Gov. Christie: Obama deserves "great credit" for storm response

[SunSeeker]

Source: CBSNews.com

"The state of New Jersey took it in the neck worse than any other state," Christie said of the storm's effects. "It's going to take us a while to dig out from under it, but we will dig out from under it," he added.


Christie called the level of cooperation between the local, state and federal governments "excellent" and praised President Obama's involvement. "I was on the phone for the third time yesterday, last night, with the president of the United States. He called me at midnight last night as he was seeing reports," he said before adding that President Obama accelerated the designation of New Jersey as a major disaster area "without the usual red tape."

"The cooperation has been great with FEMA here on the ground and the cooperation from the president of the United States has been outstanding. He deserves great credit," Christie added.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57542354/gov-christie-obama-deserves-great-credit-for-storm-response/?tag=MaxDeep

---

You couldn't PAY for better press!

[groundloop]

1. Ahhh, this is getting good.

First off, I'm concerned for everyone being affected by the storm. I have family in the area who are probably without power right now, hence I can't get in touch with them.

Christie is sealing the deal for Pres. O. and Mitt's gotta' be fuming. But does Christie really think he can beat Hillary in 4 years?

[brush]

2. A Christie CYA

He knows that if the storm damage isn't cleaned up quickly and efficiently his re-election chances are in danger so he's kissing up to the President now whereas before the first debate he was kissing up to Romney and praising his coming game changer strategy. What a blowhard. The President doesn't need his praise as he was on top of storm response early on as shown by his canceling of campaign stops in Florida to get back to Washington to oversee the totality of the Federal government's response effort. Again, this is just a CYA by Christie as he senses how the election is going to turn out.

[djg21]

28. More than that. He knows that if Romney is elected . . .

New Jersey is utterly screwed.

If Romney is elected, it is unlikely that there will be ample federal disaster relief for New Jersey, which then will have to seek private investment and sell bonds to finance its reconstruction. Christie may be an opportunist, but he is not stupid. He needs FEMA money, and he needs to rebuild the Jersey Shore if he is to run for President in 2016.

As much as I can't stand Christie, you have to give him credit for the way he is dealing with this disaster.

[haele]

3. Way to look bi-partisan!

Yup, the governer is planning on running in the next four years. And he'll now have the ability to claim he was able to work with the feds and can better understand the line between the what should be the responsiblity of the states and the responsiblity of the federal government, too.

Haele

[NYC Liberal]

4. Christie isn't dumb. He wants to run in 2016 and knows that doing something as stupid as

politicizing a disaster while it's happening would kill in in 4 years if and when he runs. He's writing his own ads rather than writing ours.

That said, I do think he's being sincere in his praise.

[femrap]

18. I just don't think

Christie's heart, arteries, etc. can last for 4 years. I keep waiting for him to explode....he's stretched to the limit.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. This makes Romney look like a limp fool

[lexx21]

26. No, his performance with Anne makes him look like a limp fool...

Why do you think she has such a nasty attitude?

[maddogesq]

6. Seeing our Prez on TV yesterday...

acting calm but resolute, made me so proud. Sorry if this is a bad analogy, but I immediately thought of this:

[SaveAmerica]

7. His press conf was funny; my state doesn't have money, we need Fed help

I had a good laugh over that one.

[antigone382]

8. I don't give a shit about the politics at this point...

...(although if some of these politicians could maybe mention that we should maybe think about doing a little something for climate change, yaknow, I would be thrilled).

I hope every single person who has any power or influence uses it as effectively as they can to make this situation better. If Chris Christie governs his state well and cooperates with people at all levels, good for him. If Mitt Romney has a rally that raises money and supplies for hurricane relief, that's awesome. I will save accusations of opportunism or hypocrisy for when people are out of harm's way.

[donnasgirl]

9. As for global warming

antigone382 that answer is with us the voters,we need to give everybody time to get their act together and then start demanding we start using solar, wind,water, and every means possible to stop using oil.

[antigone382]

12. I believe that very much, but the solutions require more than individual or even community action.

I support the Transition Town movement and other forces acting to increase community level resilience, but there are fundamental changes that really have to take place at the federal level for this to be effective.

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. As much as I don't like Christie,

I give him credit for giving praise to the President if it is warranted.

In this case, I doubt it's a political ploy.

He tends to speak his mind, and I think that's what he's doing here.

[Harry Monroe]

13. He may be speaking his mind, but it's a calculated move for his 2016 run

Bet on it. With that being said, I'm glad he said it. Makes Romney look that much more ignorant.

[TheCowsCameHome]

14. Whatever the reason

this isn't good for Romney, especially because Christie has been stumping for him.

2012 is first and foremost, then we'll deal with 2016.

[cosmicone]

16. Christie doesn't want Romney to win

If Romney wins, he has to wait till 2020.

On edit added the following:

The republicans wanted Christie to tour the disaster areas with Romney so Romney will get the spotlight as well ... but Christie refused to play politics with the disaster.

[Politicalboi]

11. Bruce still isn't your friend

Gov Crisco.

[obamanut2012]

15. Christie is (well, was) a Romney surrogate, too

Better than the best campaign ad ever.

[bamacrat]

17. He may be positioning himself for a run in 2016 but...

One big thing stands in his way... his size. While I know it isn't really fair to say a fat person isn't qualified to be president, hell Taft couldn't fit in the WH bathtub. But since then we have not had an overweight President. I would love to see Christie vs. Hillary in 2016. Maybe we could stretch this into 16 years of Dem Pres. rule!

[joc46224]

19. A noun, a verb, and Libya

I'm having a bit of fun going out to right-wing websites and reading their comments on Chris Christie praising Obama. I swear just about every comment makes some reference to Libya and "why didn't Obama save the 4 who died there?" (I won't even go into the ridiculousness of these idiots). These people are nuts, but it's fun to see observe their heads exploding. (Oh, and they are all making negative references to Christie's weight--calling him "fatboy", etc. Wait, I thought he was their hero?)

[iandhr]

20. Not to mention Christie has the New Jersey National Guard at home instead on in Iraq.

[davsand]

21. I have to respect Christie for doing his job.

I have no way to know for sure what his motives are, but I still have to respect Christie for keeping the subject focused on the very real issues facing his state right now. Those people dealing with the danger of this monster storm, no power, too much water, and a huge amount of damage to property deserve better than some asshole playing politics with their lives.

No matter the party affiliation, these guys were all elected by the people. They have a job to do and politics needs to stand down at a time like this. I celebrate President Obama for this same reason.



Laura

[Kingofalldems]

22. Freepers are not amused.

[oldbanjo]

23. Would any of you want to be in

Christie's place in 7 days if Romney wins, Obama has to win if NJ is to be rebuilt.

[LisaMCdonald]

24. Obama deserves "great credit" Yes He does

Interesting how nice they can be when they need you. And Mitt the Twitt said to do away with FEMA. Yes action always did speak louder than words.

[and-justice-for-all]

25. ...

[Norbert]

27. Christie deserves credit.

It looks like he shows genuine concern for his state. I have a problem with much of his politics but at least he seems like he was putting politics aside on this one.

[Trajan]

29. This was a sharp move by Christie ....

Wisely insinuating himself as the 'bipartisan' GOP contender for 2016 let's him occupy that giant hole in the Republican party known as 'The Moderate Wing' ....

Deft move, mo fo ....

[Overseas]

30. Give Brownie a call. Tell him about it. Tell Mitt and Paul not to defund federal FEMA to give more

tax cuts to their friends.

[funkhowser1]

31. Seeing the devastation in NJ ...

on the various channels is jaw-dropping. Positive thoughts to all those affected. May you rebuild and make it even better. Christie is just calling it like it is ... he wasn't left hanging with a Katrina or Andrew, like by Bush Jr. and Sr.