Chris Christie Tells Diane Sawyer: No Bridgegate Responsibility
ABC US News | ABC Business News
NJ Gov. Chris Christie was interviewed Thursday night by ABC’s Diane Sawyer, and made the case that he shouldn’t be blamed for the “Bridgegate” scandal afflicting his administration — not even to the point that his abrupt personal style might’ve accidentally influenced the staffers who sought revenge on a Democratic mayor by creating traffic problems near the George Washington Bridge at Fort Lee.
But he feels bad about the affair: “You don’t sleep, you don’t eat,” he said.
“I spent a lot of time in the last 11 weeks thinking about what did I do, if anything, to contribute to this,” Christie said.
The governor is routinely described as blunt and has regularly come under criticism for what some say is a bullying style when it comes to critics and political opponents. But he denied that his personal style created an atmosphere that encouraged political bullying by his staff.
“I don’t think anyone would take that as an indication to do something so incredibly stupid,” he said.
At another point, he said to Sawyer: “You asked if I contributed to a climate, and I don’t believe that I did.”
The governor also said that he does not believe the bridge affair was even done on his behalf.
“I don’t believe it was for me,” he said.
And for 2016? “I think they love me in Iowa, Diane,” he said.
More of the interview should be available today on Good Morning America.
