Bridge-gate, Lessons in Leadership: NJ Gov. Chris Christie Apologizes for His Staff’s Conduct with Bridge Scandal and Fires Two Staffers … “I am Embarassed & Humiliated by Some of the People on my Team”

TAKE A GOOD LOOK AMERICA AS TO WHAT REAL LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY LOOKS LIKE …

Let me first preface this post with two things, I am no Chris Christie fan for presidential nominee for the GOP, and this is all predicated on the fact that he is telling the truth and he had no knowledge of this sophomoric and pathetic attempt at political retribution against the Mayor of Ft. Lee.

Yesterday in a press conference that went on for 1 hour and 7 minutes,  Republican Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey apologized for members of his staff’s conduct in their part of the closing of lanes of the George Washington Bridge that caused massive traffic delays in Fort Lee, NJ. This was done as the media would find out as a pathetic and ridiculous way to get back at the Mayor of Ft. Lee for not backing Christie in the recent New Jersey governors race in 2013. Christie apologized for the incident, took complete responsibility for his staff members actions and then fired Bridget Anne Kelly, the deputy chief of staff who sent an email approving the lane closings, whom he called “stupid” and “deceitful.” Christy also asked two-time campaign manager, Bill Stepien, to step down as a consultant to the Republican Governors Association and to withdraw his name from consideration to lead the state’s Republican Party.

In a remarkable day of swirling political drama, Gov. Chris Christie tried on Thursday to control the damage from revelations that his administration ordered the revenge-closings of traffic lanes at the George Washington Bridge by firing a top aide, cutting ties with a longtime political adviser and repeatedly apologizing in a nearly two-hour news conference.

Sounding somber and appearing contrite, the normally garrulous Mr. Christie said he had no advance knowledge of the lane closings and had been “humiliated” by the entire episode.

“I am a very sad person today,” he said. “I am heartbroken that someone I permitted to be in that circle of trust for the past five years betrayed that trust.”

 CNN: Christie drops swagger amid heat of scandal.

Christie’s tone and message represented a valiant attempt to disconnect himself from the embarrassing events that have attracted the attention of federal prosecutors, simultaneously pleading ignorance and accepting responsibility.

He said the buck stops with him but emphatically intoned that he had no knowledge of any aspect of the bridge controversy.

“I am stunned by the abject stupidity that was shown here regardless of what the facts ultimately uncover. This was handled in a callous and indifferent way,” he said.

As previously stated, I am not a Christie fan for president because of his stance on policy and the GOP does not need another moderate running. One would think they would have learned with the two failed campaigns of John McCain and Mitt Romney. That being said, how refreshing that a political leader come out and take responsibility for a scandal, then fire those individuals responsible. Hey Barack Obama, maybe you could learn some thing about what actual leadership looks like.