I have confidence that we will have support from the President and federal authorities. #Sandy
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) October 30, 2012
On conf call with POTUS discussing post-Sandy cleanup efforts in partnership with the feds. He is instructing Gov't to lean forward to help.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) October 30, 2012
Twitter has been buzzing since this morning over New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s praise of President Obama’s assistance during Hurricane Sandy. In addition to his tweets expressing gratitude to Obama, Christie also made the morning talk show rounds to update Americans on his state’s situation and to thank the president for his “outstanding” leadership.
Christie: "Pres. has been all over this & he deserves great credit." "Incredibly supportive & helpful to our state." http://t.co/vKA1Cqfs
— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) October 30, 2012
Christie said he spoke with Obama three times on Monday, including at midnight, when Obama agreed to speed along an major disaster declaration for New Jersey without all the “normal FEMA mumbo jumbo.” The declarations for New Jersey and New York were issued this morning.
“The president has been all over this and he deserves great credit,” Christie said. “I’ve been on the phone with him, like I said, yesterday, personally three times. He gave me his number at the White House, told me to call him if I needed anything. And he absolutely means it.”
…
“I spoke to the president three times yesterday,” Christie said on CNN’s “Starting Point.” “He has been incredibly supportive and helpful to our state and not once did he bring up the election. So if he’s not bringing it up, you can be sure that people in New Jersey are not worried about that primarily if one of the guys running isn’t.”
I don't give a damn about Election Day after what has happened here. I am worried about the people of New Jersey. #Sandy
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) October 30, 2012
Liberals fawned over Christie’s embrace of “bipartisanship”:
@GovChristie Thank you for your bipartisanship during this emergency. Good luck to NJ in recovery efforts.
— Nancy Sobel (@nancysobel) October 30, 2012
@GovChristie Thanks Governor for keeping disaster like in your state above politics. You are a True American Hero and future #President.
— basudeb dey (@basudebdey) October 30, 2012
https://twitter.com/PamelaSSellers/status/263243685548929024
work between @GovChristie & @BarackObama on #Sandy show that nature knows no party lines. Thanks for being an example to our country!
— Katie Duthaler (@katieduth) October 30, 2012
@GovChristie very nice of you Governor. THAT’S what we need more of.
— Dennis (@DennisMNews) October 30, 2012
https://twitter.com/melindabyerley/status/263303160670609409
Thrilled @GovChristie reached across the aisle to thank the President for his assistance w/ #Sandy! Now is the time for unity, not politics.
— Brooks Sherman (OPEN to queries!) (@byobrooks) October 30, 2012
Yes! Bipartisanship for the sake of the people! NJ Gov. Chris Christie Praises President Obama for Sandy Response http://t.co/URyGJepj
— The Girls and Company (@girlsandcompany) October 30, 2012
And several gloated over Christie’s praise of FEMA, seizing upon the false assertion that Mitt Romney would eliminate federal disaster relief aid.
Heard Christie was profusely thanking Obama for his support during #Sandy. Yet the candidate he backs would do away with said support. Hmm.
— Frenchie/Fro Dameron (@lafemmeluna) October 30, 2012
@GovChristie Good, and keep in mind Romney would negatively impact your FEMA assistance!
— ?Jean Martha? (@TheJeanMartha) October 30, 2012
Pow! RT @kiaspeaks: Romney wants to end FEMA RT @rickklein: Christie called response by FEMA & Obama "outstanding" @GMA
— Krys McDonald, MDiv. (@whenkrysspeaks) October 30, 2012
https://twitter.com/Maggyw519/status/263279098560921600
Christie’s praise of Obama left a bad taste in many conservatives’ mouths:
What is Christie's problem today? Mention Romney and he says he doesn't give a damn about politics mention Obama says he is great
— Theresa Maurer (@TheresaMaurer2) October 30, 2012
@PoliticsZap If he's so "outstanding" perhaps Christie would like another 4 yrs of his crap! Why not just take an ad out for team Obama?
— Kevin Randall (@KevinRandall5) October 30, 2012
@PamelaSSellers Christie said NOTHING about Obama's leadership, he thanked him 4 ASSISTANCE. Obama remains a failed president & poor leader.
— Pete Vazquez (@PeteTheStorm) October 30, 2012
https://twitter.com/T_PartyInfantry/status/263253573759012864
https://twitter.com/RedGalBluState/status/263281658281734144
https://twitter.com/kents2cents/status/263256518655356929
https://twitter.com/DawnHendershot/status/263256852236750849
Chris Christie praising Obama & FEMA. Yuck.It's purely political Chris. Last gasp to look "presidential". Remember oil spill?
— BJ Theis (@HZ4FREEDOM) October 30, 2012
Some saw it as a diss of Mitt Romney and his efforts to contribute to disaster relief:
WTH ? RT @SAMROD2935: After Gov. Christie praises Obama for his leadership, he disses Romney for wanting to come and inspect the damage.
— p.j. Kansas (@pjkansas) October 30, 2012
@IngrahamAngle sounds like gov christie just threw romney under the bus on fox and friends
— GLENN (@GCGATOR24) October 30, 2012
But a few people pointed out that Christie was only responding as would be expected given that his state is receiving federal aid:
@politico Christie has no choice but praise Obama…he is afraid they won't help him if he doesn't.
— JEN CANNON (@cannon_jen) October 30, 2012
Ever think that maybe Gov Christie just wants to help people in his state? Dems, stop high 5ing his Obama praise. Crass. NJ is suffering
— Brad Dayspring (@BDayspring) October 30, 2012
Funny how many are "surprised" that Christie praised Obama for helping New Jersey respond to the storm. What did they expect him to to do?
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) October 30, 2012
And that Christie is merely grateful that the president is doing his job:
@NathanWurtzel yep. as though christie is like, "obama did what a president is supposed to do therefore _________."
— Ryan (@chasinghumility) October 30, 2012
Though Christie’s effusive praise for Obama may not be politically motivated, there’s no doubt that it could have some political impact, particularly with Election Day only one week out.
We can certainly agree with Governor Christie when he stresses the importance of coping with Hurricane Sandy and getting on the road to recovery. We continue to pray for those affected by this disaster.
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