Judgement Day in Jersey: How Things Went From Bad to Worse for Chris Christie

By Charles Pierce, Esquire

03 May 15

In which we learn how bad things can get for Chris Christie.

hris Christie is still running around the country pretending to run for president. (And I think his only real shot is to get his Agnew on regarding the events in Baltimore, a campaign I wouldn't wish on any nation.) Meanwhile, back at the ranch, things are heating up again.

At least one of those charged in the high-profile case reportedly will plead guilty this morning. According to Bloomberg, David Wildstein, a key figure in the investigation, will enter a guilty plea. At his Montville home, a white SUV could be seen leaving at 5 a.m. and moving down the street at high speed.As Wildstein arrived at the courthouse this morning, photographers outside scrambled to identify the man they just photographed. He had lost a lot of weight since his last public appearance and everyone was stunned. Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich began a normal business day at his law office, meeting with a client. Afterward, he told NJ Advance Media he will comment later today. "This is not going to be an easy day," Sokolich said.

If you're keeping score at home, this would be three putative Republican presidential candidates tangled up with the law, one of whom (Rick Perry) is actually indicted. I'd be as shocked as anyone if Big Chicken got charged, at least this time around. But the pressure on Wildstein -- and whoever else feels the wrath of the dunghammer on their heads -- to deal is going to get pushed up to 11 by the middle of the afternoon. I think Wildstein is likely to give up his mother at this point. It's not likely there's going to be a President Christie to help a brother out.

And, by the way, remember when it was all fun and games?

Christie initially dismissed suggestions that his aides may have played a role in the closures at the nation's most heavily trafficked bridge turning at first to humor to brush aside such suggestions at a Dec. 2, 2013, news conference. "I worked the cones," he joked. "Unbeknownst to anyone, I was working the cones."

Ho, ho. What a jolly fellow. A new phrase may be added to all his talking points today. Henceforth, they all will begin, "To the best of my recollection..." I mean, it's not like he's got any weight to throw around any more.