Rachel Maddow: Christie cronies' 9/11 'political goodie bag' makes bridge scandal even weirder

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow expressed subtle disgust on Tuesday with the news that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's (R) administration has apparently been giving away pieces of salvaged metal from the wreckage of the World Trade Center as part of a "political goodie bag" in his quest for endorsements.

"If you feel the need to hit pause and go take a shower to rid yourself of the feeling you are feeling right now, I understand," Maddow said. "I'm probably on DVR, so just hit pause."

Maddow explained that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey had allowed cities around the world to apply for the chance to own some of the relics from the 9/11 attacks -- stored in Hangar 17 at JFK Airport -- if they could present a compelling enough argument for their plans to commemorate the somber occasion.

But the Times report showed a picture of former Christie appointee Bill Baroni giving one piece of metal to Secaucus, New Jersey, Mayor Michael Gonnelli. Gonnelli was reportedly part of the top 20 in a list of 100 mayors Christie's team was wooing in his re-election campaign.

While saying the report "kind of wants to make you run into every social studies class in the country and tell the kids not to go into politics unless they're emigrating to a country where it isn't this disgusting," however, Maddow pointed out that the existence of the list runs counter to a popular theory regarding the August 2013 lane closures on the George Washington Bridge and Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich (D), the apparent target. Sokolich, it turned out, was ranked No. 45 on the list.

"Seriously, though?" Maddow asked aloud. "Think about that for a second: You close down access to the world's busiest bridge for number 45 on your list? You gridlock a town for five days for the guy who's only number 45 on your list of priorities? Seriously? What does that mean they did if number 35 failed to endorse? Would that be nuclear?"

Watch Maddow's commentary, as aired on Tuesday, below.