Not the first time Christie has praised Obama
Did Gov. Christie praise President Obama last week, as the conspiracy theory goes, in order to throw Mitt Romney under the bus and clear the field for himself in 2016? Consider this, conspiracy theorists: In September 2011, long before the presidential campaign had begun, Obama and Christie toured New Jersey in the aftermath of another storm, Hurricane Irene. Afterward, Christie held a news conference, and the words he chose are remarkably similar to the ones he so controversially bestowed on Obama last week in the wake of Sandy. "I had the opportunity to thank him for his administration expediting the much-needed assistance . . . and complimented him on the great work FEMA did both before the storm and after the storm." After Irene, Christie called the performance of the Obama administration "outstanding." After Sandy, Christie said "the cooperation from the president of the United States has been outstanding."
Not the first time Christie has praised Obama
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
Did Gov. Christie praise President Obama last week, as the conspiracy theory goes, in order to throw Mitt Romney under the bus and clear the field for himself in 2016?
Consider this, conspiracy theorists:
In September 2011, long before the presidential campaign had begun, Obama and Christie toured New Jersey in the aftermath of another storm, Hurricane Irene. Afterward, Christie held a news conference, and the words he chose are remarkably similar to the ones he so controversially bestowed on Obama last week in the wake of Sandy.
After Irene, Christie called the performance of the Obama administration "outstanding." After Sandy, Christie said "the cooperation from the president of the United States has been outstanding."
So the governor handled the president in the same way during a highly political week, just days before an election, as he did in a far less political week, 14 months before an election.
While touring New Jersey with Obama after Irene, Christie read an article on his iPhone about a former adviser to President George W. Bush saying Christie was considering a run at the presidency.
Christie didn't mention it to the president.
"Discretion is the better part of valor in that regard," he said at the time. "You don't, like, whip out the iPhone and say, 'Hey, Mr. President, look at this! They say I'm actively reconsidering running against you!' Especially when you're looking for FEMA funding, you don't do it."
Because when you need FEMA funding for your state, you're as nice as possible to the man who is responsible for doling it out.
We would need a new wide body Air Force One.— Earl J- "You're such a good president that I could eat you all up" said Christie as he licked his lips Pavlovian style.
— DarnelX - Christie is not the reason Romney lost the election. The reason is that Romney lost 6 of the 7 battleground states.— BobSG
- Christie did his job by putting politics aside for the sake of the people of NJ. He was looking out for the little guy. Who cares what party he is in, or what his future aspirations are.— marckahn
- Air Force Ton— jakeAZ
- "Because when you need FEMA funding for your state, you're as nice as possible to the man who is responsible for doling it out."
apparently Bloomy and Coumo didn't think so. you really think NJ will make out better in the Fema sweepstakes than them? Dream on. Tubby got played and may as well switch to the Dems. He's a RINO anyway.— MilesLong1 - Christie has nothing to do with Romney losing the election.however romney lost because of his party REPUBLICAN republican are vicious racist, they do reflect america of yesterday.look on map where they won state like Alabama, Missisippi burning, Louisiana,georgia, texas kentucky all the red necks. republicans are 99% red necks.democrats are america of future very diverse. you have whites, blacks,latinos asians, gays straight and i feel sorry for decent people like Christie to be a part of republican. peace— jkazongo
- give me a break, mitt did it all on his own!— britchick292002
- Christie has nothing to do with Romney losing the election.however romney lost because of his party REPUBLICAN republican are vicious racist, they do reflect america of yesterday.look on map where they won state like Alabama, Missisippi burning, Louisiana,georgia, texas kentucky all the red necks. republicans are 99% red necks.democrats are america of future very diverse. you have whites, blacks,latinos asians, gays straight and i feel sorry for decent people like Christie to be a part of republican. peace— jkazongo
- JKAZONGO
I say this as an independent, YOU are the problem. Extreme on the left and right is what's killing this country. I voted for Obama last time, didn't like the last four years, and voted for Romney this time.
But if you think the backbone of this country wasn't built of hard work of past generations, and being
taken advantage of by new ones, you're fooling yourself. Keep up these rules and we're going right back to the stone age.— romanT - Well said Roman.— vinnybravo
- Romney lost because a lot of the people in the middle, who would have considered voting for him were turned off by the fact that the Tea Party has become so influential within the Republican Party.
For the Republican Party to regain its luster at the national level it must distance itself from the extreme right..— cybersport - Both parties have been hijacked by the fringe. I voted for the Libertarian candidate mainly because I'm sick on the Ds and Rs. I voted for McCain in 2008 and I couldn't trust Romney this year.— palmyra21
- White America, wake up! While you're busy worrying about minority groups, the rich are destabilizing the economy with tactics that get the debt rating downgraded, and sending jobs overseas.— Progressive215
- So Chrisite called Obama to congratulate him but only sent Mitt and email. Ouch!— chasing history
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
