Christie: I won't leave this place the way I found it

A Republican New York Mets fan from North Jersey, known nationally for pounding Democrats, state employees and unions in the Garden State, came to Philadelphia yesterday morning to tell a crowd of hundreds that what's good for New Jersey can be good for Pennsylvania and the nation.

And although New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie claims that he's been booed by Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park and by public employees on his home field, the crowd at the annual Committee of Seventy breakfast applauded politely and chuckled at a few of his jokes.

"There was no traffic on the New Jersey side of the river, but once I got over to [Interstate] 95, it just stopped," Christie, who ran late, told the crowd of about 600.

Zack Stalberg, president of the Committee of Seventy, said that "Governor Wrecking Ball" was a perfect fit to address the voter-watchdog group's breakfast, regardless of his politics, because he was outspoken and "speaks our language."

Christie delivered the same blunt language he's been telling crowds at town-hall meetings across New Jersey and, more recently, the country, as he stumped for GOP candidates as far away as California. A former U.S. attorney, Christie has deflected talks of a GOP presidential bid and claims that he isn't concerned about getting re-elected at home either.

"I'm a Republican in New Jersey," he said. "I am playing with house money. You could do everything perfect for the next three years and, given the demographics, I could end up losing if I chose to run again.

"It frees you up not to be a panderer, not to be an incrementalist."

Christie spent most of his time on his favorite bogeyman, the New Jersey Education Association, which represents all public- school teachers. The NJEA has called Christie "irresponsible and out of control" as he's questioned NJEA salaries and the rationale of tenure for teachers, and whether they're making a difference.

"In Camden we spend $25,000 per student for some of the worst education you'll find in America," Christie said.

Camden, also one of the poorest cities in America, was just labeled the country's second-most-dangerous city in 2009, an improvement from the previous year, when it was deemed most dangerous. Union officials in Camden say that Christie's drastic cuts in state aid could result in the loss of nearly half the police department. A Christie spokesman declined to comment on Camden after the breakfast.

Christie was in Philadelphia last month, stumping for Tom Corbett's gubernatorial bid, at the Irish Pub, at 20th and Walnut streets. After Corbett won, he said that he planned to model his leadership style after Christie's, which gave Mayor Nutter an idea.

"If you could, please significantly increase funding to the largest city in New Jersey," Nutter said, drawing a big laugh before Christie arrived.

In closing, Christie urged the audience to find candidates who enact reform and aren't afraid to get booed every now and then.

"I don't care," he insisted. "I'm not going to leave this place the way I found it."