Tune in, Call into The Final Say

UPDATE: Is you missed the show, listen to the recording here. Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik called in after my segment:

MMM publisher Art Gallagher will be a guest on the blogtalkradio show, The Final Say with Brett and Jon Rappaport, between 3 and 4 this afternoon.

We’ll be discussing Bridgegate, Governor Christie’s press conference and the impact the scandal might have on the 2016 presidential race.

Access the show here.   The call in number is 347-945-7895

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Wildstein Invokes Fifth Amendment Protections Before Assembly Transportation Committee

Former Port Authority of NY/NJ official David Wildstein  invoked his rights against self incrimination under the U.S. and New Jersey constitutions in declining to answer any questions posed by Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman John Wisniewski at a hearing that started moments after Governor Chris Christie’s press conference concluded.

Wisniewski  advised Wildstein and his attorney Alan Zegas that the committee rules and state statute do not allow for invoking fifth amendment protections. Zegas advised his client not to answer question, stating that the constitutions supersede the statute.

The committee held Wildstein in contempt.

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Christie Fires Kelly and Stepien, U.S. Attorney Opens Bridgegate Investigation

A contrite and “heartbroken” Governor Chris Christie answered questions for almost two hours today from the state and national press corps in a press conference in which he announced the firing of his Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Kelly and his long time political manager Bill Stepien.   Kelly’s employment was terminated first thing this morning and Stepien was advised that his consultancy with the Republican Governors Association was terminated and that Christie is withdrawing his nomination as Chairman of the NJ GOP.

Christie said he fired Kelly because she lied to him about her prior knowledge of the September lane closures at the George Washington Bridge.  Stepien was let go because Christie lost confidence in the political operative’s judgement after reading his participation in the emails released in the Bridgegate controversy yesterday.

The New York Times is reporting that U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul Fishman has opened an investigation into the Bridgegate matter today at the request of the Port Authority of NY/NJ’s Inspector General.

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Watch Christie’s press conference and Assembly Transportation Committee Bridgegate hearing

Courtesy of NJTV, Governor Chris Christie’s Bridgegate press conference will be livestreamed at 11am.

Following the press conference, NJTV’s livestream continues with coverage of the Assembly Transportation Committee’s hearing into the George Washington Bridge lane closures. David Wildstein, the Christie appointee who order the lane closures is scheduled to testify.

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Third-rate corruption

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Christie’s former running mate invokes Nixon in Bridgegate commentary

Former Assemblyman Rick Merkt is the first of Governor Chris Christie’s former allies and fair weather friends to prematurely dance on Christie’s political grave.

Assembly candidates Chris Christie and Rick Merkt examine the ballot in 1995

Merkt, who was Christie’s running mate for Assembly in 1995 and ran a lack luster primary campaign against Christie in 2009, compares the governor to disgraced former President Richard Nixon in a interview with former MMM contributor Olivia Nuzzi for New York Magazine.

“You know, reading the reports about the GW bridge fiasco, I recalled how similar the governor’s conduct during the re-election campaign was to that of President Nixon during his victorious re-election campaign in 1972,” he said. …

… He had no need to engage in an abuse of power to win re-election, and, in fact, he won by a landslide. But Nixon just couldn’t help himself; he did it anyway; he eventually got caught, and it cost him his office and political career. One might surmise that it was the arrogance of power that did him in, but I suspect it was really his control-freak nature and deep vindictiveness fundamental to his nature. …

Remind you of anyone we know? I doubt the comparison will long be lost on New Jersey Democrats, who already smell blood in the water. …

…. Merkt says several people he spoke with in Trenton agree with the predictions that this will be the end of the governor’s 2016 presidential bid. “Given his vindictive nature, I always sensed that Christie would implode at some point, but I did not foresee it happening so soon or over such a petty matter,” said Merkt. “By the way, my recollection is that Nixon crushed McGovern by a 60 percent to 38 percent margin, a margin virtually identical to Christie’s victory over Buono.  Funny how history repeats itself.”

Politicos with Christie envy might as well get their names in print over the next week or so.  I think Christie will land on his feet and end up being an even more respected leader before the dust is settled on Bridgegate.

Before long Christie will be compared more to Truman than Nixon.  Watch for a “the buck stops here” Town Hall Meeting in Fort Lee before the end of the month.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, January 10-12, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, January 10

• Jersey Shore Home Show at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• The Underpants at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Presentation for Parents About Children’s Behavior (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• Play Mah Jongg (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• NYC Weekend Visit via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Navigating Through the Eldercare Maze (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Yoga for Adults (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Gadget Exploration Drop-In (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• MB vs. SB: Battle of District 76 (Monmouth Beach) – MORE INFO

• Open Skating (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Celebrate Summer in Winter (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

• Open Skating (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Fun Fridays for Adults (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• The Red Desert at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Open Evening Swim (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• College Women’s Basketball: Monmouth U vs. Canisius (WLB) – MORE INFO

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Fort Lee woman died as GWB closures delayed medical help

Fort Lee woman died as GWB closures delayed medical help (via NJ.com)

TRENTON — The controversial lane closures at the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee last September delayed emergency responders from attending to at least four medical situations — including helping a 91-year-old woman who laid unconscious and…

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Christie Outraged and Deeply Saddened By Bridgegate Conduct

Governor Chris Christie released the following statement late this afternoon regarding the conduct of his staff related to “Bridgegate,” the George Washington Bridge lane closures in September.

“What I’ve seen today for the first time is unacceptable. I am outraged and deeply saddened to learn that not only was I misled by a member of my staff, but this completely inappropriate and unsanctioned conduct was made without my knowledge. One thing is clear: this type of behavior is unacceptable and I will not tolerate it because the people of New Jersey deserve better. This behavior is not representative of me or my Administration in any way, and people will be held responsible for their actions.”

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4 unanswered questions from ‘Bridgegate’

4 unanswered questions from ‘Bridgegate’ (via NJ.com)

‘Bridgegate’ was cast in a whole new light today when emails came to light showing a high-level official in the Chris Christie administration knew about lane diversions at the George Washington Bridge before they were implemented. The revelations move…

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