Introduction

Mel Evans/Associated Press

First it was a mystery — why were toll lanes to the George Washington Bridge closed, creating massive traffic tie-ups? Then, to Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, it was a joke — he moved the cones to close the toll booths, he mockingly told reporters last month. Now it is a major scandal as emails reveal that Christie’s close aides had ordered the closings to punish a mayor who had not endorsed the governor’s re-election.

Despite his contrite apology on Thursday, and his dismissal of a top aide, do Governor Christie’s actions, or inactions, justify an end to his political career?