Ouze wrote:
"It's OK I did something bad because someone else did something bad that one time".

To watch this Sunday's political talk shows was to watch an orchestra come together into one soaring melody. Enough time had passed, since the first revelations in the New Jersey bridge closing scandal, for Republicans to form a consensus. Could they defend the details of the scandal? Good question. Let's talk about Benghazi.

Karl Rove, on Fox News Sunday:
You'll notice we haven't been hearing a lot from the Clinton camp about this. The contrast with President Clinton and Secretary Clinton's handling of Benghazi. So I think it's going to be hard for Democrats to turn this into an issue.

Rudy Giuliani, on This Week:
How did President Obama not know about the IRS targeting right wing groups? You know, massive numbers of right wing groups... and the reality is, things go wrong in an administration. And frankly, you know, he was in campaign-mode at the time, during campaign-mode you miss a lot of things. You're not paying as much attention. We see that with Benghazi.

Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, on This Week:
I think it is a very big difference than how this administration has handled a lot of things that have happened, whether IRS, whether it's Benghazi, whether it's the -- you can keep your health insurance if you want it. But nobody has been fired over that.

Reince Priebus, on Meet the Press:
He stood there for 111 minutes, in an open dialogue with the press. Now only if Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would give us 111 seconds of that would we find out some things we want to find out about Obamacare, Benghazi, the I.R.S..

Kim Strassel, the Wall Street Journal columnist who's single-handedly (and without much pick-up outside the News Corp universe) attempted to expand the "I.R.S. scandal" into an administration-wide conspiracy, on Meet the Press:

This is not Watergate. This is not even the I.R.S. targeting of last year. In fact-- it's not even, if you think about this as a raw display of political power, it's not even this White House using the sequester and the shutdown to inconvenience millions of Americans, as they did, too, to make a political point.

Other conservatives, people generally less interested in the welfare of the party or a branch of the party, approached the story differently. George Will rebutted the panelists who kept insisting that the Obama scandals, which have petered out upon examination, were not "phony," but Obama said they were, so by the transitive property Christie's less serious scandal was definitely phony. Whatever, said well: "This is not a phony scandal because as the principal Watergate scholar knows, John Dean sent a memo to Mr. Higby, who was the assistant of the Chief of Staff Haldeman, saying, we should use the machinery -- the federal machinery of government to screw our enemy."

Brit Hume took another tack.

It's too bad that this occured on Howard Kurtz's show, where it was up to the bland and air-filling Lauren Ashburn to debate this. The idea that Christie's "masculine" approach to politics had been degraded by a "feminized" political culture is at odds with basically all coverage of Christie. He got famous, nationally, for his hectoring town hall appearances (put on and filmed at no small expense by his office). The coverage of his re-election couldn't have been more soft-focus -- the national media was mostly interested in whether Christie would run up the score and run for president, not questioning his style.

Washington (CNN) -- Just days after dismissing two top advisers for their roles in the George Washington Bridge scandal, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is facing questions over the use of Superstorm Sandy relief funds.

CNN has learned that federal officials are investigating whether Christie improperly used those relief funds to produce tourism ads that starred him and his family.

The news couldn't come at a worse time for the scandal-plagued Republican, who is facing two probes into whether his staff tied up traffic near the country's busiest bridge to punish a Democratic mayor who refused to endorse his successful re-election bid.
If the Sandy inquiry finds any wrongdoing, it could prove even more damaging to Christie's national ambitions. His performance during and after the superstorm has been widely praised and is a fundamental part of his straight-shooting political brand.

In the new probe, federal auditors will examine New Jersey's use of $25 million in Sandy relief funds for a marketing campaign to promote tourism at the Jersey Shore after Sandy decimated the state's coastline in late 2012, New Jersey Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone told CNN

In an August letter, Pallone asked the Department of Housing and Urban Development inspector general to look into how Christie chose to spend the marketing money approved by the department.

Neither the governor's office nor the inspector general's office has replied to CNN's request for comment on the investigation.

Pallone wrote that he was concerned about the bidding process for the firm awarded the marketing plan; the winning firm is charging the state about $2 million more than the next lowest bidder. The winning $4.7 million bid featured Christie and his family in the advertisements while the losing $2.5 million proposal did not feature the Christies.

On Sunday, Pallone told CNN that the inspector general conducted a preliminary review of the spending and concluded that there was enough evidence to launch a full-scale investigation into the state's use of federal funds. The audit will take several months, and the findings will be issued in an official report, he said.

Pallone, a 27-year veteran of the House and vocal Christie critic, said this is not about politics.

"This was money that could have directly been used for Sandy recovery. And, as you know, many of my constituents still haven't gotten the money that is owed them to rebuild their homes or raise their homes or to help," he told CNN.

Democrats slammed Christie over the summer for starring in taxpayer-funded ads as he was running for re-election in November, arguing it gave him an unfair advantage. Christie aides said at the time that the winning bid provided more value.

Last week, Christie dismissed two top aides for their involvement in closing down access lanes to the George Washington Bridge last year, a move that tied up traffic for four days. A New Jersey State Assembly committee is investigating whether the aides ordered the lane closures as political retribution, and the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey has opened a probe into the matter.

For his part, Christie has said he didn't know about the scheme and was "embarrassed and humiliated" by it. Democrats, both in New Jersey and nationally, have jumped on the scandal, saying it finally gives the nation an opportunity to see what they've known for years, that Christie is a bully who governs by fear.

But as bad as the bridge scandal is for Christie, if investigators find he improperly spent Sandy funds, it could get far worse, tarnishing the signature achievement that has made him a serious contender for the White House.

 d-usa wrote:
Yeah, that's kinda questionable (the story).

A big part of the damage from Sandy was the damage to tourism oriented infrastructure. And you can use all the money to rebuild it, but that won't do you any good if everybody still thinks that everything is torn to hell and won't come and visit.

Getting the tourist back, and the economy restored, is a part of disaster relief.

 d-usa wrote:
Yeah, that's kinda questionable (the story).

A big part of the damage from Sandy was the damage to tourism oriented infrastructure. And you can use all the money to rebuild it, but that won't do you any good if everybody still thinks that everything is torn to hell and won't come and visit.

Getting the tourist back, and the economy restored, is a part of disaster relief.

 whembly wrote:

 Ouze wrote:
"It's OK I did something bad because someone else did something bad that one time".

Bah... you're no fun.

 timetowaste85 wrote:

 d-usa wrote:
Yeah, that's kinda questionable (the story).

A big part of the damage from Sandy was the damage to tourism oriented infrastructure. And you can use all the money to rebuild it, but that won't do you any good if everybody still thinks that everything is torn to hell and won't come and visit.

Getting the tourist back, and the economy restored, is a part of disaster relief.

This makes perfect sense. Of course, any chance to sling mud at a politician...

 Easy E wrote:
Seaward you are probably right.

However, will it be enough to overcome his long walks on the beach with Obama and his views on Gun-rights?

Statement by David A. Montoya, Inspector General, on the Audit of New Jersey Post-Hurricane Sandy Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Plan

DATE PUBLISHED:
January 14, 2014
NEWS TYPE:
Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Contact: HUD OIG Public Affairs
Public.Affairs@hudoig.gov

On August 8, 2013, this office received a request from Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., regarding the State of New Jersey’s Post-Hurricane Sandy Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Action Plan. Audits of Federal expenditures of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, including disaster-related activities, are something that this office does routinely. The Department granted a waiver to allow the State to use $25 million of its award on a marketing campaign to promote the Jersey Shore and encourage tourism. An audit was initiated in September 2013 to examine whether the State administered its Tourism Marketing Program in accordance with applicable departmental and Federal requirements. This is an audit and not an investigation of the procurement process. We expect to issue our audit report expeditiously. We will have no further comment until the audit report is issued.

 Frazzled wrote:
Dude its New Jersey... the New Mexico of the North.

 Ouze wrote:
At this point the media appears to be in full "we need to come up with something to keep this story going" mode. I guess they're running with the fact he had a job created for one of his bros that didn't exist before? This is, literally, the front page story on CNN right now.

As someone with no strong feelings about this guy previous to this, I have to say this sauce is getting awfully weak, no? The bridge story, that's pretty legit, but all the other "stories" are just... nonissues. I mean, he got his friend a job? Wow, welcome to every manager in the history of ever, FFS.

 d-usa wrote:
His hand didn't burn when he shook hands with the Obamination, so he will never win a primary...

 Ouze wrote:
At this point the media appears to be in full "we need to come up with something to keep this story going" mode. I guess they're running with the fact he had a job created for one of his bros that didn't exist before? This is, literally, the front page story on CNN right now.

As someone with no strong feelings about this guy previous to this, I have to say this sauce is getting awfully weak, no? The bridge story, that's pretty legit, but all the other "stories" are just... nonissues. I mean, he got his friend a job? Wow, welcome to every manager in the history of ever, FFS.

 Ouze wrote:
At this point the media appears to be in full "we need to come up with something to keep this story going" mode. I guess they're running with the fact he had a job created for one of his bros that didn't exist before? This is, literally, the front page story on CNN right now.

As someone with no strong feelings about this guy previous to this, I have to say this sauce is getting awfully weak, no? The bridge story, that's pretty legit, but all the other "stories" are just... nonissues. I mean, he got his friend a job? Wow, welcome to every manager in the history of ever, FFS.

If they're actively hunting for stuff on the guy and the worst they can find is that a job was created, then he may be the most honest governor in the history of the US, let alone New Jersey.

Really, until they find something that directly links him personally to the bridge closure, or some aide breaks and comes out saying Christie set up a culture where such political punishments were encouraged, I just don't think there's anything substantial here.

 Frazzled wrote:

If they're actively hunting for stuff on the guy and the worst they can find is that a job was created, then he may be the most honest governor in the history of the US, let alone New Jersey.

Really, until they find something that directly links him personally to the bridge closure, or some aide breaks and comes out saying Christie set up a culture where such political punishments were encouraged, I just don't think there's anything substantial here.

I hate to say it but, I agree with Sebster completely.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The Democratic mayor of a town severely flooded by Superstorm Sandy said Sunday that she was told an ultimatum tying recovery funds to her support for a prime real estate project came directly from Republican Gov. Chris Christie, a claim a Christie spokesman called "categorically false."

Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer said she met with federal prosecutors in Newark for several hours Sunday at their request and turned over a journal and other documents.

(CNN) -- New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno is expected to "categorically deny" allegations Monday that she gave Hoboken's Mayor an ultimatum to support a redevelopment plan backed by Gov. Chris Christie in order to receive Hurricane Sandy recovery aid, a source said.

Guadagno's remarks will be the first time a senior Christie official has addressed the charges Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer first made Saturday on MSNBC.

Zimmer went even further Sunday, implicating Christie directly in an interview on CNN.

On CNN's State of the Union, Zimmer said Guadagno told her that Sandy relief funds hinged on her support for a real estate development project by the Rockefeller Group -- a directive that she said came directly from Christie.
"She said that to me -- is that this is a direct message from the governor," Zimmer said.

The alleged incident happened last May after Guadagno toured a grocery store that had reopened after suffering $10 million in flooding damage from Sandy.

The lieutenant governor recalls having a conversation with Zimmer that day, but says she remembers Zimmer arguing that Sandy recovery aid and redevelopment were the same issue, according to the source close to Guadagno, who was not authorized to speak publicly.

"Kim remembers in their conversation that she was talking about redevelopment and making investments in Hoboken. She remembers Zimmer pressing Kim for money for Sandy. Kim remembers saying you can't tie the two together," the source said. "And she remembers Zimmer continuing to press and showing her a map of the city and pressing for aid for Sandy."

Guadagno remembers it as a "friendly conversation," the source said. "Zimmer was laser-focused on getting Hoboken money for Sandy recovery and that is not the role Kim Guadagno plays in the administration," the source said.

She remembers telling Zimmer that the administration would like to do more to redevelop Hoboken, but she doesn't recall talking to her specifically about The Rockefeller Group project. But the source said Guadagno, a veteran prosecutor and former county sheriff, is still going through her records, preparing for a possible subpoena.

In remarks Monday morning -- at a volunteer event in Union Beach, New Jersey honoring the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service -- Guadagno is expected to make the point that, "My job in the governor's office is to oversee redevelopment and reinvestment in New Jersey," the source said.

In fact, a governor's directive prevents Guadagno from working on the Sandy recovery efforts because she was personally affected by the superstorm -- her home in Monmouth Beach was damaged by the storm, the source said. She was at the Hoboken grocery store in her role as an advocate for the state's business community.

"Kim can't talk about Sandy," the source said. "She can't do it."

And Guadagno twice returned to Hoboken after that May visit -- once spending more than two hours touring farmers' markets with Zimmer -- and the Hoboken mayor never brought up the May conversation or indicated that it had upset her, the source said.

Zimmer's comments Saturday and Sunday are a change from what she told CNN on January 11. She said then that while she wondered whether Sandy aid funds were being withheld because she didn't endorse the governor's re-election, she concluded that "I don't think that's the case."

"I don't think it was retaliation and I don't have any reason to think it's retaliation, but I'm not satisfied with the amount of money I've gotten so far," Zimmer told CNN then. She did not mention her concerns about the redevelopment project.

 motyak wrote:
Not that I'm calling her a liar but; oooh a journal, hard evidence! I hope the other stuff she handed over had more to it.

The city whose Democratic mayor said GOP Gov. Chris Christie’s administration tied Superstorm Sandy aid to her support for a real estate project has, so far, received a level of aid from state-run programs that is similar to what other towns got, a review of grant data shows. Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer is no longer discussing her allegations that New Jersey’s second-largest city has been shortchanged on Sandy funds, that its aid is being held “hostage” as political leverage or that she feared further retribution in the next round of funding.