Here’s what New Jersey Governor Chris Christie did right during his news conference about those controversial lane closures:
- He apologized. He is embarrassed and humiliated. He apologized for failure.
- He announced the firing of his deputy chief of staff. He asked someone to leave his organization.
- Christie explained steps he will take to learn more.
- He took responsibility. “Ultimately I am responsible.”
- Christie is going to Fort Lee to apologize to people and the mayor.
- He said, “I was wrong” to question investigation into this.
- We don’t have all the facts, but Christie spoke in a genuine not robotic fashion.
- He said, “I am soul searching.” He said this is the exception not the rule.
- Christie did a good job saying, “I don’t know” when asked questions he didn’t have information for.
- Christie handled this news conference so well, the media in the room seemed to be straining to ask challenging questions.
- Christie handled this news conference so well, the media actually found moments to laugh a couple of times.
- Christie did not cut short an extremely long news conference.
What Christie did wrong during the news conference:
- Christie said, “I am not a bully.” Don’t repeat negative questions back to reporters. Members of the media later repeated that sound bite.
- Christie was at times gruff when telling reporters not to interrupt him.
We give Christie an A- for this news conference.