In calling reporter 'idiot,' Christie shocks everyone except reporters
Attention family, friends and others who texted, called and emailed today: I was not the reporter whom Gov. Christie called an idiot and questioned the intelligence of on Saturday. (And that is unfortunate, because it would have totally given me a bounce in my Twitter numbers.)
In calling reporter 'idiot,' Christie shocks everyone except reporters
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
Attention family, friends and others who texted, called and emailed today: I was not the reporter whom Gov. Christie called an idiot and questioned the intelligence of on Saturday. (And that is unfortunate, because it would have totally given me a bounce in my Twitter numbers.)
On Saturday, Gov. Christie did two things. First, he used his extraordinary constitutional powers to command the Legislature to return to the Statehouse on Monday and vote on his plan to cut taxes. A few hours later, he held a press conference in Monmouth County about a water main break, and reporters showed up to ask about the news he broke earlier.
I wasn't at the press conference, but apparently Christie made it clear that he would not be taking questions on anything other than the water emergency. But a reporter had the gall -- some would say "duty" -- to try to violate that rule.
Bergen Record's Chris Harris: "Governor, on Monday, are you going to be addressing the Legislature?"
Gov: "Did I say on topic? Are you stupid? On topic! On topic! Next question." [No more questions were forthcoming.] "Thank you all very much and I'm sorry for the idiot over there. Take care."
I've heard Christie tell a columnist to "get a life." I've heard him use words like "jerk," "numbnuts" and "SOB" (just last week!) to describe lawmakers. Last week, the Bergen Record did a rundown of some of Christie's more notable insults, suggesting that they could be tactical in nature.
In other words, to the Trenton press corps, Saturday's exchange was not unusual.
But it is unusual for politicians in general, so the story got tremendous play around the country. Check out CNN's take, below.
(For his part, Harris tweeted today that his feelings were not hurt.)
The audition for his own show on Fox continues.— Ringsider- Nothing other than what you would hear on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe'. The problem with the left is they like to dish it out but can't take it when someone gives them a dose of their own medicine. — TetVet
He is the largest republican tea party guy alive and has the god-given right to call reporters "idiot."
Is it me or is he looking more and more like the fat guy in the Austin Powers movies?— jimd98- Look at the size of that dude!— guitarman
- He's gonna keel over before this heat wave is out. It almost happened last year. He looks fatter now.— F. Harry Stowe
- Holee Christopha he's huge. He better hope Obamacare sticks - he's gonna max out every limit on his healthcare once the diabetes and heart disease sets in.— CiceroSpuriousDeodatus
- CANNONBALL!!!— guitarman
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I bet this boy cannot even see his feet?- Good for the Governor. Reportes are just as idiotic as the rest of us and have no sense of decency and civility.— tonyS
- this man has a philosophical difference with dieting
I havent seen such a rotund blubbering mass in politics for a long time— astroqueen0 - Well, if his pump does fail, they will need at least 18 handles on the casket judging by the size of him.— BigDaddy3150
- You know I agree with about 60% of Christie's platform but his attitude completely turns me off from wanting him to be in any position of power. It's the right attitude for when he was the US Attorney but this won't fly in national politics when he decides to run for President.— kcourtney
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It's stinking hot outside.
Every body get's testy in the heat! He did not cuss the guy out.
Like some people we know in left arena.— FocusTruthFully - Inappropriate. Guy was doing his job and governor snaps at him. This isn't, say, baseball, where a manager might. Go off about a postgame question. This is an elected official who would use the same media guy to promote his agenda in another situation. His morbid obesity leads to another path...can we elect someone withis kind of cardiovascular risk to a higher office...or is health off limits?— frinkie
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.
