Gov gets some love on the way to Tampa
SEA ISLE CITY, N.J. - In his last public appearance in New Jersey before the biggest speech of his political life, Gov. Christie took a walk down the Jersey Shore today and basked in some serious homegrown adoration. "Go get 'em next week!" yelled Bob Bannon, 38, well aware that Christie will be delivering the keynote speech at the Republican convention in Tampa next Tuesday. Such sentiment was echoed again and again by universally adoring crowds who shadowed Christie during a walk down the Sea Isle City boardwalk, a short speech about tourism and a visit at a bar with a group of reporters (including me...I needed a beer...it was hot.)
Gov gets some love on the way to Tampa
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
SEA ISLE CITY, N.J. — In his last public appearance in New Jersey before the biggest speech of his political life, Gov. Christie took a walk down the Jersey Shore today and basked in some serious homegrown adoration.
“Go get ‘em next week!” yelled Bob Bannon, 38, well aware that Christie will be delivering the keynote speech at the Republican convention in Tampa next Tuesday.
Such sentiment was echoed again and again by universally adoring crowds who shadowed Christie during a walk down the Sea Isle City promenade, a short speech about tourism and a visit at a bar with a group of reporters (including me...I needed a beer...it was hot.)
The trip became something of a farewell party for the gov before he leaves for Tampa. At one point at the Braca Cafe bar (where Christie downed two Miller Lights), a woman hung on him for a photo even though he wasn’t looking at the camera. He was too busy passionately registering his complaints to us about recent articles in this paper and others.
But Christie was otherwise in great spirits. When a beat-and-bacon salad arrived in front of him, he shot a look at the Sea Isle City mayor.
“I’m trying to take care of ya!” said Mayor Len Desiderio. “You’re going to go to Tampa I don’t know what you’re gonna eat!”
On the boardwalk, a server from Mike’s Seafood came by to deliver a tray of crab balls with cocktail sauce (“Those are really good,” the governor declared), while a kid on a roof yelled: “Hey governor, ‘Republicans rule!’”
Why such popularity? If the comments to Christie are any indication, it’s simple: They like the way he talks.
“My polls go up or down based on what comes out of mouth,” Christie said at the news conference, “and you all know that can be variable from time to time.”
When an older woman, possibly imbibed, asked from her balcony if he remembered her from last night, Christie said: “The answer is always ‘no.’”
Another asked whether he would revisit his famous line before Hurricane Irene last summer (“Get the hell of the beach!”) if a forecasted storm hits Tampa during the Republican convention, while a group of senior citizens implored Christie to come into their bar, the Commodore Club.
“You finally got us off the beach, and now you won’t come in and have a beer with us?” asked Kathy McNichols, 66, as she took pictures with an iPhone in each hand.
When Carmel Petrowsky of Cherry Hill implored Christie to run for president, Christie said he had to finish the job he started. Later, he told reporters that he wouldn’t take a cabinet position in a Romney administration.
“He’s down to earth, he’s one of us, just a great guy,” Petrowsky said.
Ostensibly, Christie’s visit was a chance to tout beach tourism before the Labor Day holiday. But he also gave a sense of what he wants to convey in his keynote.
Christie referenced a recent poll in which most New Jerseyans think the state is going in the right direction. He said that there are fewer late-night jokes about New Jersey (he didn’t mention that David Letterman consistently makes fun of the governor’s weight), and more news stories about the state being a “leader” in confronting problems.
“How about this? A New Jersey Republican’s going to give the keynote speech on Tuesday,” Christie said to cheers.
Christie said he’s on his tenth draft of the speech. He rehearsed all day Thursday at the governor’s mansion. Three people outside of his family are helping him: Maria Comella, his communications director; Bill Palatucci, a key political adviser; Bob Grady, an economic adviser.
These words won’t appear in the speech: “The New Jersey comeback.” That phrase has been touted by Christie but blasted by Democrats because of New Jersey’s high unemployment rate.
“The words ‘New Jersey Comeback’ didn’t fit with the flow” of the speech, he said.
The meaning of the phrase still applies, though, and he said he plans to tell America on Tuesday that the state is on its way to a comeback.
“You’re going to hear a lot, a lot, about how proud I am of where I came from, and the people I’ve grown up with and the effect that they’ve had on me, making me who I am and helping me lead the way I lead,” he said.
“When I get up on that stage Tuesday night there’ll be one thing I’m thinking about when I first step out there — that I’m stepping up there on your shoulders.”
Hey Governor Provolone why if you and your gang are so good is the unemployment rate in NJ at 9.5%? Not much of a come back maybe that's why you left it out of your speech, your are not in Kansas anymore you are going to be playing with the big boys!!!!— consierge- Cool. The governor is popular with drunks.
— pigday31 - Truth: And whose fault is it really:
"Our small businesses and job creators cannot afford to invest and hire without knowing that taxes will be going down the next three years in New Jersey," he said, adding that Democrats are "putting the brakes on New Jersey's economic recovery" by waiting until the end of the year to make a decision
Libs you can hate but you can't hide!!! LOL!!!— sarah89 - Hey righty, you think this blowhard is going to lower your taxes think again honey. he is a fraud and you will see it in a few years and no he won't get reelected!!!— consierge
- Matt Katz: You are "stealing money" writing a regular column about Christie. Such an endeavor ranks up there with columns about pet care or gardening tips. Furthermore, you are contributing to making this self-centered blowhard a pseudo-celebrity. There are very serious issues effecting N.J. and the nation and you get paid to write about a second-rate comedian who was thrown out of Weight Watchers! Just wondering if you have the talent and ability to script some serious journalism. Your current "fluff" belongs in a supermarket tabloid or comic book!— Cornwall Citizen
- Yea all you left wingers posting here I have on question for you. How is that hopey dopey change working for you?— Mr. Barffington
- THIS is the Republican keynote speaker this year?
http://www.bartcop.com/going-down-christie.jpg— Cornwall Citizen - Mr. Katz, how about a critique on the latest movie out in theaters now?
"Obama's America 2016" it is sure to give you fresh material to spice up your column. Unless you don't have the stomach for it.— FocusTruthFully
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.
