Christie: ‘We let down the people’

Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J.

Republican Gov. Chris Christie, faced with a widening political scandal that threatens to undermine his second term and a possible 2016 presidential run, apologized again Tuesday, saying his administration “let down the people we are entrusted to serve” but the issue doesn’t define his team or the state.

On the eve of his second term, he opened his annual State of the State address by touching only briefly on the apparent political payback plot, involving road lane closures that caused major backups at the George Washington Bridge, one of the busiest bridges in the country.

“The last week has certainly tested this administration,” he said. “Mistakes were clearly made. And as a result, we let down the people we are entrusted to serve. I know our citizens deserve better.”

He received tempered applause after he went on, saying, “This administration and this Legislature will not allow the work that needs to be done to improve the people’s lives in Jersey to be delayed.”

Christie’s measured tone was a noticeable contrast from a year ago when a blustery Christie promised to lead New Jersey back from superstorm Sandy, the costliest natural disaster in state history.

After addressing the scandal, Christie moved on in his speech to such familiar themes as avoiding tax increases and working with the Democrats who control both chambers of the state Legislature. But he returned to the theme of bipartisanship throughout as he sought to repel doubts about an aggressive brand of politics that propelled him to the forefront of his party but might also be responsible for an apparent petty political vendetta carried out by members of his inner circle.