Gov. Chris Christie (R., N.J.) is catching heat from New Jersey Democrats over his administration’s handling of the blizzard. ABC News reports:
In New Jersey, where a post-Christmas blizzard dumped as much as 30 inches of snow in some parts of the state, the website PolitickerNJ reports that “some lawmakers Monday were grumbling” that Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, as well as Lt. Gov Kim Guadagno, also a Republican, “were on vacation at the same time,” leaving state Senate President Steve Sweeney – a Democrat – as the state’s Acting Governor.
State Sen. Ray Lesniak, Democrat, chided the two for not better coordinating their calendars, noting that state Office of Emergency Management officials “aren’t allowed to go on vacation at the same time.”
Lesniak then took the opportunity to slam Guadagno. “I supported the creation of a Lt. Gov.,” said Lesniak. “That was a mistake. We clearly don’t need one.”
Team Christie responds:
Christie in on vacation with his family at Disney World in Florida, while Guadagno is with her family in Mexico, Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said. Sunday, hours after taking the oath to become acting governor, Sweeney declared a state of emergency.
“It’s a big snow, definitely, but the world is not coming to an end,” said Drewniak. “We are a northeastern state and we get snow – sometimes lots of it like this – and we will get through it just as we always do.”
Drewniak noted Guadagno is paid in her capacity as secretary of state, not for being Lieutenant governor. She makes $141,000 a year in that cabinet position, which already existed in previous administrations.
Christie, for his part, has ably handled such storms before. In February, for example, he gained notice for leading during another icy emergency. With a scarf wrapped around his neck, he toured the Garden State, managing it all. His absence this week, of course, is a minor issue. But for an image-savvy pol, it is also out of character.
I am glad to see a Governor who schedules to take his kids to Disneyland during their school Christmas break.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhere did Lesniak take his kids?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOf course Christie is gone. With no chance to belittle and bully constituents with YouTube skirmishes when he knows he's wrong, there's no need for him to stick around and suffer when he can go to warmer climates.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOh, dear. How on earth did anyone manage to get through a storm without the governor personally "managing" it? And is there any chance that the people in charge of snow removal etc. will just do their jobs without the governor's valuable input (which must be delivered in person, with the media in tow)? Can our citizenry can be the teeniest bit self-reliant?
George Will noted that on 9/11, New York performed splendidly, while during Katrina, Louisiana performed abysmally. This had nothing to do with whether or not the governors of the respective states were at their respective desks.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusehe toured the Garden State, managing it all.
Something similar occurred in past cultures, but in a negative sense.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA royal officer toured the provinces in mufti, asking locals how they felt about taxes, law enforcement, fair elections, etc. The complaints were investigated informally but thoroughly.
Those that had merit were dealt with summarily: the local officials found to be corrupt were hanged on the spot, and their property seized. The incompetent were replaced instanter by their subordinates.
This is portrayed humorously in "The Inspector General" (D. Kaye, W. Slezak).
I am fine with this. It is not like he cannot be reached. I do however take issue with this:Christie, for his part, has ably handled such storms before. In February, for example, he gained notice for leading during another icy emergency. With a scarf wrapped around his neck, he toured the Garden State, managing it all.
If he indeed was 'managing it all' last time he should be on scene this time. The truth is he had very little to do with any response to the last storm. He just used it for a little bit of good PR. Well, this time his political foes are using it as a little bit of bad PR. Turnaround is fair play.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseUpset because a governor wasn't there to manage shoveling snow? Next thing you know they'll be complaining that the governor wasn't there to instruct them on how to eat. :P
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI’ve had my bones to pick with Governor Christie in the past, such as his glowing support for the uber liberal Mike Castle and his strong support of Cap & Trade.
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But vacationing with his family at Disney World during the Christmas holiday doesn’t concern me in the least – snow storm or not. The state will still function in his brief absence.
NYC's snow mess continues, particularly on Staten Island.
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Unless in the days to come there is evidence that the state government is not functioning, what is the big deal?
And if the state is not functioning without Christie there to hold hands, then that is grounds for Christie to fire everyone - mostly union, I would guess - when he returns.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat happened to the Obama appeal to base decisions on science and fact? Let’s see; it snows in winter; it is winter; it snowed. It snowed in New Jersey. States are supposed to plan for an “average” snow and purchase X number of snow plows and salt trucks to deal with the problem. One would assume that since New Jersey became a state on 7 December 1787 (3rd of the original 13 colonies to do so) at some time between then and now some bureaucrat figured out what an average snow amount was, how many plows and sand trucks to buy and have ready, and given today’s 24/7 weather reports that a storm was coming, had them ready. If the snow was average, all is well, if not-it will take the “average” number of plows and trucks longer to do the job! Not rocket science here. If (and that is a big if for Jersey Civil Servants) the folk who run the snow plow/sand truck operation are competent, they know a snow storm is coming, they shouldn’t need a governor to tell them to “go plow the snow!” However, using Obama’s logic, since Christie hasn’t been in office for even a year—it is Corzine’s fault! So, using Liberal Democrat logic or common sense it shouldn’t matter if Christie is at Disney World or not! (Nuttin’ but science and facts, folks!)
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOops; correction to previous post: New Jersey became a state on 18 December 1787.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTiredTurle,
Of course you're right. The problem is when politicians take victory laps during weather emergencies. Christy did so last year. Now, did he provide leadership last year or not? If he did not why did he accept any praise? And if he did why is he not on scene now?
We make a fetish of our executive being needed during day to day operations when what they really need to do is provide vision. Let the snow plowers plow and the leaders lead. Which one is Christie going to be?
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