Political Campaign Donations: Is it the Question or the Answer that Matters?

It has been now a few months since the world learned that political appointees in the administration of Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) likely ordered the closure of driving lanes on the George Washington Memorial Bridge.  The emails between senior aides indicate that the closures may have been retribution directed towards the Mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey for failing to endorse Christie in his 2013 re-election campaign.  There has also been claims made that relief aid from Hurricane Sandy was used a means to coax political support.   Similarly, the indictment against former Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) and his wife paints a similar picture.  If one accepts the Department of Justice’s version of events, the McDonnell’s were the protagonists who, by virtue of McDonnell’s ascent to the Governorship, communicated that lavish gifts and donations would have payoffs.