Two and a half weeks ago, Gov. Chris Christie referred to Bridgegate in his State of the State address. Since then he hasn't taken any questions from reporters, and he hasn't said a word about the scandal at any of his public events.

Governor Chris Christie addresses the Bridgegate emails at a Statehouse press conference
Governor Chris Christie addresses the Bridgegate emails at a Statehouse press conference (Twitter)
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"It's not only a good strategy, I think it's the only strategy that can work for him given the legal constraints he has," said Peter Woolley, professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

He pointed out if you're Gov. Christie, "you don't want to say anything because it represents a target for the opposition, and at some point it can come back to haunt you when somebody is testifying before the legislature under subpoena, or when a federal prosecutor is investigating other people. Anything he says about this case, people are going to immediately scramble for verification and test the veracity of whatever it is he says."

At the same time, Woolley said it's important for the governor to make appearances at public events around the state, to remind everyone he's the chief executive of the Garden State -- even if his position is "I am talking about the Super Bowl, that's all I'm talking about, that's what we're talking about, I'm not talking about anything else."

He said the governor may not have an open availability at any of his news conferences for weeks, or perhaps even months.

"He's got to be legally extremely careful about what other details he might offer about this case," Woolley. "And this isn't just about lane closures now, this is about a lot of people looking for whatever they can to bring him down to earth. People are out to get him, and that's because he was the front-runner, and that's the hazard. When you're the front-runner in a national contest, people will start shooting at you."

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