their ammo and build the GOP guy up until the nomination is secure. Then they turn on him.

http://ricochet.com/main-feed/The-Acela-Republican

 

I think the article is unfair. It treats 'the media' as a monolith. Media doesn't have an s at the end, but it is plural. The writer pretends like this monolithic media does a huge flip-flop on moderate Republican candidates in a gross oversimplification of the dynamics. Much like the discussion of Rockets players on the bbs, different people have different opinions but will be loud or quiet about it depending on how the winds of opportunity blow. When McCain was the maverick, fans of his moderation could speak loudly because he was on his game, smart and productive and charismatic. But, facing a tough opponent he made a big mistake by picking Palin as a runnning mate. His fans in the media didn't outright turn on him and set out to destroy him, but they got quieter. Their arguments were vulnerable. Meanwhile more liberal types who never liked him in the first place had a golden opportunity now to lambast him, and they shouted from the rooftops. And more conservative types weren't able to say how wonderful a pick Palin was because she performed so poorly in building credibility, making their arguments vulnerable. In total, the sentiment may have turned, but it wasn't an intentional flip-flop, just the tides turning. And it was because things McCain did. It's not a conspiracy.

 

Chris Christie’s Crisis Plunges Republican Party Deeper Into The Wilderness

The establishment freaks out as another favorite son falls from grace. “There are definitely people jumping ship.”

But after a brutal year of setbacks, scandals, and political floundering capped this month by a controversy that threatens to sink New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s political career, the Republican establishment is warily scanning its bruised and bloodied field of potential 2016 standard-bearers — and many of the party poobahs are on the brink of panic.

In interviews with more than a dozen party officials, fundraisers, and strategists in New York and Washington over the past 10 days, Republicans described a palpable sense of anxiety gripping the GOP establishment in the wake of Christie’s meltdown, and an emerging consensus that the once promising cast of candidates they were counting on to save the GOP from the tea party — and the nation from Hillary Clinton — is looking less formidable by the week.

 

"Well, my friends...the moment Barack Obama appeared on the scene, everything the press loved about John McCain was either forgotten, subject to a sinister revisionism, or turned into a negative. Outrageous, patently false stories and unbelievably ugly attacks on McCain's personal life, political character, and even his military service came fast, and without a scintilla of shame."

It was McCain that changed, he let the party move him right, not moving the party to the center. Again, I don't think the 1% feel any need to elect a Republican President. The want a radical narrative that supports obstruction in the Congress so laws can be reformed.
They are pretty happy with state of the Bush/Clinton legislative landscape.

 

Yeah that's the standard line, McCain suddenly "changed", coincidentally when he was in Obama's way.

Looks like Christie could be in more trouble. He always seemed like a Chicago/Jersey style machine politician to me (use power to trade favors and reward friends, punish enemies), and this just confirms it.

http://blog.nj.com/njv_tom_moran/2014/01/hoboken_blackmail_charge_worse.html

 

The top 10% has benefitted mightily from the Obama administration with the 1% taking a majority of the cut.

Facts doesn't match the Right Wing narrative...or some of the media left's for that matter.

 

He had to change because he was losing to Obama in the polls and would lose in the election if he didn't do something to 'increase the volatility' (to borrow from Morey). He increased the volatility, but it didn't work out. It's still not a media conspiracy.

 

Stick a fork in Christie. He is done.

Now trading Sandy Hook money for political favors.

The big money is starting to shun him.

 

Key line:

"In Jersey, anything's legal, as long as you don't get caught":

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ReQsRgQXgQY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

More evidence that Christie's political future might be done.

http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_new...ristie-numbers-tank-as-scandals-continue?lite

Poll: Christie numbers tank as scandals continue

Chris Christie’s political future looks to be in serious danger with more Americans believing the embattled New Jersey governor is lying about the bridge closure scandal than telling the truth, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Christie’s overall standing has taken a major hit in the survey, with just 22 percent of Americans viewing the Republican New Jersey governor favorably -- down from 33 percent in October.

Twenty-nine percent now view Christie unfavorably, versus 17 percent a few months ago.

More at link.

 

Looks very bad for Christie. Lengthy continuing investigations and the possibility new mud might be uncovered at any time could sink him for good. It may not be possible for him to put the scandals in his rear view mirror.

Without Christie in the race, can Republicans come up with something better than the 2012 Freak Show list of candidates?

 

The big money does not like scandal. Christie is finished.

 

All Christie needs is time and an August crisis. The winks and nods/IOUs to bury whatever's found will take care of the rest.

 

Another Page 1 NYT story on the Hoboken strong-arm coming tomorrow:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/n...s-pushed-a-project-in-new-jersey.html?hp&_r=0

Not looking good for christie.

 

I don't think so. With his sparkle fading, he doesn't have much to OU.

 

Doubtful time will solve this. As someone already said, GOP moneymen won't invest in Christie if these investigations make them nervous. It takes a huge amount of money to build a national campaign organization. It also takes time.

You are very naive if you think nods & IOUs can bury Christie's problems after so much has been spewed in public nationally. Rest assured that Dems and Christie's GOP detractors are digging deep and arming themselves with more bullets should he ever seem to regain his footing.

Looks like Christie was just another New Jersey political kingpin who has a lot of enemies. People like him can't endure white hot national scrutiny.

 

It is pretty naive of me to assume there won't be any fatter scandals lying in wait. This guy was plotting for president since 09 right?

I guess he couldn't wait to eat his cake.

 

Out of all the possible GOP candidates, Christie would have been the lesser evil. But again for the fortieth time, I don't think the Koch Brothers and the 1% really care that they can't elect a President. Keeping a radical right agenda forefront in the minds of Foxtards and electing a few obstructionists in Congress accomplishes their goals in a cost efficient manner. The idea that Christie might have worked across the isle on pragmatic solutions and reforms is counter to that strategy. They will run someone who hammers home tax cuts, military spending, maintaining an underclass of immigrants to exploit, and cutting social programs while tying it to old time religion and a anachronistic morality...like always.

 

C'mon now. You don't think guys like Sheldon Anderson care much about who is president? People like him tried to buy the 2012 election. Fortunately, for the sake of our democracy, they failed.

It might surprise you but most of the big money 1%ers aren't socially conservative.