Romney defends Christie's handling of bridge controversy

FILE: June 21, 2012: GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney speak in Orlando, Fla.AP

Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is defended New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s handle of the so-called “bridge scandal” and doesn’t think the controversy will hurt his presidential chances.
“I think Chris has handling this in a very effective way,” Romney told The Washington Post.
Romney argued Christie took swift and decisive action upon learning a member of his administration did something he found reprehensible.
“He faced the American people for two hours, took their questions,” Romney told the paper. “He dismissed people who were responsible. He took personal responsibility. That’s what a leader does.”
Recently released emails and text messages show Christie aides and political associates orchestrated a massive traffic jam in Fort Lee, N.J., near the George Washington Bridge, as an apparent act of political retribution. That city’s Democratic mayor did not endorse Christie in his successful re-election effort last year.
Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, also praised what he thinks was clear transparency in government, saying Americans  “are pining for leaders who will take responsibility.”
He said he doesn’t think Christie will be hurt by the controversy and that he’ll be “seen as a stronger leader” as time passes.
Romney has said recently he doesn't think his 2012 presidential bid was hurt by Christie embracing President Obama during Hurricane Sandy in the final days of the campaign, despite fellow Republicans still saying otherwise.
Romney also told the news paper that strong, potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates include Rep. Paul Ryan, Wis., former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Marco Rubio, Fla., Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.