CHRISTIEGATE? – AT 9:02 A.M. ET:   Well, it hasn't been called that yet, but give it a few hours.  Chris Christie of New Jersey, currently the leading contender for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, is in trouble. 

The issue is almost silly – the allegation that his office, with him possibly involved, ordered a series of lane closings on the iconic George Washington Bridge, linking New York and New Jersey, to create traffic jams in Fort Lee, on the New Jersey side.  The purpose was to punish the mayor of Fort Lee for not supporting Christie at the polls.

The New York Times, natch, dug up e-mails that do seem to implicate some members of Christie's staff.   The Times has been out to get Christie, to destroy him, just as it tried to destroy John McCain in 2008 by alleging a romantic affair, which was never proved.  By contrast, The Times is out to clear the way for Hillary Clinton.  Its recent "report" on what happened at Benghazi, largely laughed at, never mentioned Clinton's name once.

Demands are already starting for Christie to be investigated, impeached, imprisoned, or put on a diet.  He'll hold a press conference today.  From Fox:

The political traffic jam that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is facing over his office's involvement in controversial lane closures last year could intensify on Thursday as an official at the heart of the scandal is slated to testify.

The governor is also preparing to give a press conference late Thursday morning. The governor is trying to get a handle on the controversy, which could threaten the potential 2016 presidential candidate's political aspirations.

The developments come after newly published emails show the governor's deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly, was involved in a bizarre incident last September, when lanes at the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee, N.J., were closed for four days. Christie faced accusations at the time that the lanes were blocked in retaliation over Mayor Mark Sokolich's refusal to endorse him for re-election last November.

Christie maintained Wednesday that he was "misled" and had no knowledge of his staff's apparent involvement.

But Christie confidant and ex-Port Authority official David Wildstein, who was deeply involved in the closures, was set to testify Thursday at a state legislative hearing. His version of events could provide new details about what happened -- though he is trying to quash the subpoena, and it's unclear whether he will ultimately testify.

Christie, for his part, is denying involvement.

"What I've seen today for the first time is unacceptable," Christie said. "I am outraged and deeply saddened to learn that not only was I misled by a member of my staff, but this completely inappropriate and unsanctioned conduct was made without my knowledge. One thing is clear: this type of behavior is unacceptable and I will not tolerate it because the people of New Jersey deserve better. This behavior is not representative of me or my Administration in any way, and people will be held responsible for their actions."

COMMENT:  Christie is a smart guy and a solid political strategist.  Clearly, some heads must roll.  If Christie personally was involved, the scandal could be damaging.  If not, and he handles the situation well, this could actually turn out to be a plus – a test of his integrity and ability to handle trouble.

Christie should welcome an investigation.  At the same time, he could lead the way in asking for other probes, such as an inquiry into Benghazi and into the hundreds of millions spent on the catastrophic Obamacare rollout.

The key here is to turn a negative into a positive.  I don't think a traffic jam will derail a presidential quest, but the Dems will do anything to stop Christie, and the Clinton press is already presenting this as the greatest tragedy in American or world history.  Let's see how Christie does at his press conference.

January 9, 2014