Steve Kornacki's theory on the Christie scandal

[ProSense]

47. Wildstein ran Politickernj

PolitickerNJ.com (then-PoliticsNJ.com) alumnus Steve Kornacki has been named the new host of MSNBC’s “Up” which airs Saturdays and Sundays from 8-10 a.m. ET.

http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/kornacki-takes-helm-msnbc-weekend-morning-show

Background on Wildstein:

Ex-blogger is Governor Christie's eyes, ears inside the Port Authority

For a decade, he was a faceless force in New Jersey politics, an Internet blogger who delivered scoops while keeping his identity a closely guarded secret...David Wildstein, formerly known by the pen name Wally Edge, is playing a key behind-the-scenes role in Governor Christie’s effort to get more control over the Port Authority...in Wildstein, an experienced political strategist who went to high school with the governor, the Christie administration may have found the perfect instrument to help shake things up, some say.

Longtime employees, however, privately describe a man intent on carrying out a political agenda rather than one built on reform or improving the region’s transportation system. They believe the appointment of Wildstein and dozens of others recommended by the governor — for jobs ranging from toll collector to deputy executive director — are evidence that political loyalty trumps merit.

To Christie, though, they are needed to bring about change. And Wildstein figures prominently in that effort.

“He is there in that job because he is well suited to the task of playing a role in reforming the Port Authority in accordance with the governor’s goals,” said Christie’s spokes­man, Michael Drewniak.

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http://www.northjersey.com/news/ny_metro/030312_Ex-blogger_is_Governor_Christies_man_inside_the_Port_Authority.html

<...>

Wally Edge, the anonymous, acerbic and influential editor of the website PolitickerNJ, is really former Livingston Mayor David Wildstein, according to four people with personal knowledge of Edge’s identity.

Wildstein has left the site unofficially to start his new job as director of interstate capital projects at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In his new position, which pays $215,000 a year, Wildstein is working under his own name.

He was hired by former Mercer County Republican Sen. Bill Baroni, now the No. 2 executive at the agency. Gov. Chris Christie’s office did not object to the hire...In an e-mail to The Star-Ledger late Thursday, Wally Edge said goodbye.

"After more than 10 years covering New Jersey politics, it’s time for me to retire," he wrote. "Founding PolitickerNJ.com has been a tremendous journey, spanning six governors and seven statewide elections. New Jersey has an amazing political history, many talented (political) operatives, and a huge number of very good people."

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http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/politickernjs_secret_is_out_ed.html