NJ's Christie & Lt. Gov. Leave Dem In Charge During Snowstorm

[cal04]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/both-christie-and-lt-gov-on-vacation-during-snowstorm.php

A funny thing is going on in New Jersey. The state's response to the massive snowstorm is being overseen by Democratic state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, in the role of Acting Governor -- because both Republican Gov. Chris Christie and his Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno are vacationing out of state at the same time.

Until this past year, New Jersey did not actually have a lieutenant governor, with the state Senate President taking over in case of a vacancy or temporary absence of the governor. In 2005, New Jersey voters approved a ballot question to create the office of lieutenant governor, with it being filled by the victory of the Christie-Guadagno ticket in 2009.

But in the midst of the snowstorm, Christie is on vacation with his family at Disney World in Florida, and Guadagno and her family are in Mexico.

As the Bergen Record reports, this has one Democratic state senator calling foul:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/122710_NJ_lawmaker_questions_absence_of_Christie_ltgov_during_blizzard.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I want to know why the governor didn't return to the state as soon as the airlines

started flying again. Or why he didn't stay behind before the storm.

[golddigger]

3. Maybe because, he's a worthless POS.

That would be my guess.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Good Luck Getting A Flight Into NYC...

The airports were shutdown until late yesterday...so even if he could have hauled his fat ass back, not much good that would have done, the crisis was already on. The question is more about whose really in charge here and who is capable of handling this situation. Christie did have several days warning this storm was coming and could have flow back before the first flake had fallen. Also did he have a plan in place...these type of storms aren't uncommon...how prepared was he that not only he but others could take off and figure things were under control.

[Hawkeye-X]

10. He could have chartered, at state's expense, a flight to Teterboro

or any airport in NJ that is *at least* cleared, and drive the rest of the way to Trenton.

[KharmaTrain]

12. He Should Have Been There Before It Began Snowing...

The first storm warnings went out last Friday...he surely should have been hearing the weather reports and still chose to go. That says more than the fact he was no where to be found later on. Hopefully the voters in that state will remember...

In some fairness, much of the snow removal efforts belong to the municipalities and counties, not the state, but this was enough of an emergency that he showed what matters most...the welfare of the people of his state or his vacation. And he's still having fun in the sun...

[Name removed]

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[SpiralHawk]

5. Typical republicons - going AWOL

and dodging all responsibility...

[tanyev]

6. That's what Republicans do best.

[LiberalFighter]

7. I bet in other states it is SOP that Governor and Lt Govenor

do NOT take their vacation at the same time. And they make sure that at least one of them is in the state at all times.

[Kber]

8. Typical

Leave the mess for the Democrat to clean up.

[Hawkeye-X]

9. Then the Democratic senate has to answer but one question:

Is Christie and Guadagno worthy of an impeachement and removal from the office?

The answer is yes.

Hawkeye-X

[Arkana]

11. How studious of Governor Twinkie and his lackey.

Hope the people of Jersey are happy.