Christie talks senatorial inexperience from distant N.H. trail as blizzard targets N.J.

Snow laying on I-295 during a December 2013 snow storm.

By The Staff | The Save Jersey Blog

Snow laying on I-295 during a December 2013 snow storm.
Snow laying on I-295 during a December 2013 snow storm.

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Update: Governor Christie has decided to come back after all. The story is here.

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As a massive blizzard steamrolls towards the Garden State, Save Jerseyans, Governor Chris Christie’s focus remains fixed on winning a political contest 300 miles due north.

Central to that effort have been ongoing attacks leveled not at the front runner who stole his playbook – Donald Trump – but other senators he perceives as having absconded with his “establishment” vote share.

“Yeah, well it’s back again to the Washington establishment on Capitol Hill who’s completely out of touch with the American people, and this is the difference between Senators and a Governor, Laura,” the Governor told radio host Laura Ingraham during a Thursday appearance on her national program. “When you’re a senator you get there, you talk you talk you talk, you get talked to by lobbyist and powerful special interest and of a sudden you know, you have three different positions on an issue. When you’re a Governor, you have to get things done, they expect you to accomplish things and get things done.  Enforce the law.  That’s what I’ll do as President, and you cannot trust these first term Senators to be able to do that.  They show no ability to get anything done in Washington.”

Target #1 has been Marco Rubio, who has consistently occupied the 3rd-place position in New Hampshire according to public polling. Attacking Rubio’s missed U.S. Senate votes is the substance of the assault, a charge which our Blogger-in-Chief Matt Rooney pointed out was a little more than incredible given the Governor’s own record of long absences from the Garden State.

Christie doesn’t plan on coming back for this snow storm either, telling the New England-based WMUR television at a Thursday campaign event that he’ll return to New Jersey only “[i]f I feel like it’s necessary for me to get down there, I will, but I’m not driving a plow truck, OK?” Christie told WMUR. “We have all of our people ready to go. They know what to do. We’ve been through Hurricane Sandy, this Cabinet, so 6, 8, 10, 12 inches of snow on a weekend will not be something that I think will be more than we can handle.”

The Administration is naturally echoing its leader’s position, painting the picture of a Governor who is fully capable of monitoring storm response efforts in New Jersey from New England.christie fox news debate

“Governor Christie continues to actively monitor the winter storm and held a telephone briefing of his cabinet this evening to direct the state’s contingency and response planning.  New Jersey’s state agencies are making all necessary preparations while models of the storm’s path and the potential impact on New Jersey become clearer as we approach the weekend,” stated the Governor’s press guru, Kevin Roberts, in an update shared with media. “The Governor will receive an updated briefing tomorrow on final preparations and to determine any additional steps that need to be taken to ensure New Jersey is fully prepared and ready to clear roadways, address power outages and utility customer needs, and respond to any needs as they emerge.”

On another national program, Christie pointed out that New Jersey’s power grid is “fragile.”

His response to storms over the course of his gubernatorial tenure has varied widely. Seeking political advantage, Democrats have even proposed restricting the Republican politician’s travel while Rubio has pointed out the Governor’s own record of absenteeism and begun to go after his Garden State antagonist more forcefully

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YOUR TAKE: Is Governor Christie’s position reasonable? Or is he a hypocrite?

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29 Comments

  1. Will everyone stop with this OMG it’s going to snow ! Really this never happened before ? These weather persons ( can’t say weatherman anymore ) are out of control with this, it’s not the end of the world people ! On TV showing piles of salt and these BIG trucks that plow snow are they a new invention? Shut up !

  2. Five years ago he came back from Florida a few days after the storm and told everyone what a great job the state did plowing the roads…..only problem with that was there were state highways in Monmouth County that were still not open.

  3. He was elected and is being paid to do his job and be here in NJ. With that said I would think one of his advisers could talk some sense into him that from a purely political perspective, it would put him in a much better light with potential voters being back in NJ doing his job rather than intentionally choosing to be out of state during an emergency.

  4. This is a non issue, of course he needs to be here. Safety and welfare of NJ residences is his first job. This is a significant event. State Troopers, DOT, National Guard, airports, etc, etc, etc all need executive decisions to be made. And it’s not just the storm, its the aftermath and recovery, power outages, etc. If this intensifies, we are looking at nearly two feet, putting it the historic category

  5. I’ve been a BIG Christie supporter. I’ve defended his record, excused his absences, But it’s Getting a little ridiculous now.
    A little redundant and a LOT frustrating. Chris, You talk the talk. These are the situations that allow you to walk the walk. Those steps should be taken in NJ, not abroad.
    Just because the RNC figures you to be in the top 4 doesn’t give you an ‘out’ as governor. You still have a job to do!! Remember who voted for and elected you!! Your priority should still coincide with the vows you most recently took. As NJ governor.
    Even airlines say fasten your Oregon mask first, then seek out those in need. NJ IS YOUR MASK!!! Take care of your original obligation and the rest of the country will reward you for it. All roads start from home!!

  6. Gov Christie , said he was waiting for the last weather report . And he had been on the phone since wednesday with the necessary people for the emergency ! He will also be driving to areas to assess emergencies ‘ what more does everyone want from him ?

    More revenue for both sectors ? For your. pensions ? For more jobs ?
    Lower property taxes ?
    Well Me too !

    Our fight should be with the labor committee and speaker Vincent Prieto and President Steve Sweeney !

    5 bills since 2011 were ignored to attract jobs here ! Amu Handlin and Declan O Scanlon’s Right to work
    Bill , needs passing and
    They are refusing for this bill to be heard ! It should be voter approval . As right to work states do better !

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