Christie news conference

Christie apologized, fired an aide and said he would go to Fort Lee to talk to residents. Here’s the latest:

3rd & 7 37yd

by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 3:56:58 PM
Emails raise questions about political retribution in Christie controversy
In private emails obtained by CNN and other news organizations, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's deputy chief of staff communicates with top Port Authority officials in what appears to be an effort at political retribution against the mayor of Fort Lee for not endorsing the governor's reelection effort. The resulting effort included a traffic study that jammed multiple lanes of the George Washington Bridge for several days last year, including the first day of school. Christie has sought to distance himself and his office from the controversy, saying that they were told the study was justified but its implementation had not followed protocols. The emails were provided under subpoena to a New Jersey state committee investigating the matter by one of Christie's top appointees on the Port Authority, David Wildstein. Click on the photo to read the emails.
by Anna Gonzalez via twitter 1/9/2014 4:01:03 PM
Gov. @ChrisChristie is expected to take questions at a press conference about the #GWBridge controversy live on CNN. cnn.it/19VdhlT
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:01:04 PM
On Election Day 2013, CNN Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie how he would advise President Obama, who at the time was embroiled in a controversy about whether he misled the American people over being able to keep their health plans.

"Here's what my suggestion would be to him," Christie said then. "Don't be so cute. And when you make a mistake, admit it...Say, 'you know what? I said it, I was wrong. I'm sorry, and we're going to try to fix this and make it better.'"

Tapper, host of CNN's "The Lead," reports that sources close to Christie say people shouldn't be surprised if they see the governor take his own advice at the press conference.
by Erin McPike via twitter 1/9/2014 4:01:17 PM
So many photographers and reporters in the hallway outside Christie briefing room who can't get in. Serious overflow...
by Michelle Jaconi via twitter 1/9/2014 4:02:09 PM
Liveblog up and running pre-@GovChristie presser for #GwBridge : cnn.it/1ks5YpY - join in with your own questions
by cnnbrk via twitter 1/9/2014 4:02:25 PM
Christie expected to take questions a press conference about #GWBridge controversy live on CNN. cnn.it/19VdhlT
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:03:39 PM
Former Republican Gov. Tom Kean of New Jersey reacts:

"He's not accepting responsibility," Kean told CNN’s Gloria Borger. "He doesn't answer any of the main questions."

Christie has referred to Kean as his mentor in the past. In fact, according to a book by Bob Ingle, Christie’s first foray into politics – as a child – was when his mother drove him to Kean’s house to chat about what it meant to run for office.

“If it's serious, as it is, the legislature should be appointing a bipartisan committee,” Kean said.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:04:26 PM
CNN Chief National Correspondent John King, who's at the press conference in Trenton, reports the governor will be running a little late.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:04:50 PM
According to the most recent national polls, Christie is the slight front-runner among the potential Republican contenders for the 2016 GOP nomination.
by CNN Video via twitter 1/9/2014 4:05:21 PM
.@SenatorLesniak requests an investigation for the #Christie camp, citing possible criminally negligent homicide: cnn.it/19V4pfX
by cnnbrk via twitter 1/9/2014 4:05:42 PM
Hospital: Condition of ex-Israeli PM Ariel Sharon deteriorating. cnn.it/1aK0du9
by Erin McPike via twitter 1/9/2014 4:05:45 PM
One minute warning to Christie
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:06:47 PM
From: CNN's Paul Steinhauser and Steve Brusk

It seems New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie didn't need the backing of Democratic Mayor Mark Sokolich of Fort Lee after all.

Christie carried Fort Lee in his landslide re-election victory last November over little known Democratic state Sen. Barbara Buono. According to election results on the Bergen County Clerk's website, the Republican governor and likely 2016 GOP presidential contender grabbed 3,735 votes in Fort Lee, to Buono's 2,941. Democratic voters greatly outnumber their Republican counterparts in the borough.
by Erin McPike via twitter 1/9/2014 4:07:00 PM
David Wildstein will appear at the noon hearing. His request to avoid it was denied.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:08:11 PM
Christie says he comes out here today to "apologize to the people of New Jersey" as well as the people of Fort Lee. "I am embarrassed and humility by the conduct of some of the people on my team."
by Michelle Jaconi via twitter 1/9/2014 4:08:19 PM
"I apologize" - @GovChristie repeats it three times to start the presser.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:08:36 PM
His team showed a lack of respect for government and the voters, Christie says.
by Jake Tapper via twitter 1/9/2014 4:08:37 PM
Christie fired deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly and state GOP head Bill Stepian
by New Day via twitter 1/9/2014 4:09:01 PM
'I have come here today to apologize. I'm embarassed & humiliated by the conduct by some of people on my team' @GovChristie speaking @CNN
by CNN Politics via twitter 1/9/2014 4:09:01 PM
Gov. Christie: I come out here to apologize to the people of New Jersey. #GWBridge News conference LIVE now on CNN.
by cnnbrk via twitter 1/9/2014 4:09:06 PM
At news conference, Gov. Christie apologizes to people of New Jersey. cnn.it/1ks5YpY
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:09:14 PM
"I also need to apologize to them for my failure as the governor of the state to understand the nature of this problem sooner than I did."
by Midwin Charles via twitter 1/9/2014 4:09:55 PM
Chris Christie speaking now on #bridgegate ; I'm on @CNN to discuss. Do you think Christie's apology is sincere?
by cnnbrk via twitter 1/9/2014 4:09:56 PM
Gov. Christie said he's "embarrassed," "humiliated" by some members of his staff. cnn.it/1ks5YpY
by CNN Politics via twitter 1/9/2014 4:09:59 PM
Gov. Christie: I am embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some people on my team. #gwbridge
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:10:07 PM
Christie says he terminated his deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly, who helped orchestrate the move to close access lanes to the George Washington Bridge.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:11:40 PM
Christie says the emails he saw Wednesday for the first time proved that his staff had lied to him. "There's no justification for that behavior."
Carol Costello CNN

Chris Christie: "I apologize to people of New Jersey....I am embarrassed and humiliated..."

9 January 2014
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:13:00 PM
Christie says he will continue to have personal one-on-one discussions with remaining members of his senior staff to determine if there's any other information he needs to know. He's not done with the interviews yet, but when he's finished he says he will disclose additional information and make personnel changes, if needed.
by cnnbrk via twitter 1/9/2014 4:13:16 PM
Gov. Christie fired Bridget Anne Kelly, deputy chief of staff "because she lied to me." cnn.it/1ks5YpY
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:13:16 PM
"I am heartbroken" that a member of his staff "betrayed my trust."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:14:50 PM
Christie says he promised when he was elected he would be the best governor, but he didn't promise to be perfect.
by cnnbrk via twitter 1/9/2014 4:15:18 PM
Gov Christie: "I am responsible for what happened" over lane closure controversy.. "We fell short." cnn.it/1ks5YpY
by Jason Seher via twitter 1/9/2014 4:15:52 PM
Christie to @jaketapper on Election Day: "Don't be so cute. And when you make a mistake, admit it." | cnn.it/1dyQqYA
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:16:30 PM
Christie says he was "disturbed" by the tone of the emails released Wednesday. "It made me lose my confidence in Bill (Stepien's) judgement," he said. "I've instructed Bill Stepien to not place his name in nomination for state party chairman...and I've constructed him to withdraw his consultancy with the Republican Governors Association."

CNN's Peter Hamby reports: Stepien has been a big deal in Christie's world. He was a two-time Christie campaign manager and was just this week nominated by Christie to be the next New Jersey GOP Chairman. He was also recently appointed as an adviser to the RGA.
by Steve Brusk via twitter 1/9/2014 4:17:00 PM
Christie says he's lost confidence in Bill Stepien, he will not become state GOP chair or head of his politcal operation.
by CNN Politics via twitter 1/9/2014 4:17:56 PM
Gov. Christie fires top aide Bridget Anne Kelly "because she lied to me." #gwbridge cnn.it/1ks5YpY
by LisaMCNN via twitter 1/9/2014 4:18:00 PM
Christie: Ultimately I am responsible for what happens under my watch - good or bad. When mistakes made, I have to own up to them. #CNN
by Jake Tapper via twitter 1/9/2014 4:18:07 PM
Christie: "I was blindsided yesterday morning." Yesterday reports "first time I knew about this."
by cnnbrk via twitter 1/9/2014 4:18:19 PM
Christie, speaking of lane closure controversy: "When mistakes are made, then I have to own up to them." cnn.it/1ks5YpY
by Brooke Baldwin via twitter 1/9/2014 4:18:38 PM
Gov. Christie: "I was blindsided yesterday morning." #CNN
by Jim Acosta via twitter 1/9/2014 4:18:59 PM
Christie: "I was blind-sided... first time I had seen any of the documents" related to GWB lane closings.
by Michelle Jaconi via twitter 1/9/2014 4:19:20 PM
"Blindsided." - @GovChristie describing himself yesterday. @RoyPeterClark are you watching? Christie has his own brand of political diction.
by cnnbrk via twitter 1/9/2014 4:19:24 PM
Gov. Christie: "I was blindsided yesterday morning." cnn.it/1ks5YpY
by CNN's Ashley Killough 1/9/2014 4:19:26 PM
Christie says he's going to go to Fort Lee today and apologize to the mayor in person.