NJ Bridge Emails: Warning of 'Disaster' Ignored

Media outlets have had the better part of a day to pore over thousands of newly released emails and texts related to the Chris Christie traffic mess, and if the New Jersey governor can take one bit of good news from the coverage, it's that none of the documents directly implicate him as having a role in the shutdown of two lanes on the George Washington Bridge. But the trove also means that the story won't be dying down anytime soon. Some of the common angles being emphasized are that Port Authority staffers were warned in advance that the lane closures would be a "potential disaster" for emergency responders and others; Christie-appointed staffers sought to suppress media coverage; and there was nasty infighting between New York and New Jersey port officials. A look at some headlines:

• Bergen Record: "Vulgarity-laced emails show attempts to silence GWB story"
• Star-Ledger: "Documents show Port Authority chairman blasting executive director"

• New York Times: "Bridge Scandal Papers Point to Cover-Up by Chris Christie Allies"
• New York Post: "Christie appointee ordered officials' silence on Bridgegate"
• Los Angeles Times: "Bridge emails show Chris Christie aides ignored public safety"
• Wall Street Journal: "'Disaster' Predicted Before Lane Closures"
• Sample email, from Patrick Foye, executive director of the Port Authority and an appointee of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo: “I will get to the bottom of this abusive decision which violates everything this agency stands for; I intend to learn how PA [Port Authority] process was wrongfully subverted and the public interest damaged to say nothing of the credibility of this agency." Christie appointees accused him of grandstanding.

(More Chris Christie stories.)