The Christie Tracker

Latest Episodes:

Christie Tracker Podcast - The Bridgegate Trial: Week 1 Sep 21, 2016

Show notes

The 'Bridgegate trial' has begun for former Christie staffer, Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority. And Chris Christie's name has been coming up a lot in federal court in Newark.

On the very first day, prosecutors came out and said the governor knew about the politically motivated lane closures leading to the George Washington Bridge while they were happening.

We kick off season two of the Christie Tracker Podcast: The Bridgegate Trial with WNYC's Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein, who are witnessing every minute of the trial unfold. They join host David Furst for analysis, behind the scenes stories from the trial and the latest on how this all might affect Chris Christie's involvement in the 2016 election.

Andrea says one of the reasons why the Bridgegate saga continues to be fascinating is because 'it's Hamlet meets American Hustle.'

WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Radiolab, Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin, Death Sex & Money and many more.

Listen to more shows from WNYC Studios: http://wny.cc/yzc4304odXp

The Christie Tracker: The Bridgegate Trial Sep 19, 2016

Show notes

We've been on hiatus for a while.

But summer break is over. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band wrapped up their tour. Beach season is done. And we got kicked out of the rental in Manasquan.

Oh, and the Bridgegate trial is finally underway for former Governor Christie staffer, Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority.

So it was time to reemerge.

We're re-launching with a new season of podcasts starting this Wednesday, September 21st. And we'll be joined once again by WNYC's award-winning team of Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein. Download a new show every week for analysis, behind the scenes stories from the trial and the latest on how it all might affect Chris Christie's involvement in the 2016 election.

Governor Christie's Achilles Heel Mar 16, 2016

Show notes

From Bridgegate to the Chairman’s Flight... and from the scuttling of the ARC Hudson River tunnel project to the precarious finances of state’s depleted transportation trust fund, the Christie administration has been defined by controversy related to travel and transportation.

This week, it was revealed that New Jersey taxpayers have shelled out nearly $1.8 million for his Executive Protection Unit when Governor Christie goes out of state.

NJPR’s Matt Katz joins host David Furst to discuss what he calls the governor’s Achilles heel. “Travel and Christie’s personal political ambitions have always been intertwined.” Matt takes us way back to the time before he was U.S. Attorney for New Jersey to show how travel-related issues dogged Christie throughout his career.

We’re also joined by reporter, Ginger Gibson. She covered Christie’s personal use of state police helicopters for the Star-Ledger during his first term.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker and Matt’s new book, American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption.

Will Chris Christie Do Anything to Stay Out of Jersey? Mar 02, 2016

Show notes

Depending on who you were talking to, it was either the most shocking thing the governor has ever done or not surprising at all. But certainly everyone was talking about it.

Chris Christie’s endorsement of Donald Trump sent the political world reeling and had New Jersey residents wondering when they might ever see their governor again. Just over two weeks after suspending his own presidential bid, the governor was back out on the campaign trail – this time working for his buddy, Donald.

NJPR’s Matt Katz joins us to try to make sense of the situation. He tells host David Furst that even “some members of his inner circle were shocked by this.”

We also speak with Jennifer Rubin who writes the conservative Right Turn blog for the Washington Post. In the past, she has been an admirer of the governor. But after the Trump endorsement, she unleashed a series of tweets and columns that, uh, did not hold back – as headlines like “Chris Christie is Now Ruined” made perfectly clear.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker and Matt’s new book, American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption.

New Bi-weekly Schedule for Christie Tracker Podcast Feb 24, 2016

Show notes

With Governor Christie out of the presidential race and his budget speech out of the way, the Christie Tracker Podcast is shifting to a bi-weekly schedule.

But we've left you with a mashup of Christie-speak from the campaign trail. (See if you can guess which three-letter phrase seemed to pop up more than any other during his TV, town hall and debate appearances.)

And join us here next Wednesday, March 2nd. We'll be back with New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz and all the latest Christie news.

Until then, you can always re-read Matt's book, American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption or check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.