Governor Chris Christie gives remarks on the Senate passing legislation to eliminate COAH during a town hall, a promise he made during his campaign.
Gov. Chris Christie - Official Thread
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Re: Gov. Christie On "Burying" Affordable Housing Quotas
Fullfilling another 'campaign promise':
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/gov_chris_christie_nominates_l.html
Fullfilling another 'campaign promise':
- Governor Christie nominated lawyer Anne Murray Patterson to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court:
Chris Christie and Patterson during a press conference at the State-
house in Trenton.
- Christie's appointment of Patterson would replace Justice John Wallace, the only African-American member of the state's highest court:
New Jersey Supreme Court Justice
John Wallace Jr. hears oral arguments
in Newark on Feb. 2, 2010.
- Christie said his decision was more about reshaping the court than about Justice Wallace, whom he said he had “great respect for ... personally and professionally.”
(so much for respect, personally & professionally)
- “The court over the course of the last three decades has gotten out of control,” Christie said during a press conference in Trenton. “It inappropriately invaded the executive and legislative constitutional functions. It’s not for the court to set some of the policies that I believe that they’ve set. And I’ve talked all during the campaign about changing the court. The only way to change the court is to change its members.”
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/gov_chris_christie_nominates_l.html
Re: Gov. Christie On "Burying" Affordable Housing Quotas
I'll post Christie's latest approval ratings along with the newly sworn in republicans as soon as they are made available. I guarantee you that their is voter's remorse already.
As I have eluded to since the beginning of President Obama's term. Campaign rhetoric is one thing, but governing is another. Today's republicans and specifically the Tea Baggers are incapable of successful governing. You can't govern what you hate!
I'll post Christie's latest approval ratings along with the newly sworn in republicans as soon as they are made available. I guarantee you that their is voter's remorse already.
As I have eluded to since the beginning of President Obama's term. Campaign rhetoric is one thing, but governing is another. Today's republicans and specifically the Tea Baggers are incapable of successful governing. You can't govern what you hate!
Chris Christie: President Obama's just a 'bystander'
see my thread
http://www.bgol.us/board/showthread.php?p=10795842#post10795842
see my thread
http://www.bgol.us/board/showthread.php?p=10795842#post10795842
Re: Chris Christie: President Obama's just a 'bystander'
What a dumb ass!
source: Washington Monthly
The right blames Obama for GOP’s debt failure
As the super-committee implodes, the rush is on to assign blame. At this point, many Republicans and media figures want to point the finger at President Obama.
Indeed, the right seems quite invested in this line of attack, as if a memo went out to Republicans and allied pundits, encouraging them to all say the same thing at the same time. Judd Gregg and Robert Samuelson make the same lazy argument in print, and both pretend to have no knowledge of the massive debt-reduction plans Obama offered the GOP, which the conservative party rejected.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) even sketched out a crude conspiracy theory, telling ABC yesterday that the White House deliberately ensured the super-committee’s failure so the president could run against a “do-nothing Congress.”
Then there was Mitt Romney.
First, President Obama offered Republicans multiple debt-reduction plans, which called for concessions from both sides. GOP lawmakers rejected every offer. That’s not an example of the president “doing nothing”; it’s an example of the opposite.
Second, Obama can’t force Republicans to negotiate in good faith and he can’t compel the GOP to accept revenues the party refused to even consider. It’s not as if Republicans on the super-committee would somehow become more responsible because the president asked them to stop acting like children. Indeed, he’s asked that before, and it’s never worked.
And third, Obama kept his distance and allowed members of the debt panel to work on a deal on their own because Republicans asked the president to stay away.
Members of this committee were given a task: strike a deal. Democrats were willing to meet Republicans more than half way; Republicans weren’t willing to compromise. It’s only natural to wonder who’s to blame when there’s a breakdown like this, but holding the White House responsible is deeply foolish.
What a dumb ass!
source: Washington Monthly
The right blames Obama for GOP’s debt failure
As the super-committee implodes, the rush is on to assign blame. At this point, many Republicans and media figures want to point the finger at President Obama.
Indeed, the right seems quite invested in this line of attack, as if a memo went out to Republicans and allied pundits, encouraging them to all say the same thing at the same time. Judd Gregg and Robert Samuelson make the same lazy argument in print, and both pretend to have no knowledge of the massive debt-reduction plans Obama offered the GOP, which the conservative party rejected.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) even sketched out a crude conspiracy theory, telling ABC yesterday that the White House deliberately ensured the super-committee’s failure so the president could run against a “do-nothing Congress.”
Then there was Mitt Romney.
With the so-called supercommittee at an impasse ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, Mr. Romney blamed the president for the apparent failure of the bipartisan panel…. “He hasn’t had any role,” Mr. Romney told roughly 200 supporters outside the city hall building in Nashua…. “He’s done nothing.”
Let’s count the ways in which this fails to make any sense whatsoever.
First, President Obama offered Republicans multiple debt-reduction plans, which called for concessions from both sides. GOP lawmakers rejected every offer. That’s not an example of the president “doing nothing”; it’s an example of the opposite.
Second, Obama can’t force Republicans to negotiate in good faith and he can’t compel the GOP to accept revenues the party refused to even consider. It’s not as if Republicans on the super-committee would somehow become more responsible because the president asked them to stop acting like children. Indeed, he’s asked that before, and it’s never worked.
And third, Obama kept his distance and allowed members of the debt panel to work on a deal on their own because Republicans asked the president to stay away.
[A]nother committee member, Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, said on “Meet the Press” that President Obama and White House budget officials “were asked to be hands off.”
“The Republicans said, ‘Don’t let Obama come into this, because if he does, it will make it political,’ ” Mr. Kerry said, adding, “They’ve been intimately involved, but carefully so that they didn’t politicize it. I think they did the right thing.”
Republicans can’t urge Obama to keep his distance, and then blame him when he keeps his distance.“The Republicans said, ‘Don’t let Obama come into this, because if he does, it will make it political,’ ” Mr. Kerry said, adding, “They’ve been intimately involved, but carefully so that they didn’t politicize it. I think they did the right thing.”
Members of this committee were given a task: strike a deal. Democrats were willing to meet Republicans more than half way; Republicans weren’t willing to compromise. It’s only natural to wonder who’s to blame when there’s a breakdown like this, but holding the White House responsible is deeply foolish.
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Re: Chris Christie: President Obama's just a 'bystander'
So why didn't fat ass run when they asked him to?
He wanted to be a bystander ?
So why didn't fat ass run when they asked him to?
He wanted to be a bystander ?
'Damn, I'm governor, could you just shut up': Outrage as Chris Christie calls former
'Damn, I'm governor, could you just shut up': Outrage as Chris Christie calls former Navy SEAL an 'idiot'
see my thread on mainboard
http://www.bgol.us/board/showthread.php?p=11229610#post11229610
'Damn, I'm governor, could you just shut up': Outrage as Chris Christie calls former Navy SEAL an 'idiot'
see my thread on mainboard
http://www.bgol.us/board/showthread.php?p=11229610#post11229610
This his last public office he'll ever see.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie's trip to Israel fuels talk of presidential run Read more:
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie's trip to Israel fuels talk of presidential run
JERUSALEM - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie kicked off his first official overseas trip Monday, meeting Israel's leader in a visit that may boost the rising Republican star's foreign policy credentials ahead of November's presidential election.
Christie, 49, is mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate in 2012 and a possible presidential candidate in 2016. He has brushed aside repeated appeals from top Republican donors about entering this year's presidential race.
Christie's Israel visit could raise speculation that he is positioning himself for a future run, and his trip will be watched by Democrats and Republicans alike.
Israel is a popular stop for American politicians on the rise seeking to bolster their international credibility while also appealing to Jewish constituents.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, located in the disputed Old City of Jerusalem, Christie played down any political significance of his trip, calling it a chance for him and his family to see the country.
"Anything I do fuels speculation for a future bid," Christie told The Associated Press, wearing a yarmulke with his name embroidered on it. "I am here because this is a place of enormous significance in the world."
But even Christie's brief visit to the Western Wall highlighted his growing popularity. Tourists stopped to shake his hand and pose for pictures. The rabbi of the holy site gave him a personal tour, saying that politicians who visit tend to win elections. Christie held a six-month-old baby and posed for a picture.
Earlier, Christie met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The governor said the two had a "really good and fruitful discussion" about regional issues, including Iran's disputed nuclear program and expanding trade between Israel and New Jersey.
"There is much in common between Israel and New Jersey. Your territory and ours are similar, as are the number of residents, though it's possible that the residents of New Jersey have better neighbors," Netanyahu said.
There was "never any question about where we were coming first," Christie told Netanyahu at the start of their meeting. Later Monday, the two men were to have a private dinner with their wives.
He will travel to Jordan later this week for talks with King Abdullah II.
Christie endorsed Mitt Romney's bid for president in October, ending months of speculation over whether he would run. He hasn't said yet whether he'll seek re-election as governor next year, leaving the door open to a vice presidential bid. He is consistently rumored to be on Romney's short list.
Christie's trip, billed "Jersey to Jerusalem," is a trade and diplomacy mission, according to his office. The meeting with Netanyahu was the first in a series of talks with senior Israeli business and political leaders, including President Shimon Peres on Tuesday.
Christie's spokeswoman, Maria Comella, rejected suggestions that Christie was laying the groundwork for a run for national office, either this year or in 2016. She said it's "a common tradition for New Jersey governors to go to Israel" because of the state's economic links to Israel. She also noted New Jersey's cultural ties with Israel because of the state's large Jewish population.
Christie is traveling with his family and a delegation of 13 business and religious leaders. While in Israel, he plans to tour a pharmaceutical facility with an interest in expanding to the U.S., participate in a business round-table and visit a school.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/pol...sidential-run-article-1.1054835#ixzz1qzNhWlDd
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie's trip to Israel fuels talk of presidential run
JERUSALEM - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie kicked off his first official overseas trip Monday, meeting Israel's leader in a visit that may boost the rising Republican star's foreign policy credentials ahead of November's presidential election.
Christie, 49, is mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate in 2012 and a possible presidential candidate in 2016. He has brushed aside repeated appeals from top Republican donors about entering this year's presidential race.
Christie's Israel visit could raise speculation that he is positioning himself for a future run, and his trip will be watched by Democrats and Republicans alike.
Israel is a popular stop for American politicians on the rise seeking to bolster their international credibility while also appealing to Jewish constituents.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, located in the disputed Old City of Jerusalem, Christie played down any political significance of his trip, calling it a chance for him and his family to see the country.
"Anything I do fuels speculation for a future bid," Christie told The Associated Press, wearing a yarmulke with his name embroidered on it. "I am here because this is a place of enormous significance in the world."
But even Christie's brief visit to the Western Wall highlighted his growing popularity. Tourists stopped to shake his hand and pose for pictures. The rabbi of the holy site gave him a personal tour, saying that politicians who visit tend to win elections. Christie held a six-month-old baby and posed for a picture.
Earlier, Christie met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The governor said the two had a "really good and fruitful discussion" about regional issues, including Iran's disputed nuclear program and expanding trade between Israel and New Jersey.
"There is much in common between Israel and New Jersey. Your territory and ours are similar, as are the number of residents, though it's possible that the residents of New Jersey have better neighbors," Netanyahu said.
There was "never any question about where we were coming first," Christie told Netanyahu at the start of their meeting. Later Monday, the two men were to have a private dinner with their wives.
He will travel to Jordan later this week for talks with King Abdullah II.
Christie endorsed Mitt Romney's bid for president in October, ending months of speculation over whether he would run. He hasn't said yet whether he'll seek re-election as governor next year, leaving the door open to a vice presidential bid. He is consistently rumored to be on Romney's short list.
Christie's trip, billed "Jersey to Jerusalem," is a trade and diplomacy mission, according to his office. The meeting with Netanyahu was the first in a series of talks with senior Israeli business and political leaders, including President Shimon Peres on Tuesday.
Christie's spokeswoman, Maria Comella, rejected suggestions that Christie was laying the groundwork for a run for national office, either this year or in 2016. She said it's "a common tradition for New Jersey governors to go to Israel" because of the state's economic links to Israel. She also noted New Jersey's cultural ties with Israel because of the state's large Jewish population.
Christie is traveling with his family and a delegation of 13 business and religious leaders. While in Israel, he plans to tour a pharmaceutical facility with an interest in expanding to the U.S., participate in a business round-table and visit a school.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/pol...sidential-run-article-1.1054835#ixzz1qzNhWlDd
Governor Christie and Mayor Booker: Don't Worry, We've Got This
Governor Christie and Mayor Booker: Don't Worry, We've Got This
Governor Christie and Mayor Booker: Don't Worry, We've Got This
New Jersey Press Association Legislative Correspondents Club Show
Re: Governor Christie and Mayor Booker: Don't Worry, We've Got This
That was stupid
That was stupid
Re: Governor Christie and Mayor Booker: Don't Worry, We've Got This
Funny enough.
Funny enough.
Re: Governor Christie and Mayor Booker: Don't Worry, We've Got This
Chris Christie, NJ governor, wouldn’t be happy playing ‘second fiddle’ as Mitt Romney’s vice president: Poll
If he were to run on Romney's ticket, he wouldn't even be able to deliver his home state, according to the survey
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wouldn't be satisfied "playing second fiddle" as Mitt Romney's vice president, according to the state's voters.
The majority -52% -- said Christie wouldn't be happy serving second in command, compared to 36% who said he would, revealed a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday
"Gov. Christopher Christie is an in-the-spotlight soloist, in Trenton and on the national campaign trail," Maurice Carroll, director of the polling institute said in a press release.
"Would he be content to play second fiddle as vice president? New Jersey voters doubt it. They know their combative 'Jersey Guy' gov and they continue to give him high marks on the way he does his job," he added.
The bulk of Garden State voters-57%--said they approve of the way Christie is handling his job, just two points lower than his all-time high from last month.
The bad news for Christie -whose name has been floated as a possible Republican vice presidential candidate-is if he were to run, he wouldn't even be able to deliver his home state.
Those surveyed said they preferred President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden over a Romney-Christie ticket 50% to 42%.
New Jersey has gone to the Democratic nominee in the past five presidential elections.
"Color New Jersey blue," Carroll said. "President Barack Obama beats Gov. Mitt Romney and Christie's presence on the Republican ticket doesn't help Romney."
The poll was conducted from May 9 to May 14 with 1,582 registered voters surveyed. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2. 5 percentage points.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ele...resident-poll-article-1.1079083#ixzz1v2WAztQp
Chris Christie, NJ governor, wouldn’t be happy playing ‘second fiddle’ as Mitt Romney’s vice president: Poll
If he were to run on Romney's ticket, he wouldn't even be able to deliver his home state, according to the survey
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wouldn't be satisfied "playing second fiddle" as Mitt Romney's vice president, according to the state's voters.
The majority -52% -- said Christie wouldn't be happy serving second in command, compared to 36% who said he would, revealed a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday
"Gov. Christopher Christie is an in-the-spotlight soloist, in Trenton and on the national campaign trail," Maurice Carroll, director of the polling institute said in a press release.
"Would he be content to play second fiddle as vice president? New Jersey voters doubt it. They know their combative 'Jersey Guy' gov and they continue to give him high marks on the way he does his job," he added.
The bulk of Garden State voters-57%--said they approve of the way Christie is handling his job, just two points lower than his all-time high from last month.
The bad news for Christie -whose name has been floated as a possible Republican vice presidential candidate-is if he were to run, he wouldn't even be able to deliver his home state.
Those surveyed said they preferred President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden over a Romney-Christie ticket 50% to 42%.
New Jersey has gone to the Democratic nominee in the past five presidential elections.
"Color New Jersey blue," Carroll said. "President Barack Obama beats Gov. Mitt Romney and Christie's presence on the Republican ticket doesn't help Romney."
The poll was conducted from May 9 to May 14 with 1,582 registered voters surveyed. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2. 5 percentage points.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ele...resident-poll-article-1.1079083#ixzz1v2WAztQp
Re: Governor Christie and Mayor Booker: Don't Worry, We've Got This
Funny ! ! ! -- all it needs now is an instrumental from MC Hammer's 'Can't Touch This' running in the background every time Booker goes, I Got This !! LOL
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jGOM7uk5dQU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Funny ! ! ! -- all it needs now is an instrumental from MC Hammer's 'Can't Touch This' running in the background every time Booker goes, I Got This !! LOL
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jGOM7uk5dQU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Gov. Christie: Obama Deserves ‘Great Credit’ For Storm Response
source: TPM
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said that President Obama deserves "great credit" for his response to Hurricane Sandy, during an appearance on "CBS This Morning" Tuesday. He said he had spoken to the president three times, including when Obama called him at midnight.
"I can't thank the president enough for that," Christie said, referring to the major disaster declaration Obama signed for New Jersey, expediting federal aid to the state. "Cooperation from the president of the United States has been outstanding. He deserves great credit."
Christie said there are currently 2.4 million households in New Jersey without power.
source: TPM
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said that President Obama deserves "great credit" for his response to Hurricane Sandy, during an appearance on "CBS This Morning" Tuesday. He said he had spoken to the president three times, including when Obama called him at midnight.
"I can't thank the president enough for that," Christie said, referring to the major disaster declaration Obama signed for New Jersey, expediting federal aid to the state. "Cooperation from the president of the United States has been outstanding. He deserves great credit."
Christie said there are currently 2.4 million households in New Jersey without power.
Re: Gov. Christie: Obama Deserves ‘Great Credit’ For Storm Response
Why is Christie love-bombing President Obama
- the man he labeled clueless just last week?
In The ‘I’ of the Storm Maureen Dowd notes:
The dramatic homestretch ad for President Obama, running on every network and in all media markets, is a home run, devastating for Mitt Romney.
And, best of all, the president didn’t have to pay for it, or even say, “I approve this message.” It was a total gift — and from a Republican and top Romney surrogate.
As Romney roams the Midwest and Florida struggling to stay relevant, miming coordinating storm response with G.O.P. governors and collecting canned goods to send East, his fair-weather pal Christie failed to give Mittens any disaster relief.
On ABC, CBS and NBC, Christie hailed Obama as “outstanding.” On MSNBC, he said the president “has been all over this,” and on CNN, he called Obama “incredibly supportive.” The big guy even tweeted his thanks to the slender one.
Most astonishing of all, the New Jersey governor went on Fox News and spoke words rarely heard on that network: “I have to give the president great credit.”
“I spoke to the president three times yesterday,” Christie gushed. “He called me for the last time at midnight last night, asking what he could do.”
Christie also extolled FEMA, even though Romney has said it is “immoral” to spend money on federal disaster relief when the deficit is so big.
“Fox & Friends” co-host Steve Doocy must have forgotten Christie’s self-regarding keynote speech at Romney’s convention, which had more “I” than “he” in it. Doocy asked Christie if there was “any possibility that Governor Romney may go to New Jersey to tour some of the damage with you?” <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">The governor replied dismissively: “I have no idea, nor am I the least bit concerned or interested,” adding: “If you think right now I give a damn about presidential politics, then you don’t know me.”</span>
SOURCE: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/o...l=1&adxnnlx=1351766228-hOB268h0/LdhAZa9lRNFxw
`
Why is Christie love-bombing President Obama
- the man he labeled clueless just last week?
In The ‘I’ of the Storm Maureen Dowd notes:
The dramatic homestretch ad for President Obama, running on every network and in all media markets, is a home run, devastating for Mitt Romney.
And, best of all, the president didn’t have to pay for it, or even say, “I approve this message.” It was a total gift — and from a Republican and top Romney surrogate.
* * *
As Romney roams the Midwest and Florida struggling to stay relevant, miming coordinating storm response with G.O.P. governors and collecting canned goods to send East, his fair-weather pal Christie failed to give Mittens any disaster relief.
On ABC, CBS and NBC, Christie hailed Obama as “outstanding.” On MSNBC, he said the president “has been all over this,” and on CNN, he called Obama “incredibly supportive.” The big guy even tweeted his thanks to the slender one.
Most astonishing of all, the New Jersey governor went on Fox News and spoke words rarely heard on that network: “I have to give the president great credit.”
“I spoke to the president three times yesterday,” Christie gushed. “He called me for the last time at midnight last night, asking what he could do.”
Christie also extolled FEMA, even though Romney has said it is “immoral” to spend money on federal disaster relief when the deficit is so big.
“Fox & Friends” co-host Steve Doocy must have forgotten Christie’s self-regarding keynote speech at Romney’s convention, which had more “I” than “he” in it. Doocy asked Christie if there was “any possibility that Governor Romney may go to New Jersey to tour some of the damage with you?” <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">The governor replied dismissively: “I have no idea, nor am I the least bit concerned or interested,” adding: “If you think right now I give a damn about presidential politics, then you don’t know me.”</span>
White House officials seemed a bit flummoxed by Christie’s bearhug. “It’s unnerving,” one laughed, noting how odd it is that a Romney big gun might help break the stubborn tie in the electorate in Obama’s favor.
They speculate that: Christie, who always puts Christie first, has decided that it’s better for his presidential ambitions to be a maverick blue-state governor with a Democratic chief executive exiting in 2016 than to have President Romney and Tea-Party Republicans in Congress pulling him over to the extreme right for the next eight years. He also knows he’ll need a boatload of federal cash to make his state whole again.
They speculate that: Christie, who always puts Christie first, has decided that it’s better for his presidential ambitions to be a maverick blue-state governor with a Democratic chief executive exiting in 2016 than to have President Romney and Tea-Party Republicans in Congress pulling him over to the extreme right for the next eight years. He also knows he’ll need a boatload of federal cash to make his state whole again.
SOURCE: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/o...l=1&adxnnlx=1351766228-hOB268h0/LdhAZa9lRNFxw
`
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was surprised by GOP backlash for praising Obama after Hurri
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was surprised by GOP backlash for praising Obama after Hurricane Sandy crisis
Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was startled to hear from Mitt Romney’s surrogates, demanding to know why he had appeared so close with Obama when they toured the hurricane damage together.
President Obama was greeted by N.J. Gov. Chris Christie upon his arrival in Atlantic City to tour the state's hurricane damage.
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was surprised and wounded by the Republican backlash to his fervent praise of President Obama in the days after Hurricane Sandy, a new report says.
The New York Times reported that Christie was startled to hear from Mitt Romney’s surrogates, demanding to know why he had appeared so close with Obama when they toured the hurricane damage together.
The report noted that people close to Christie say he did not hear from Romney in the days immediately following the storm.
At a Republican Governors Association in Las Vegas last week, a fellow Republican put Christie on the defensive in a hallway at the Wynn Resort.
“I will not apologize for doing my job,” Christie said, according to The Times.
The report also said that many top donors to the Romney campaign are “furious” with the New Jersey governor.
Other Republicans, however, are more understanding.
In one exchange reported by The Times, North Carolina Gov.-Elect Pat McCrory told Christie that people have been asking him, “Why you were so nice to the President?”
“I tell them you are doing your job,” he said.
“That’s right,” Christie said and patted him on the back.
klee@nydailynews.com
Watch Christie's defense in this video
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was surprised by GOP backlash for praising Obama after Hurricane Sandy crisis
Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was startled to hear from Mitt Romney’s surrogates, demanding to know why he had appeared so close with Obama when they toured the hurricane damage together.
President Obama was greeted by N.J. Gov. Chris Christie upon his arrival in Atlantic City to tour the state's hurricane damage.
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was surprised and wounded by the Republican backlash to his fervent praise of President Obama in the days after Hurricane Sandy, a new report says.
The New York Times reported that Christie was startled to hear from Mitt Romney’s surrogates, demanding to know why he had appeared so close with Obama when they toured the hurricane damage together.
The report noted that people close to Christie say he did not hear from Romney in the days immediately following the storm.
At a Republican Governors Association in Las Vegas last week, a fellow Republican put Christie on the defensive in a hallway at the Wynn Resort.
“I will not apologize for doing my job,” Christie said, according to The Times.
The report also said that many top donors to the Romney campaign are “furious” with the New Jersey governor.
Other Republicans, however, are more understanding.
In one exchange reported by The Times, North Carolina Gov.-Elect Pat McCrory told Christie that people have been asking him, “Why you were so nice to the President?”
“I tell them you are doing your job,” he said.
“That’s right,” Christie said and patted him on the back.
klee@nydailynews.com
Watch Christie's defense in this video
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Re: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was surprised by GOP backlash for praising Obama after H
Re: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was surprised by GOP backlash for praising Obama after H
Glenn Beck vs. Chris Christie
Glenn Beck says he doesn't like New Jersey governor Chris Christie.
Joe Scarborough asks: Why should he?
Christie, after all, has done nothing conservative since his surprising win over Democrat Jon Corzine four years ago -- nothing other than declaring war against the most extreme government union bosses, fighting for education reform across the Garden State, spending less in this year's FY13 budget than Corzine spent in actual dollars in FY08, reforming and keeping afloat the state's dying public pension and health benefit programs by eliminating COLA's, increasing employee contributions, raising the retirement age while saving the moribund system $120 billion over 30 years.
Why would Glenn Beck or the other right-wing talkers be impressed with a guy like Chris Christie? Hell, he only cut business taxes by $2.6 billion and created 100,000 new jobs over two years in his one state. Oh, yeah. He is also the first pro-life governor to serve in New Jersey since Roe v. Wade passed in 1973.
Why would any member of the Conservative Entertainment Complex want anything to do with a RINO who carries around that kind of conservative record in a blue state that hasn't gone Republican in a presidential contest in 25 years?
Why would Republicans support a guy who beat the unions, beat the Democratic legislature, beat the education establishment, did the things that Republicans are afraid to do in Washington, remain true to his conservative Catholic convictions and still hold a 74 percent approval rating in today's Quinnipiac poll that also gives him a 71 percent reelect rating, has the Republican governor ahead with independents 68-18 and leading with women 54-31?
Glenn Beck must be infuriated. Why, this Chris Christie character has created a new kind of gender gap in this Democratic state that has him actually winning the female vote by 23 percent. Numbers like that have to enrage talkers like Glenn Beck, who have spent most of their adult lives working to make women voters run AWAY from the Republican Party faster than you can say "government-sanctioned vaginal probe."
Why would Glenn Beck or any self-described conservative like Chris Christie?
p o l i t i c o
Glenn Beck vs. Chris Christie
Glenn Beck says he doesn't like New Jersey governor Chris Christie.
Joe Scarborough asks: Why should he?
Christie, after all, has done nothing conservative since his surprising win over Democrat Jon Corzine four years ago -- nothing other than declaring war against the most extreme government union bosses, fighting for education reform across the Garden State, spending less in this year's FY13 budget than Corzine spent in actual dollars in FY08, reforming and keeping afloat the state's dying public pension and health benefit programs by eliminating COLA's, increasing employee contributions, raising the retirement age while saving the moribund system $120 billion over 30 years.
Why would Glenn Beck or the other right-wing talkers be impressed with a guy like Chris Christie? Hell, he only cut business taxes by $2.6 billion and created 100,000 new jobs over two years in his one state. Oh, yeah. He is also the first pro-life governor to serve in New Jersey since Roe v. Wade passed in 1973.
Why would any member of the Conservative Entertainment Complex want anything to do with a RINO who carries around that kind of conservative record in a blue state that hasn't gone Republican in a presidential contest in 25 years?
Why would Republicans support a guy who beat the unions, beat the Democratic legislature, beat the education establishment, did the things that Republicans are afraid to do in Washington, remain true to his conservative Catholic convictions and still hold a 74 percent approval rating in today's Quinnipiac poll that also gives him a 71 percent reelect rating, has the Republican governor ahead with independents 68-18 and leading with women 54-31?
Glenn Beck must be infuriated. Why, this Chris Christie character has created a new kind of gender gap in this Democratic state that has him actually winning the female vote by 23 percent. Numbers like that have to enrage talkers like Glenn Beck, who have spent most of their adult lives working to make women voters run AWAY from the Republican Party faster than you can say "government-sanctioned vaginal probe."
Why would Glenn Beck or any self-described conservative like Chris Christie?
p o l i t i c o
Christie would top Cuomo in White House race: poll
Christie would top Cuomo in White House race: poll
ALBANY - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie would clobber Gov. Cuomo in a race for the White House, a new national poll found.
The Jersey boy trounces the Queens native in a battle of the Hudson, 45-28 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University survey released today.
Republican Christie would also edge Vice President Joe Biden 43-40.
But before Christie tries throwing his political weight around nationally, he'd lose to former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton 45-37, the Feb. 27-March 4 telephone survey of 1,944 registered voters found.
Clinton - on the strength of her appeal to independent voters - would also best US Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) 50-34 and 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan 50-38.
AP
NJ Gov. Chris Christie
“Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would start a 2016 presidential campaign with enormous advantages,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “She obviously is by far the best known and her more than 20 years in the public spotlight allows her to create a very favorable impression on the American people. But it is worth noting that she had very good poll numbers in 2006 looking toward the 2008 election, before she faced a relative unknown in Barack Obama.”
Democrat Cuomo and Rubio are locked in a 37-37 tie - and Cuomo would lose to Rep. Ryan, of Wisconsin, 42-37.
On the heels of Cuomo signing the nation's toughest gun control laws in January, about a month after the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn., the poll found strong support (88-10) for background checks for all gun buyers - including 85-13 percent among voters in households with guns.
Support was narrower for nationwide bans on the sale of assault weapons (54-41) and the sale of ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds (54-42).
Voters gave poor marks to the job both parties are doing in Congress, though Democrats (32-60) fared better than Republicans (20-71).
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.
Christie would top Cuomo in White House race: poll
ALBANY - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie would clobber Gov. Cuomo in a race for the White House, a new national poll found.
The Jersey boy trounces the Queens native in a battle of the Hudson, 45-28 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University survey released today.
Republican Christie would also edge Vice President Joe Biden 43-40.
But before Christie tries throwing his political weight around nationally, he'd lose to former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton 45-37, the Feb. 27-March 4 telephone survey of 1,944 registered voters found.
Clinton - on the strength of her appeal to independent voters - would also best US Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) 50-34 and 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan 50-38.
AP
NJ Gov. Chris Christie
“Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would start a 2016 presidential campaign with enormous advantages,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “She obviously is by far the best known and her more than 20 years in the public spotlight allows her to create a very favorable impression on the American people. But it is worth noting that she had very good poll numbers in 2006 looking toward the 2008 election, before she faced a relative unknown in Barack Obama.”
Democrat Cuomo and Rubio are locked in a 37-37 tie - and Cuomo would lose to Rep. Ryan, of Wisconsin, 42-37.
On the heels of Cuomo signing the nation's toughest gun control laws in January, about a month after the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn., the poll found strong support (88-10) for background checks for all gun buyers - including 85-13 percent among voters in households with guns.
Support was narrower for nationwide bans on the sale of assault weapons (54-41) and the sale of ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds (54-42).
Voters gave poor marks to the job both parties are doing in Congress, though Democrats (32-60) fared better than Republicans (20-71).
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.
Re: Christie would top Cuomo in White House race: poll
Come back in 3 yrs. This is meaningless.
Come back in 3 yrs. This is meaningless.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie more popular with Democrats than Republicans: poll Re
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie more popular with Democrats than Republicans: poll
Christie had a favorable rating of 54% among Democrats but a 53% favorable rating among Republicans, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday. The results were within the survey’s margin of error but speak to his popularity across both parties.
New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie is more popular among Democrats than he is with members of his own party, a shocking new poll reveals.
Christie had a favorable rating of 54% among Democrats and “Democratic-leaning independents” but a 53% favorable rating among Republicans and “Republican-leaning independents,” according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday.
RELATED: CHRIS CHRISTIE ATTENDS CLINTON SUMMIT
The results were within the survey’s margin of error but nevertheless speak to Christie’s popularity across both major political parties.
Among Republicans only, however, Christie came in a mere fourth among possible 2016 presidential candidates.
RELATED: OBAMA REUNITES WITH CHRISTIE IN RETURN TOUR TO JERSEY SHORE
Christie trailed Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, who had a 69% favorable rating; Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who had a 58% favorable rating; and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who had a 56% favorable rating.
The results, based on surveys conducted June 1-4, suggest an interesting potential matchup for the 2016 Republican nomination.
RELATED: NEW JERSEY GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE 'SLOW JAMS THE NEWS' WITH JIMMY FALLON
“Ryan's high favorability among Republicans but lower favorability among the general public would position him to do well in the Republican primaries, but perhaps make him a less formidable general election candidate,” Gallup pollster Jeffrey Jones said in a release.
“Christie, on the other hand, would appear to be a stronger general election than Republican primary candidate, given his lower favorability among Republicans but higher favorability among Democrats and Americans more generally,” Jones added.
Christie, currently campaigning for a second term as New Jersey governor, said Tuesday that he plans to put off making a decision about running for President until 2015.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/pol...ublicans-poll-article-1.1375781#ixzz2WgBsLfjI
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie more popular with Democrats than Republicans: poll
Christie had a favorable rating of 54% among Democrats but a 53% favorable rating among Republicans, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday. The results were within the survey’s margin of error but speak to his popularity across both parties.
New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie is more popular among Democrats than he is with members of his own party, a shocking new poll reveals.
Christie had a favorable rating of 54% among Democrats and “Democratic-leaning independents” but a 53% favorable rating among Republicans and “Republican-leaning independents,” according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday.
RELATED: CHRIS CHRISTIE ATTENDS CLINTON SUMMIT
The results were within the survey’s margin of error but nevertheless speak to Christie’s popularity across both major political parties.
Among Republicans only, however, Christie came in a mere fourth among possible 2016 presidential candidates.
RELATED: OBAMA REUNITES WITH CHRISTIE IN RETURN TOUR TO JERSEY SHORE
Christie trailed Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, who had a 69% favorable rating; Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who had a 58% favorable rating; and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who had a 56% favorable rating.
The results, based on surveys conducted June 1-4, suggest an interesting potential matchup for the 2016 Republican nomination.
RELATED: NEW JERSEY GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE 'SLOW JAMS THE NEWS' WITH JIMMY FALLON
“Ryan's high favorability among Republicans but lower favorability among the general public would position him to do well in the Republican primaries, but perhaps make him a less formidable general election candidate,” Gallup pollster Jeffrey Jones said in a release.
“Christie, on the other hand, would appear to be a stronger general election than Republican primary candidate, given his lower favorability among Republicans but higher favorability among Democrats and Americans more generally,” Jones added.
Christie, currently campaigning for a second term as New Jersey governor, said Tuesday that he plans to put off making a decision about running for President until 2015.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/pol...ublicans-poll-article-1.1375781#ixzz2WgBsLfjI
Re: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie more popular with Democrats than Republicans: poll
SOURCE
Shaquille Endorses Chris Christie
The NBA star backs the New Jersey governor
and shows that the GOP can woo blacks
and shows that the GOP can woo blacks
(The Root) -- While there are some celebrities known for their political activism (think Kerry Washington), Shaquille O'Neal is not one of them, which is why it surprised many when the famed NBA star waded into a political campaign. In a television advertisement O'Neal endorsed New Jersey governor Chris Christie for re-election. Making the endorsement noteworthy beyond the fact that "Shaq," as he's called, is not known for his activism is the fact that Christie is a Republican.
Though black Republicans have largely been a statistical rarity since the civil rights movement, in the Obama era they have been practically invisible. While Republican president George W. Bush garnered 11 percent of the black vote in 2004, Sen. John McCain, the 2008 nominee, garnered just 4 percent to President Obama's 95 percent. Gov. Mitt Romney fared slightly better, capturing 8 percent of the black vote, while President Obama won 91 percent. While the Newark, N.J., native O'Neal has not declared himself a Republican, his support for Christie, the governor of his home state, is further proof that some African Americans are open to supporting non-Democratic candidates under the right circumstances.
As I noted in my 2008 book Party Crashing, polling conducted with the Suffolk University Research Center found that 35 percent of black voters ages 18 to 24 identified as <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">independent</span>. While many of those voters supported President Obama, that <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">doesn't mean they will be Democratic loyalists for life</span>, which could spell real trouble for the Democratic Party. Furthermore, part of Gov. Romney's ability to improve performance with black voters over John McCain's previous showing may be attributed at least in part to black men. According to the Pew Research Center's analysis of voting records, "Surprisingly, Obama's vote also declined among young black men, by 14 points, while holding steady among young black women."
Though why the president experienced a double-digit decline in support among black males has not been fully explored, one plausible theory is that black men have been hardest hit by the economic downturn. As the last hired and first fired, they have been the ones bearing the brunt of our nation's slow recovery. Even as the rest of the country has begun to rebound, the unemployment numbers among black men have remained in the double digits throughout much of the first black president's tenure. While no one blames President Obama for the economic collapse, which began before he took office, there are many (myself included) who believe that his administration's sensitivity to the race-baiting of some of his conservative critics has prevented him from being more aggressive in addressing the economic needs of the black community.
It seems that this is an issue that resonates with O'Neal. In his television advertisement endorsing Gov. Christie, he says, "He's working with me to bring jobs back to this city."
Democrats should be on high alert. Christie is being touted as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. He will make a formidable opponent for whomever the Democratic nominee is, even for the black vote and even if his opponent is named Clinton. As previously covered on The Root, recent polls show Christie currently with the support of 36 percent of black voters. Who knows if the Shaq attack on TV will be able to nudge those numbers even higher.
Though black Republicans have largely been a statistical rarity since the civil rights movement, in the Obama era they have been practically invisible. While Republican president George W. Bush garnered 11 percent of the black vote in 2004, Sen. John McCain, the 2008 nominee, garnered just 4 percent to President Obama's 95 percent. Gov. Mitt Romney fared slightly better, capturing 8 percent of the black vote, while President Obama won 91 percent. While the Newark, N.J., native O'Neal has not declared himself a Republican, his support for Christie, the governor of his home state, is further proof that some African Americans are open to supporting non-Democratic candidates under the right circumstances.
As I noted in my 2008 book Party Crashing, polling conducted with the Suffolk University Research Center found that 35 percent of black voters ages 18 to 24 identified as <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">independent</span>. While many of those voters supported President Obama, that <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">doesn't mean they will be Democratic loyalists for life</span>, which could spell real trouble for the Democratic Party. Furthermore, part of Gov. Romney's ability to improve performance with black voters over John McCain's previous showing may be attributed at least in part to black men. According to the Pew Research Center's analysis of voting records, "Surprisingly, Obama's vote also declined among young black men, by 14 points, while holding steady among young black women."
Though why the president experienced a double-digit decline in support among black males has not been fully explored, one plausible theory is that black men have been hardest hit by the economic downturn. As the last hired and first fired, they have been the ones bearing the brunt of our nation's slow recovery. Even as the rest of the country has begun to rebound, the unemployment numbers among black men have remained in the double digits throughout much of the first black president's tenure. While no one blames President Obama for the economic collapse, which began before he took office, there are many (myself included) who believe that his administration's sensitivity to the race-baiting of some of his conservative critics has prevented him from being more aggressive in addressing the economic needs of the black community.
It seems that this is an issue that resonates with O'Neal. In his television advertisement endorsing Gov. Christie, he says, "He's working with me to bring jobs back to this city."
Democrats should be on high alert. Christie is being touted as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. He will make a formidable opponent for whomever the Democratic nominee is, even for the black vote and even if his opponent is named Clinton. As previously covered on The Root, recent polls show Christie currently with the support of 36 percent of black voters. Who knows if the Shaq attack on TV will be able to nudge those numbers even higher.
SOURCE
<iframe src="http://www.politifact.com/new-jersey/statements/2013/feb/14/john-wisniewski/chris-christie-vetoed-bills-raise-minimum-wage-and/" width=800 height=1000></iframe>
source: NJ.com
April 10, 2012 at 9:54 PM, updated April 11, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Congressional investigators question why Gov. Christie canceled Hudson River rail tunnel
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie had a simple, strident explanation when he scrapped plans for a new train tunnel to Manhattan: The $8.7 billion price tag kept growing and growing, and New Jersey alone was on the hook for all additional costs.
A yearlong investigation by a nonpartisan congressional agency has come to a different conclusion, reigniting the battle over Christie’s decision to kill the project in 2010
In a report released today, the Government Accountability Office said cost estimates of roughly $9 billion to $12.4 billion were being used by state and federal transit officials as early as 2008 — before Christie took office. The lower estimate varied in following years, but in October 2010, when Christie announced his decision to scrap the tunnel, the higher estimate was still $12.4 billion.
The GAO also said there was no way to determine who would get the bill for cost overruns. Negotiations between New Jersey, the Port Authority and the federal government never got that far, and a final contract was never signed for the tunnel, known as ARC for Access to the Region’s Core.
Christie fired back immediately.
"The federal government was wrong before; they’re wrong again," he told reporters after making a speech in New York.
The figures in the GAO report are not new. Critics including Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood have cited them before to challenge Christie’s decision.
But the Obama administration and Trenton Democrats said the GAO’s report was the last word on the matter, and that the agency’s findings proved Christie misled the public when he pulled out of the ARC project. The GAO is an independent investigative body famous for exposing cost overruns on government projects and wasteful spending.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a longtime advocate of the ARC tunnel who commissioned the GAO report, said Christie sacrificed the largest public-works project in America to burnish his conservative credentials.
"This was the most important transportation project of our time," Lautenberg said in a statement. "Governor Christie wiped it out with a campaign of public deception."
A spokesman for the U.S. Transportation Department, Justin Nisly, said the ARC tunnel would have eased traffic congestion, lowered carbon emissions and spurred economic growth in the region.
"This GAO report sets the record straight on last year’s debate over ARC," Nisly said. "It’s disappointing that the project was canceled before these facts got the attention they deserved."
The congressional auditors, however, said it was hard to determine whether Christie’s decision hurt the local economy.
"Even though the project was canceled, all of the anticipated economic activity was not necessarily lost," the report said. "Funds that New Jersey planned to allocate to the ARC project were reallocated to the state’s highway trust fund, which would then support economic activity related to highway projects."
A spokesman for the governor, Michael Drewniak, said the report failed to consider the added $775 million cost of the Portal Bridge, which had to be built alongside the ARC tunnel. "Without the new bridge, the trains would fall into the river," he said.
He added that New Jersey would have been liable for cost overruns "no matter how you look at it."
"The feds offered no significant increase in outright funding," Drewniak said. LaHood had offered more loans, which Christie refused, and lined up a slate of private companies that would join the project and shoulder some of the extra costs. Christie refused that, too, Drewniak said, because it "would have taken years to develop and still required a significant payout from New Jersey."
Trenton Democrats seized on the GAO report, chastising Christie for diverting funds meant for the ARC tunnel into the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, which mostly covers road maintenance. They say he did this to avoid having to raise the state gas tax.
"It was the kind of move that fuels cynicism in government," said Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the state Democratic Party. "This was at the beginning of his administration. He was still creating the Christie legend about being this uber-conservative who was going to stand up and make tough decisions."
The GAO report, first obtained by the New York Times, says New Jersey would have paid roughly 14 percent of the total ARC tunnel costs. But Christie contends the state would have forked over roughly 70 percent by figuring in the Port Authority’s share and the assumption that New Jersey would have to finance all unexpected costs on its own.
The GAO made no recommendations in its report, but stated that the two existing rail tunnels under the Hudson River, both more than 100 years old, "cannot meet the access and mobility demands of the future, given the projected growth in the region."
Alternate projects, including an extension of the New York City subway into New Jersey and increased Amtrak capacity, would only come after many years. Wisniewski said Christie should reconsider his decision and give the ARC tunnel another chance.
"The ARC project is still dead, and it’s not coming back," Drewniak said.
April 10, 2012 at 9:54 PM, updated April 11, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Congressional investigators question why Gov. Christie canceled Hudson River rail tunnel
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie had a simple, strident explanation when he scrapped plans for a new train tunnel to Manhattan: The $8.7 billion price tag kept growing and growing, and New Jersey alone was on the hook for all additional costs.
A yearlong investigation by a nonpartisan congressional agency has come to a different conclusion, reigniting the battle over Christie’s decision to kill the project in 2010
In a report released today, the Government Accountability Office said cost estimates of roughly $9 billion to $12.4 billion were being used by state and federal transit officials as early as 2008 — before Christie took office. The lower estimate varied in following years, but in October 2010, when Christie announced his decision to scrap the tunnel, the higher estimate was still $12.4 billion.
The GAO also said there was no way to determine who would get the bill for cost overruns. Negotiations between New Jersey, the Port Authority and the federal government never got that far, and a final contract was never signed for the tunnel, known as ARC for Access to the Region’s Core.
Christie fired back immediately.
"The federal government was wrong before; they’re wrong again," he told reporters after making a speech in New York.
The figures in the GAO report are not new. Critics including Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood have cited them before to challenge Christie’s decision.
But the Obama administration and Trenton Democrats said the GAO’s report was the last word on the matter, and that the agency’s findings proved Christie misled the public when he pulled out of the ARC project. The GAO is an independent investigative body famous for exposing cost overruns on government projects and wasteful spending.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a longtime advocate of the ARC tunnel who commissioned the GAO report, said Christie sacrificed the largest public-works project in America to burnish his conservative credentials.
"This was the most important transportation project of our time," Lautenberg said in a statement. "Governor Christie wiped it out with a campaign of public deception."
A spokesman for the U.S. Transportation Department, Justin Nisly, said the ARC tunnel would have eased traffic congestion, lowered carbon emissions and spurred economic growth in the region.
"This GAO report sets the record straight on last year’s debate over ARC," Nisly said. "It’s disappointing that the project was canceled before these facts got the attention they deserved."
The congressional auditors, however, said it was hard to determine whether Christie’s decision hurt the local economy.
"Even though the project was canceled, all of the anticipated economic activity was not necessarily lost," the report said. "Funds that New Jersey planned to allocate to the ARC project were reallocated to the state’s highway trust fund, which would then support economic activity related to highway projects."
A spokesman for the governor, Michael Drewniak, said the report failed to consider the added $775 million cost of the Portal Bridge, which had to be built alongside the ARC tunnel. "Without the new bridge, the trains would fall into the river," he said.
He added that New Jersey would have been liable for cost overruns "no matter how you look at it."
"The feds offered no significant increase in outright funding," Drewniak said. LaHood had offered more loans, which Christie refused, and lined up a slate of private companies that would join the project and shoulder some of the extra costs. Christie refused that, too, Drewniak said, because it "would have taken years to develop and still required a significant payout from New Jersey."
Trenton Democrats seized on the GAO report, chastising Christie for diverting funds meant for the ARC tunnel into the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, which mostly covers road maintenance. They say he did this to avoid having to raise the state gas tax.
"It was the kind of move that fuels cynicism in government," said Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the state Democratic Party. "This was at the beginning of his administration. He was still creating the Christie legend about being this uber-conservative who was going to stand up and make tough decisions."
The GAO report, first obtained by the New York Times, says New Jersey would have paid roughly 14 percent of the total ARC tunnel costs. But Christie contends the state would have forked over roughly 70 percent by figuring in the Port Authority’s share and the assumption that New Jersey would have to finance all unexpected costs on its own.
The GAO made no recommendations in its report, but stated that the two existing rail tunnels under the Hudson River, both more than 100 years old, "cannot meet the access and mobility demands of the future, given the projected growth in the region."
Alternate projects, including an extension of the New York City subway into New Jersey and increased Amtrak capacity, would only come after many years. Wisniewski said Christie should reconsider his decision and give the ARC tunnel another chance.
"The ARC project is still dead, and it’s not coming back," Drewniak said.
Re: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie more popular with Democrats than Republicans: poll
Shaquille Endorses Chris Christie
The NBA star backs the New Jersey governor
and shows that the GOP can woo blacks
(The Root) -- While there are some celebrities known for their political activism (think Kerry Washington), Shaquille O'Neal is not one of them, which is why it surprised many when the famed NBA star waded into a political campaign. In a television advertisement O'Neal endorsed New Jersey governor Chris Christie for re-election. Making the endorsement noteworthy beyond the fact that "Shaq," as he's called, is not known for his activism is the fact that Christie is a Republican.
SOURCEThough black Republicans have largely been a statistical rarity since the civil rights movement, in the Obama era they have been practically invisible. While Republican president George W. Bush garnered 11 percent of the black vote in 2004, Sen. John McCain, the 2008 nominee, garnered just 4 percent to President Obama's 95 percent. Gov. Mitt Romney fared slightly better, capturing 8 percent of the black vote, while President Obama won 91 percent. While the Newark, N.J., native O'Neal has not declared himself a Republican, his support for Christie, the governor of his home state, is further proof that some African Americans are open to supporting non-Democratic candidates under the right circumstances.
As I noted in my 2008 book Party Crashing, polling conducted with the Suffolk University Research Center found that 35 percent of black voters ages 18 to 24 identified as independent. While many of those voters supported President Obama, that doesn't mean they will be Democratic loyalists for life, which could spell real trouble for the Democratic Party. Furthermore, part of Gov. Romney's ability to improve performance with black voters over John McCain's previous showing may be attributed at least in part to black men. According to the Pew Research Center's analysis of voting records, "Surprisingly, Obama's vote also declined among young black men, by 14 points, while holding steady among young black women."
Though why the president experienced a double-digit decline in support among black males has not been fully explored, one plausible theory is that black men have been hardest hit by the economic downturn. As the last hired and first fired, they have been the ones bearing the brunt of our nation's slow recovery. Even as the rest of the country has begun to rebound, the unemployment numbers among black men have remained in the double digits throughout much of the first black president's tenure. While no one blames President Obama for the economic collapse, which began before he took office, there are many (myself included) who believe that his administration's sensitivity to the race-baiting of some of his conservative critics has prevented him from being more aggressive in addressing the economic needs of the black community.
It seems that this is an issue that resonates with O'Neal. In his television advertisement endorsing Gov. Christie, he says, "He's working with me to bring jobs back to this city."
Democrats should be on high alert. Christie is being touted as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. He will make a formidable opponent for whomever the Democratic nominee is, even for the black vote and even if his opponent is named Clinton. As previously covered on The Root, recent polls show Christie currently with the support of 36 percent of black voters. Who knows if the Shaq attack on TV will be able to nudge those numbers even higher.
Re: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was surprised by GOP backlash for praising Obama after H
NJ is the eighth worse ranked state in the union, in regards to unemployment. A few months ago, it was the fourth worse state in the union.
http://money.cnn.com/interactive/economy/state-unemployment-rates/
"The state’s most recent report said that as of June 2009, the pension funds should have had assets of $112 billion to meet their future obligations, but had only $66 billion — one of the largest shortfalls, known as unfunded liability, in the country. The situation is probably worse today: The state is supposed to contribute about $3 billion a year to the funds, but amid huge budget deficits and spending cuts, it is in the second consecutive year of contributing nothing."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/nyregion/20jersey.html?_r=0
Him keeping afloat the state's dying public pension and health benefit programs would be funny if it weren't so pathetic. The only reason it's afloat is because he's not making the payments to the pension system for money that then Gov. Whitman borrowed TWICE, in the late 90's, to balance her budget. Christie has basically said that I'm not going to pay shit. Imagine what we could all do if we didn't have to pay our bills.
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/24/n...s-to-cover-pension.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
His rhetoric on teaching and unions, his "Cold War" is directly attributable to his plan to push charter schools as the future model for schools (becoming a "right to work" state). The hold up in Jersey is the the data shows that charter schools don't outperform public schools...and this is with them having the advantage of being able to select who they want...have families concerned about the education of their child...and being able to throw an undesirable child out to go back to his/her public school, yet still keep the money appropriated for that child.
QueEx said:
NJ is the eighth worse ranked state in the union, in regards to unemployment. A few months ago, it was the fourth worse state in the union.
http://money.cnn.com/interactive/economy/state-unemployment-rates/
"The state’s most recent report said that as of June 2009, the pension funds should have had assets of $112 billion to meet their future obligations, but had only $66 billion — one of the largest shortfalls, known as unfunded liability, in the country. The situation is probably worse today: The state is supposed to contribute about $3 billion a year to the funds, but amid huge budget deficits and spending cuts, it is in the second consecutive year of contributing nothing."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/nyregion/20jersey.html?_r=0
Him keeping afloat the state's dying public pension and health benefit programs would be funny if it weren't so pathetic. The only reason it's afloat is because he's not making the payments to the pension system for money that then Gov. Whitman borrowed TWICE, in the late 90's, to balance her budget. Christie has basically said that I'm not going to pay shit. Imagine what we could all do if we didn't have to pay our bills.
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/24/n...s-to-cover-pension.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
His rhetoric on teaching and unions, his "Cold War" is directly attributable to his plan to push charter schools as the future model for schools (becoming a "right to work" state). The hold up in Jersey is the the data shows that charter schools don't outperform public schools...and this is with them having the advantage of being able to select who they want...have families concerned about the education of their child...and being able to throw an undesirable child out to go back to his/her public school, yet still keep the money appropriated for that child.
Chris Christie is just another slave-bitch owned by the Koch brothers. He joins the other slave-bitches such as Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Gov. Rick Scott of Florida, Gov. Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas. These slave-bitches join their Federal counterparts which include Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, John Cornyn, and others who have all pledged their allegiance and obedience to the Koch Brothers.
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......"In his introduction, David Koch lauded Christie as a 'true political hero.'" Koch said, "Five months ago we met in my New York City office and spoke, just the two of us, for about two hours on his objectives and successes in correcting many of the most serious problems of the New Jersey state government. ... At the end of our conversation, I said to myself, 'I'm really impressed and inspired by this man. He is my kind of guy.'" Christie's speech said that the time had now come to tackle "Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security systems, because they are bankrupting America." He bragged that he had ended collective bargaining for employees of the state's government. He bragged that he had impounded money for local school districts, hospitals, state and community colleges, and the commuter-rail system, and had added $150 million in aid for the wealthiest towns in the state. "[The Democrats] were gonna raise what, in New Jersey, we call 'the Millionaires' Tax. ... But the New Jersey 'Millionaires' Tax' applies to anyone, individual or business, who makes over $400,000 a year. That's called New Jersey math [laughter]. And what's great, I say to people all over the country: 'If you're not a millionaire but want to feel like one [more laughter], come to New Jersey! We'll tax you like a millionaire even if you're not one!" Though a person who makes $400,000 per year can safely be assumed to be a multi-millionaire, Christie's audience were apparently delighted to deceive themselves to believe that blocking a tax on such people and cutting government services to the public were patriotic and public-spirited; so, Christie received a standing ovation from these mobsters - the kinds of people who were heros (like "John Galt") to the followers of Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman, Ronald Reagan, and other such intellectual thugs.......
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<b>Read the entire article the above is excerpted from:</b></font>
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Chris Christie-ordered probe finds governor didn't know about Bridgegate: report
According to The New York Times, the internal review, ordered by the embattled leader and conducted by a law firm with 'close ties' to his administration, found that Gov. Christie was not 'involved in the plotting or directing' of the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge last September that caused devastating traffic for thousands of commuters.
Big surprise!
Chris Christie's own investigation into the Bridgegate scandal that has rocked his office found the embattled New Jersey governor had no knowledge his top aides were orchestrating the catastrophic traffic jam, a new report claims.
An elite law firm hired in January by Christie himself to investigate how and why several traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge were closed last September did not find any evidence the governor was "involved in the plotting or directing of the lane closings," The New York Times reported Monday, citing people familiar with the inquiry.
The review, conducted by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, which The Times reported has "close ties" to the Christie administration, included at least 70 interviews with staffers and cost more than $1 million — a fee that will be paid by New Jersey taxpayers.
Christie reportedly hired the firm so he could rely on his own internal review to parallel other outside investigations into his office. Those outside investigations — including ones being run by the New Jersey Legislature and the U.S. Attorney's Office — are ongoing.
Christie, The Times reported, provided unfettered access to his personal iPhone and telephone records and allowed investigators to look through his work and personal email accounts.
Lawyers also interviewed Christie himself, every current senior Christie staffer and several key officials at the Port Authority.
The review, nevertheless, was immediately met with skepticism because lawyers weren't able to interview several of the former Christie staffers at the heart of the scandal, including former deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly, former campaign manager Bill Stepien, and David Wildstein, a Christie Port Authority ally.
"It can’t be a complete investigation,” New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski, who is co-chairing the state legislature’s investigation, told NJ.com. “If we don’t hear from the person who put the lane closures into motion, Bridget Kelly … then we can’t have a complete picture of what happened here.”
The lawyer leading the internal investigation, however, maintained that his review was “exhaustive.”
“At the end of the day, we will be judged by whether we got this right,” Randy Mastro, the attorney heading the review, told The Times.
Christie has repeatedly denied knowing anything about the traffic-producing lane closures — said to be the product of a plot to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., for not endorsing Christie's re-election bid — until they had already happened.
But emails between top Christie staffers, including one from Kelly to Wildstein that stated "time for some traffic problems in Ft. Lee," suggest it would have been difficult for Christie to be so unaware that his top confidantes were plotting the scheme.
According to The New York Times, the internal review, ordered by the embattled leader and conducted by a law firm with 'close ties' to his administration, found that Gov. Christie was not 'involved in the plotting or directing' of the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge last September that caused devastating traffic for thousands of commuters.
Big surprise!
Chris Christie's own investigation into the Bridgegate scandal that has rocked his office found the embattled New Jersey governor had no knowledge his top aides were orchestrating the catastrophic traffic jam, a new report claims.
An elite law firm hired in January by Christie himself to investigate how and why several traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge were closed last September did not find any evidence the governor was "involved in the plotting or directing of the lane closings," The New York Times reported Monday, citing people familiar with the inquiry.
The review, conducted by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, which The Times reported has "close ties" to the Christie administration, included at least 70 interviews with staffers and cost more than $1 million — a fee that will be paid by New Jersey taxpayers.
Christie reportedly hired the firm so he could rely on his own internal review to parallel other outside investigations into his office. Those outside investigations — including ones being run by the New Jersey Legislature and the U.S. Attorney's Office — are ongoing.
Christie, The Times reported, provided unfettered access to his personal iPhone and telephone records and allowed investigators to look through his work and personal email accounts.
Lawyers also interviewed Christie himself, every current senior Christie staffer and several key officials at the Port Authority.
The review, nevertheless, was immediately met with skepticism because lawyers weren't able to interview several of the former Christie staffers at the heart of the scandal, including former deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly, former campaign manager Bill Stepien, and David Wildstein, a Christie Port Authority ally.
"It can’t be a complete investigation,” New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski, who is co-chairing the state legislature’s investigation, told NJ.com. “If we don’t hear from the person who put the lane closures into motion, Bridget Kelly … then we can’t have a complete picture of what happened here.”
The lawyer leading the internal investigation, however, maintained that his review was “exhaustive.”
“At the end of the day, we will be judged by whether we got this right,” Randy Mastro, the attorney heading the review, told The Times.
Christie has repeatedly denied knowing anything about the traffic-producing lane closures — said to be the product of a plot to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., for not endorsing Christie's re-election bid — until they had already happened.
But emails between top Christie staffers, including one from Kelly to Wildstein that stated "time for some traffic problems in Ft. Lee," suggest it would have been difficult for Christie to be so unaware that his top confidantes were plotting the scheme.
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