Christie Hopes Speech Will Distract from Scandal

“In a political high-wire act, Gov. Chris Christie will try on Tuesday to refocus attention from a controversy over a vindictive traffic jam to the day-to-day work of governing, by outlining plans to extend the school day, lower taxes for homeowners and reduce urban crime,” the New York Times reports.

“Christie’s State of the State address, with all its pomp and formality, offers him a welcome if awkwardly timed opportunity to present himself as a policy-purveying statesman, without having to answer questions. It will be a far cry from his last turn at the podium last week, when he appeared before voters as an angry, humiliated and, in his words, ‘heartbroken’ man who accepted responsibility for his staff’s role in closing traffic lanes to the George Washington Bridge.”

Washington Post: “The governor is expected to address the bridge scandal in Tuesday’s speech, but he is unlikely to linger on it. ”