Bridging troubled waters
In politics and business, the best-laid plans can go astray instantly when mismanaged trouble spirals into full-blown crisis. A current case in point: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, after denying that the September shuttering of traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee was orchestrated by his office as political retribution, had to confront damaging reports last week that the closures were ordered by a top aide, and were known by others. The revelations came with the release of emails from high-level Christie advisers and appointees at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. During a Jan. 9 news conference, Christie apologized but denied knowing of or being involved in the traffic scheme. Christie said he had severed ties with his campaign manager and deputy chief of staff, who were implicated in the emails. Two Port Authority executives, who also knew of and appear to have assisted in the...