No One Believes Christie

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6. If Christie didn’t know, why was his reelection staff involved in damage control?

If Christie didn’t know, why was his reelection staff involved in damage control?

by CenPhx

Something John Wisniewski, Democratic assemblyman, head of the Transportation Committee, asked David Wildstein got me thinking. Following from point A to B to C leads to the conclusion that a lot more people on Christie's staff were involved in coaching Wildstein and Baroni than just Bridget Kelly. I think that was where Wisniewski hoped to go with his questions...

We know that Bill Baroni, the deputy executive director of the Port Authority who was appointed by Christie, after the closure were in place, was actively involved in keeping information from the mayor of Ft. Lee and was constantly contacting Wildstein for what he should tell the mayor. Then Wildstein contacted Baroni when the Wall Street Journal reporter Tedd Mann called his cellphone. Baroni replied, “Jesus,” then told Wildstein to call Michael Drewniak, Christie’s press secretary. This is in the middle of September. So Wildstein, who knew exactly what was going on, called Christie's own press secretary to get direction on what to say to the press. But Drewniak had no idea that Wildstein and Kelly had ordered the closures?

On November 25, Baroni testified before the legislative committee and stated that the lane closures were part of a traffic study. Later that very same day Baroni texted Wildstein to find out about “Trenton feedback”. When Wildstein told him “good,” Baroni said, “Just good? Shit.”

Wildstein then said he has only sent text messages to Bridget Kelly and another woman named Nicole who were “VERY happy.” He added that, “Both said you are doing great” and someone named Charlie also said Baroni did well. So who are Nicole and Charlie? Well, during the legislative hearing today, Assemblyman Wisniewski asked Wildstein about the email and whether Charlie referred to Charlie McKenna. Of course, Wildstein neither confirmed nor denied this was accurate, but I am assuming Wisniewski is probably correct. Charles McKenna is none other than Chief Counsel to Governor Chris Christie.

As for the identity of “Nicole”, I was able to locate one Nicole in news accounts about Christie. Nicole Davidman worked for the NJ Republican Party until she stepped down in late 2012 to work for Chris Christie’s reelection campaign. Around that time she also wed none other than Michael Drewniak, Christie’s press secretary/spokesman. She is considered one of the 100 most powerful people in New Jersey business and the backbone of GOP and Christie’s fundraising. USA Today described her as Christie’s campaign finance director.

So when Wildstein texted his contacts on Christie's staff to find out if they were happy with what Baroni said in front of the committee, Wildstein did not just text Kelly, the person on whom Christie is blaming everything. No, Wildstein also contacted Christie's own attorney, McKenna, and his campaign finance manager, Davidman-Drewniak. But we are supposed to believe that Wildstein and Kelly were the only ones who discussed that they ordered the closures?

Next we have, on December 5, Wildstein sending Michael Drewniak an email from his personal email, thanking him for his “sound advice last night,” and saying “I always appreciate your friendship”. Drewniak acknowledged the dinner by thanking Wildstein for “a great dinner". The very next day, Wildstein announced he would resign from the Port Authority at the end of the year. Given that Wildstein felt he had to resign, is it remotely plausible that he and Drewniak did not discuss that Wildstein ordered the closures? Are you kidding me?

So the question I have is this: is it really plausible that Christie had no idea what Kelly and Wildstein did, given that Wildstein contacted Kelly, Davidman (the campaign finance manager), and McKenna (Christie’s attorney), to check on their reaction to how Baroni did during his testimony? Wildstein certainly knew the closures were not part of a study, and he was the person talking to not just Kelly, but members of Christie’s reelection staff and his attorney. And Baroni, the night before he decided to retire, was given “advice” by Drewniak, Christie’s press secretary and Davidman’s husband.

Christie’s entire staff was in damage control; controlling the message that went out to reporters from Wildstein and Baroni and monitoring what Baroni said in the committee hearing and even his resignation.

This wasn’t limited to Kelly. Everyone on Christie’s staff was involved.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/09/1268474/-If-Christie-didn-t-know-why-was-his-reelection-staff-involved-in-damage-control

Chris Christie's press conference claims don't add up
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024305850

NJ Lawmaker Wants To Hear From Fired Christie Aide Bridget Kelly Next
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024306506







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