New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Wednesday got into a shouting match with a heckler who was upset by the pace of Hurricane Sandy recovery at an event marking the two-year anniversary of the storm.
A group of protesters holding signs that read “Get Sandy families back in their homes – finish the job” and “Gov. Christie, you are sitting on $800,000,000 in Sandy recovery money. Get it to families in need” stood throughout Christie’s speech in the Jersey Shore town of Belmar, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Then one protester, former Asbury Park City Councilman Jim Keady, began to heckle the governor. That’s when Christie got frustrated.
“I’d be more than happy to have a debate with you anytime you like, guy, because somebody like you who doesn’t know a damn thing about what you’re talking about except to stand up and show off when the cameras are here,” Christie said, his voice rising. “I’ve been here when the cameras aren’t here, buddy, and done the work.”
The crowd cheered Christie, but Keady continued to press him about why some Jersey Shore residents still haven’t been able to return to their homes.
“It’s been 23 months since then, when all you’ve been doing is flapping your mouth and not doing anything!” the governor said. “So listen, you want to have that conversation later, I’m happy to have it, buddy. But until that time, sit down and shut up!”
Keady was undeterred and invited the governor to dinner to continue their debate.
“I’ll tell ya, there’s about 1,000 things I’ll do tonight, going to dinner with you is about 1,001,” Christie scoffed.
The governor is known for his brash response to criticism. This week, he dismissed a potential lawsuit from a nurse he involuntarily quarantined in a Newark hospital over Ebola concerns with a brusque “Whatever. Get in line.”
Watch below, via American Bridge 21st Century:
This post has been updated.
Mr. Sensitive!
And here I thought New Jerseyites were thick-skinned.
(And turned down a free meal to boot!)
jw1
christie is back to his old form… and it’s surprisingly being met with dismay by the morningbro crew – except, of course, for meeka.
the thinking is that the bullying might work with the conservative republicans, but it’s not going to work in iowa or this time around. the guy had legitimate questions; and it was unseemly of christie to attack him like that.
And this is the guy Republicans want to go nipple-to-nipple with Putin?
Does not stand a chance of being our Pres. but a great deal of money will be totally down the drain with the attempt. Sure wish we could limit the election process to about 3 months.
And if a Republican becomes President, I’m guessing Christie won’t be his pick for the diplomatic position of Secretary of State. An Ambassador spot is likely out too…