The Christie Tracker

Latest Episodes:

Sandy Recovery: 'New Jersey's Done a Terrible Job' Apr 08, 2015

Show notes

Attorney Lawrence Bathgate is a former finance chair of the Republican National Committee. He talks about vacations with the Bush family in Kennebunkport. President Ford, John McCain and the first President Bush were guests at his Bay Head home. Rumor has it he owns Thomas Jefferson’s table.

He knows Christie personally. But he’s supporting Jeb Bush. Among the issues that bother him? Sandy recovery. “New Jersey’s done a terrible job," he says. "The people they hired were the wrong people."

New Jersey Public Radio and NJ Spotlight reporter Scott Gurian recorded a lengthy sit-down interview with Bathgate and joins us on the Christie Tracker Podcast with the highlights.

Also on the show:
Christie is heading back to New Hampshire. We preview the trip with New Jersey Public Radio’s Emma Jacobs. And, Host David Furst is joined by NJTV’s David Cruz who considers the governor’s reaction to the indictment of Senator Bob Menendez and walks us through a little Hudson County corruption history.

Plus:
Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

The Governor's Secret Weapon? Apr 01, 2015

Show notes

According to a CBS poll released this week, only 27 percent of Republicans would consider voting for Chris Christie. That puts him way down the list of likely Republican candidates.

But some say the governor has a secret weapon. And her name is Hillary Clinton.

This week, we're joined by NJ Advance Media state house reporter Claude Brodesser-Akner who traveled to Iowa to speak with voters. He says the thinking among Christie supporters goes something like this: ‘Hey, why don’t we win for a change?’ The prospect of Clinton as the Democrat’s nominee might ‘remind Iowans to focus on someone who’s more electable,' and Christie says he is that guy.

Then, Matt Rooney, founder of the Save Jersey blog, talks us through a Christie-Hillary smack-down.

And Christie’s former press secretary, Michael Drewniak, starts his new gig with NJ Transit on April 1st. It's a position created just for him. But back in February of 2010, the governor declared an end to the era of 'patronage hires' at the transit agency. The Star-Ledger’s Tom Moran says 'April fools!'

Presidential Politics, Ethics Reform and Sandy Mar 25, 2015

Show notes

Governor Christie projects “late spring, early summer” for an announcement on whether he’ll run for president. But why wait so long? With Ted Cruz formally jumping in the race, Matt and Tom take a hard look at Christie’s viability.

Plus, one year after the Mastro Report made ethics recommendations that Christie said he would fully embrace, the administration has adopted precious few of them. We look at what they did and didn't do.

We also look at some of the difficulties a top Christie official faced trying to help Sandy victims.

And… we consider the "Corvette affair."

Host David Furst is joined by New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz, Tom Moran, editorial page editor for The Star-Ledger, and Heather Haddon, of The Wall Street Journal.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

What the Bridgegate Fall Guy's Calendar Tells Us Mar 18, 2015

Show notes

This week, WNYC’s Andrea Bernstein and Matt Katz talk about their investigation into the calendars maintained by David Wildstein while he was at the Port Authority. The calendars, and a treasure trove of photos, reveal a closer connection than has been acknowledged between Governor Christie’s inner circle and Wildstein – the guy who answered “got it” in response to “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.”

Host David Furst also speaks with Robert George, associate editorial page editor and political commentator for the New York Post. Bridgegate? He says that’s far down the list when it comes to political problems for the governor.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

Menendez, Hillary & Christie: Perfect Together Mar 11, 2015

Show notes

Senator Robert Menendez is facing possible federal corruption charges for accepting gifts from a Florida eye doctor. Hillary Clinton is confronting a media firestorm for her secretive email habits. It calls to mind a certain governor’s relationship with his pal, "Jerry" and his own email history. (Spoiler alert: a grand total of ONE has been made public.)

Also this week:

A heckler from New Jersey follows Christie to Iowa with a message about Sandy recovery. And, after months of silence, we get a glimpse at a really, really tiny sliver of Christie’s immigration policy.

Host David Furst is joined by New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz, Scott Gurian, reporter for New Jersey Public Radio and NJ Spotlight, and Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the Latino Action Network.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

Christie Pivots Mar 04, 2015

Show notes

In basketball, the pivot is an essential move that can allow a player with the ball to trick a defender and score points.

In politics, pivoting on an issue can score points - but it also carries the risk of being labeled a flip-flop.

The Christie Tracker Podcast takes a close look at some of Christie's pivot moves. We also wade into the settlement with ExxonMobil over contaminated wetlands to find out whether the governor sold out the Garden State for a quick infusion of cash.

Host David Furst is joined by New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz, Tom Moran, editorial page editor for The Star-Ledger, and Matt Rooney who runs the conservative blog, Save Jersey.

Also: Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

A New Budget, and a $1.57 Billion Hangover Feb 25, 2015

Show notes

The governor delivered his sixth budget address this week. But this one was a little different. First, because it's not just going to be analyzed by state legislators and New Jersey residents… but also by the national media, potential Republican donors, and political watchers from coast-to-coast. Governor Christie is for all intents and purposes running for higher office.

Second, the budget speech came a day after a judge ruled that the governor broke a law (that he signed) when he cut $1.57 billion dollars from this year’s pension payment. That means lawmakers have to find the money to pay into the pension system. And fast. FY 2015 ends June 30th.

Next year’s budget? It’s tough to look forward to 2016 when you suddenly have to scramble to squeeze nearly $1.6 billion out of the current budget year.

The Christie Tracker Podcast has full analysis of the budget speech and the governor’s legal woes. Host David Furst is in the State House in Trenton this week, along with Matt Katz, who covers Governor Christie for WNYC and New Jersey Public Radio and Tom Moran, the editorial page editor for The Star-Ledger. We’re also joined by WNYC reporter, Jessica Gould, who covers politics and public finance.

Also: Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

'Grave Concerns' with Common Core Feb 18, 2015

Show notes

The Gov. continues to make news out-of-state. During his latest visit to New Hampshire, Governor Christie started talking about his first 100 days in office - - in the White House. He then went on to unveil a presidential platform.

Plus, after saying he had “grave concerns” about Common Core in Iowa, many in New Jersey were left puzzling over where the governor stands on the new PARCC test, which is set to be given to students in grades 3 through 11 in March.

Host David Furst is joined by New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz and Tom Moran, editorial page editor for The Star-Ledger. Guests include John Mooney, co-founder of NJ Spotlight and Republican Strategist, Jeanette Hoffman.

And check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

Governor Christie’s Favorite Story Feb 11, 2015

Show notes

This week, Governor Christie made his 13th appearance in Iowa in the past five years.

As he often does at campaign speeches, he tells a powerful, personal story about his mother on her deathbed. On the Christie Tracker Podcast we’ll take a closer look at the story - and the larger purpose it serves.

Also, as the governor continues to drum up support for a possible presidential run, he’s dealing with growing frustration among Republicans in New Jersey. We’ll talk about that dissatisfaction with Republican Strategist, Deirdre Woodbyrne.

Plus, we’ll get into the details about the “Chairman’s Flight.” David Samson, the former Chairman of the Port Authority, who has been entangled in the investigations surrounding Bridgegate, is now being investigated by federal prosecutors about a United Airlines flight route that went direct from Newark to an airport in South Carolina -- 50 miles from where he has a weekend home.

Host David Furst runs down the governor's week with New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz and Tom Moran, editorial page editor for The Star-Ledger.

Also -- join us for Tracking Chris Christie: A Conversation with Political Journalists at Montclair State University on February 18, 2015.

And check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

Governor Christie's London Mauling Feb 04, 2015

Show notes

Just last Friday, Chris Christie was basking in some very welcome news. Mitt Romney was not going to pursue another presidential run. That night, the governor had dinner with Romney and then he was off to London on a trade mission – with plans to meet with Prime Minister David Cameron and the promise of, perhaps, some good publicity back home.

Then things went off script.

It all started with a comment about vaccinations.

Asked about the measles outbreak in America, Christie said that parents need to have “some measure of choice” when it comes to vaccinations. The backlash was immediate.

Then, two investigative articles detailing Christie's lavish travel and who pays for it came out. Among the tidbits, the King of Jordan sprang for a $30,000 luxury hotel stay. And when Christie flies, he prefers a private jet with a bedroom. Suddenly, Gov. Christie was no longer in a chatty mood and canceled press conferences.

This week on the Christie Tracker Podcast, Host David Furst runs down the governor's week with New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz and Tom Moran, editorial page editor for The Star-Ledger. And check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

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