WNYC: More New Jersey Mayors Say They Think They Were Punished For Not Playing Along w/ Christie

[Hissyspit]

@GregMitch: RT @politicalwire: More New Jersey mayors say they think they were punished for not playing along with Chris Christie
http://t.co/wXKAyEEkVJ

http://www.wnyc.org/story/nj-mayors-was-christie-getting-revenge-me-too/

NJ Mayors: Was Christie Getting Revenge on Me, Too?

Friday, January 10, 2014
By SARAH GONZALEZ : Reporter, WNYC/NJPR

Mayors in New Jersey say they're starting to consider foul play on behalf of the Christie administration in light of the George Washington Bridge lane closure controversy.

Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer says she had a face to face visit with Governor Christie in the Spring, when he asked her to endorse him for re-election. She told him she would be remaining neutral.

“He was quite disappointed, but I wouldn't say that he was angry. He was disappointed and said he would keep asking,” Zimmer said. "And I said, 'We can keep the conversation going but I don't expect to be changing my position.’ And I didn't.”

She had applied for a Hazard Mitigation Grant to protect Hoboken from flooding. During Sandy, 80 percent of the city was under water.

Zimmer says she asked the state for $100 million in grants. She got $300,000 — a fraction of 1 percent.

“It's a lot less and I was extremely disappointed,” Zimmer said. “And at the time I was angry because I felt like the focus was on the shore.”

- snip -

In Jersey City, Mayor Steven Fulop recently disclosed that the Christie administration cancelled several meetings — the day after he refused to endorse the Governor.

In Elizabeth, Chris Bollwage, who has been the mayor for 21 years, says his city has gotten payback from Christie after its state legislators opposed several pieces of the Governor's legislation.

“The Governor's retribution was to close down the Division of Motor vehicles here in the city of Elizabeth, which is the fourth largest city in the state of New Jersey,” Bollwage said.

MORE[p]

[Kingofalldems]

1. I smell a massive investigation coming.

[democratisphere]

2. Christie is a classic bully and partisan as hell.

Just the kind of guy to occupy the WH.

[mucifer]

3. It might not be illegal just unethical. I believe it happens in lots of states.

But, then again I live in Illinois where recently 3 exgovernors were in prison and we have a slimy dem named madigan running the state legislature with people fearing to cross him and lets not forget mayor rahm here in Chicago.

[Cha]

12. Belies the "I am not a Bully" statement, though.

[marions ghost]

38. "I am not a crook, I am not a witch, I am not a bully..."

When they say "I am not a..."

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. My, the list is growing.

Hope someone is keeping track.
Sure is a lot of circumstantial evidence.

[ProSense]

5. Christie's

bullying and pettiness are well documented.

Stories Add Up as Bully Image Trails Christie

By KATE ZERNIKE

In 2010, John F. McKeon, a New Jersey assemblyman, made what he thought was a mild comment on a radio program: Some of the public employees that Gov. Chris Christie was then vilifying had been some of the governor’s biggest supporters.

He was surprised to receive a handwritten note from Mr. Christie, telling him that he had heard the comments, and that he didn’t like them.

“I thought it was a joke,” Mr. McKeon recalled. “What governor would take the time to write a personal note over a relatively innocuous comment?”

But the gesture would come to seem genteel compared with the fate suffered by others in disagreements with Mr. Christie: a former governor who was stripped of police security at public events; a Rutgers professor who lost state financing for cherished programs; a state senator whose candidate for a judgeship suddenly stalled; another senator who was disinvited from an event with the governor in his own district.

- more -

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/25/nyregion/accounts-of-petty-retribution-reinforce-christies-bullying-image.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024306587

Christie Says,"I Am Not a Bully." Here Are 8 Videos of Him Yelling,Name-Calling,and BelittlingPeople
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024306949

The current scandal takes it to another level: criminal

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024316362

[TheBlackAdder]

7. That's the funny thing.. because he seemed to take pride in being known as a bully. nt

[Cha]

14. But, now.. it's all.. "I am Not a Bully." Ha.

[Laxman]

19. Pride? He Actively Cultivates the Image!

&feature=share&list=UUXzfzH1fdc87WUmZ6YeyNdQ&index=1

Mayors who didn't immediately back his 2% budget cap idea saw state aid cut.

Public officials who serve on independent commissions have been threatened with loss of state aid for their towns if they didn't vote the way Christie wanted them to.

Legislators have been threatened with criminal prosecution ( and conversely relieved of the threat) for supporting certain legislation.

Anyone who crosses him, even members of his own party, are shut out of state government.

And of course Sandy money, Sandy money, Sandy money!

[El_Johns]

44. So that was fixed? The guy in the blue shirt is a ringer?

[enough]

25. Apparently, he and his staff actively cultivate that image and work at publicizing it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/01/08/chris-christies-problem-is-that-hes-really-truly-a-bully/

Christie inhabits a rare space in American politics: He's a bully. He's followed around by an aide with a camcorder watching for moments in which Christie, mustering the might and prestige of his office, annihilates some citizen who dares question him.

Almost everywhere Christie goes, he is filmed by an aide whose job is to capture these “moments,” as the governor’s staff has come to call them. When one occurs, Christie’s press shop splices the video and uploads it to YouTube; from there, conservatives throughout the country share Christie clips the way tween girls circulate Justin Bieber videos. “The YouTube stuff is golden,” says Rich Lowry, the editor of National Review. “I can’t tell you how many people forward them to me.” One video on Christie’s YouTube channel — a drubbing he delivered to another aggrieved public-school teacher at a town hall in September — has racked up over 750,000 views.

Now in Moorestown, Christie was hoping to create another such moment. After some introductory remarks, he opened the floor to questions. “For those of you who have seen some of my appearances on YouTube,” he cautioned, peeling off his suit jacket as he spoke, “this is when it normally happens.”

snip>

[El_Johns]

45. That is so awfully creepy. There are so many people in the US who admire - bullies?

[Laxman]

46. It Sure Looks That Way...

the guy who put it together is a media relations guy with 25 years of experience doing video. He said it was all just too perfect for a pubic appearance. The video cameras in the right spot, Chrisite standing in right spot, the photographers right there, the guy standing up.Not just chance. plus Christie travels everywhere with a videographer just hoping to catch such scenes of YouTube gold.

[El_Johns]

47. That Christie is using PR tactics to position himself as a "tough bully" is incredibly depressing

to me. First because I would have never imagined that "bully" would be so popular of an image, & second because it highlights how much our public space is dominated by sheer fantasy, image making & manipulation.

This is not a democracy.

I'll add a third: if Christie had such a developed program for doing this, it tells me lots of other politicians do as well, AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT.

And a fourth: if Christie & his staff are willing to harm the public in furtherance of their own ends, it tells me other politicians do the same, AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT.

What a pile of stinking corruption.

[TheBlackAdder]

6. This is like a serial sex abuser. Once it comes out, the victims slowly come forward.

I remember my town and county took major hits in state funding when he got in office.

The feeling was, in my area... you either play or pay.


===

This is probably why there were so many Dem endorsements. The politicians weighed the damage in refusing to endorse him against the retaliation... especially as the polls showed it would be a landslide anyway.

Only the politicians with balls stood up for their convictions, though it put their towns at potential risk.


===


The first people I would question are those Democrats who supported him. To see if there was duress.

[LiberalElite]

20. It's like the mafia

showing up at businesses asking for protection money.

[rocktivity]

23. I didn't nickname him "Governor Soprano"

for nothing.


rocktivity

[jsr]

43. The fear factor is broken.

[Gothmog]

8. As people lose their fear of Christie, we will see more such reports

Most people are afraid of christie because he is a bully. Bullies lose their power when people cease to be afraid of them

[Cha]

15. Zactly.

[Gothmog]

21. At some point, there will be a rush to make complaints

At some point, people will realize that (a) it is safe to report abuses by Christie and (b) if Christie did not abuse you, then you were doing something wrong.

[Cha]

37. " (b) if Christie did not abuse you, then you were doing something wrong."

Excellent!

[Gothmog]

39. During Watergate, it was a honor to on Nixon's enemies list

There were democrats who were upset if they were not on Nixon's list

[Cha]

40. I bet! And, now.. those Dem Mayors who stood firm

and did not endorse Christie are looking like heroes.. as well as Barbara Buono! Can you believe it!

[Laxman]

27. You Are Correct Sir!

He recently lost a big battle to put a gas pipeline through the globally significant Pinelands in south jersey to serve an aging power plant owned by a private equity firm with ties to the Koch Brothers. He tried to strongarm the Pinelands Commissioners. But...the vote wasn't taken until the day after the GWB scandal broke! For the first time in a long time he didn't get his way.

[SunSeeker]

33. Awesome!

[Dawson Leery]

28. I agree.

Christie could be charged with racketeering. Christie operates on the principles of the mafia.

[rocktivity]

52. Nicknamed him "Governor Soprano"

years ago...


rocktivity

[truebluegreen]

36. I think that is exactly right.

Now that the ice has been broken, and scrutiny is at a high level and likely to continue, all kinds of abuses will come to light.

[treestar]

9. Why the heck does Christie feel entitled to endorsements from Democrats?

Looks like the bridge is the tip of an iceberg.

[bettyellen]

13. he was going for the "bipartisan support" meme. just didn't plan on the bullying/ extortion one.

[treestar]

16. Yes, I would think true bipartisanship

would not involve demands of actual support from the opposing party, threats, canceling meetings and messing with federal money for a disaster. The whole image Christie presents is thus a lie anyway.

[polichick]

26. And why would Democrats support him? imo real Democrats wouldn't.

[Shankapotomus]

10. Trust in the NJ Governorship

has been completely poisoned and undermined.

Every move in Trenton and every unfavorable policy and action effecting counties and politicians uncooperative with Christie is now permanently suspect.

Christie must step down now.

[Cha]

11. Just as we Suspected! Christie is sooooooo

fucking transparent!

thanks Hissyspit

[bettyellen]

17. Hoboken was devastated by Sandy, and it's very densely populated area. but of course he

sent the money down by the shore, where his voters are.

[CatWoman]

18. didn't the Fort Lee mayor say something about investigating where the Sandy money went?

[justiceischeap]

22. This sounds very much like politics as usual in DC

I wonder as more Mayors come forward if any will come with something prosecutable.

[ProgressSaves]

24. The Mayor of Seaside Park didn't endorse Christie.

[SummerSnow]

29. Oh oh. Im not going to say what Im thinking

[bettyellen]

35. Arson?

[Hissyspit]

42. I thought it before I posted the article.

[VanillaRhapsody]

30. Called it!

I said from the moment it happened.....Christie's skeletons are going to start flying out of his closet!

It's going to get worse for him...that is why he is playing victim...he isn't trying to save his career...he is trying to prevent a major lawsuit and or jail time!

[Vashta Nerada]

31. What a petty and vindictive asshole.

Christie needs to lose his job.

[SunSeeker]

32. "Nice little city you got here, Mayor. Hate to see something happen to it." nt

[BumRushDaShow]

34. Drip drip drip. nt

[jsr]

41. "I'm Not a Bully"

[ProSense]

48. Josh Marshall: Following the Money on Bridgegate

Josh Marshall: Following the Money on Bridgegate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024320555

[Hissyspit]

49. Kick nt

[alfredo]

50. Christy Revealed

They can imitate feelings, but the only real feelings they seem to have: is a sort of 'predatorial hunger' for what they want. All else - all activity - is subsumed to this drive. In short, the psychopath is a predator. If we think about the interactions of predators with their prey in the animal kingdom, we can come to some idea of what is behind the "mask of sanity" of the psychopath.

This leads us to an important question: what does the psychopath really get from their victims? It's easy to see what they are after when they lie and manipulate for money or material goods or power. But in many instances we can only say that it seems to be that the psychopath enjoys making others suffer.

Laura Knight-Jadczyk

[Turbineguy]

51. Nazi thuggishness plays well with the base.

Teabaggers will be happy that Obama's attempt at civilizing CC did not go anywhere.

[Gothmog]

53. Rachel had the e-mails from one of these mayors on her show last night

The only reason for a Democratic officeholder to support Christie is fear.

[Kurovski]

54. K&R. (nt)