Stile: New attacks on Wildstein raise questions for Christie - delish [View all]

[malaise]

http://www.northjersey.com/columnists/Stile_If_former_Christie_ally_David_Wildstein_is_a_liar_why_was_he_ever_hired.html
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The transformation from Wildstein, the confidant-turned-Christie-enemy looms as one of the most intriguing developments in the unfolding saga. Christie derived his loyalty by sticking by his staffers, even when they faced trouble.

But in his famous Jan. 9 apologia-press conference, Christie went out of his way to distance himself from Wildstein, denying they were close in high school and casting him as just another faceless student brushing past him in the hallway. The attack seemed gratuitous, and may very well have inspired the spurned Wildstein to retaliate.

Christie’s slam on Wildstein’s credibility also helps reinforce an impression that Christie will use the power of his administration to discredit and undermine political enemies. It goes to the heart of the “bully” charge that hovers over the bridge-lane scandal and Hoboken Sandy aid allegations.

It also underscores another irony: Wildstein is being condemned for being an enforcer — in effect, being a bully — the very qualities that made him Christie’s valued point man at the Port Authority. Valued, that is, until he became a credible threat.
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