Chris Christie-Accounts of Petty Retribution Reinforce Christie’s Bullying Image

[Gothmog]

28. NYT has good editorial on Politicians who Bully

Last edited Mon Dec 30, 2013, 04:58 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/opinion/sunday/the-elected-bullies.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1388327217-QjjVV9zXc+FcWONWEWbCaw. Chris Christie is the main target of this editorial.

Once in office, however, he begins using that prod more against political enemies than problems of state, wielding his powers to punish critics, skeptics and those of questionable loyalty, while lavishly rewarding supporters. The brashness that seemed fresh and appealing in a debate loses its charm when it becomes the vengeful voice of a city or state, and voters then regret their choice. At least until the next charismatic bully comes along.

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey is the most current example. As Kate Zernike of The Times reported last week, he has had aides deliver obscenities to a union official who criticized him on the radio. His administration removed the police protection for one state senator (and former governor) after the senator was seen as too dilatory in approving the governor’s nominees. When a Rutgers political scientist serving on the redistricting commission chose a plan favored by Democrats, Mr. Christie defunded two of his programs at the state university. And his associates have recently been accused of deliberately creating traffic jams in Fort Lee, N.J., in an act of vengeance against the city’s mayor.