R Maddow is getting into a new theory on the why of CC's retribution against Ft Lee, NJ

[Rilgin]

54. Much better theory

This theory makes a lot more sense than retaliation against the mayor of Ft. Lee. Her new theory ands some other facts put out by the mayor of FT. Lee also somewhat explains why the GW Bridge was used. Ft. Lee just redeveloped including 2 new towers. Loss of bridge lanes would seriously impact Ft. Lee and this redevelopment. That was the threat and causing traffic problems was just making the threat clear.

What the Christie administration might have planned was shutting the lanes down for a few days, postulating they could design a traffic study to recommend permanent removal. After causing the traffic, they the pressure the democrats with a threat that you could make it permanent. In other words after the fact you go to the representative from Bergen County (Loretta Weinberg) who leads the Senate Democrats to say how do you like the first taste of what we can do.

The actual problem with understanding any of the political motivation theories in connection with the mayor is that the mayor does not say he was he was threatened or coerced for his endorsement and does not know any other reason he could be targeted. The mayor even didn't remember being approached for the endorsement.

However, politics with the bridge could make sense if directed at he Senate Democratic leader because you could damage her district a little first, then make it clear that it will continue or that you might try to yank lanes from her district in the future if she doesn't cooperate with what you want. This threat of traffic works great in connection with the major development work in those New Jersey districts.

The actual approach to the Senate Democratic leader was never made because the local traffic reporters started to investigate and the scandal began. At that point it would have been clear that the last thing you would want to do is threaten the democratic leader and connect the dots for everyone as to the motive for the shutdown of the lanes.