By Bill O'Reilly
The governor of New Jersey admitted yesterday that members of his staff ordered roads to the George Washington Bridge be closed creating traffic chaos in the town of Fort Lee -- this, to punish the mayor of that town who did not endorse the governor for re-election.
Christie had to hold a press conference, apologize, admitting he was responsible for what his staff did. The governor did say, however, that he did not know they were messing with the traffic. Honest folks will accept that statement but, if it proves not to be true, the governor is done on the national scene.
Chris Christie is a bona fide presidential contender in 2016 on the Republican side so reaction to his problem is very interesting. The woman he defeated last November said this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STATE SENATOR BARBARA BUONO (D), NEW JERSEY: When this first surfaced back in September, I was convinced that Christie was directing it. You know, you just get to know how he operates. He runs a paramilitary organization.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'REILLY: On the other side, Rush Limbaugh, no fan of Christie's, opined in this manner.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUSH LIMBAUGH, RADIO HOST: Have any of the RINOs, the Republicans in Name -- the moderate Republicans. Have any Republican establishment types come out and said that they support Christie? They haven't.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'REILLY: Our pal Glenn Beck also hammered Christie.
For hard line conservative Americans the government -- the governor, I should say is unacceptable because he is a moderate and actually helped President Obama in the last election.
But there is no question that Christie is a danger to the Democrats. His feisty style would put Hillary Clinton or whomever gets the nomination on the defensive. That's why the "New York Times" and other Democratic organs have labeled Christie a bully and today the "Times" stated that the traffic mess happened because Christie's administration is, quote, "vindictive", unquote.
Now, I don't know Governor Christie -- never met him and hasn't appeared on THE FACTOR. We would like him to appear, but so far he has said no. So I don't really know what he is like. I do know what his image is -- a no nonsense politician who does not suffer fools. That's refreshing to many Republicans who are used to politicians like Mitt Romney who are diplomatic to a fault.
If Christie runs for president, it will be a political brawl. And that is what some Republicans want. Bring the fight to the other side. So that's why a traffic controversy has erupted all across the country.
Christie is not liked by some conservatives, but he is feared by some liberals. So both sides are happy with the governor's conundrum.
And that's "The Memo."
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