Christie's Curious Response
We noted yesterday the latest pitfall in what has been a tough few weeks for Republican gubernatorial hopeful Chris Christie -- four-year-old tickets for speeding and driving an unregistered vehicle. Today, his campaign is downplaying the news with a series of mock "Breaking News" alerts to reporters about other "minor" transgressions. Here's a list:
- "BREAKING NEWS: Christie Spotted Taking a Penny, Not Leaving a Penny"
- "BREAKING NEWS: Christie Admits to Borrowing Lunch Money in 3rd Grade"
- "BREAKING NEWS: Christie Spotted Removing Tag from Mattress"
- "BREAKING NEWS: Christie Asked to Leave Movie Theatre for Talking on Cell Phone"
His campaign is inviting supporters to tweet other joke transgressions, with the hash-tag "#notnews." They've even produced faux newscast on YouTube.
Democrats don't find it so funny, however, and three different campaign committees are teeing off.
From the Corzine campaign:
"They may think it's funny, but a federal prosecutor using their power to pressure local law enforcement into giving them preferential treatment is no laughing matter. In fact, several public officials in New Jersey have been forced to resign over the very same thing. At the end of the day, it is more and more evident that Christie has always had one set of rules for himself and another for everyone else."
From the Democratic Governors Association:
"Aside from how desperate and tone deaf all of these emails are, the most telling aspect is that the Christie campaign doesn't seem to understand that voters hate when a candidate has one set of rules for himself and another for them."
And now, the DNC -- focusing on what they call a "bizarre" YouTube video:
"The Christie campaign must have produced their new ad over the last few days while avoiding questions about Christie's law breaking conversations with Karl Rove, his secret loans and a mysterious traffic stop. Instead of mocking the news, maybe they could spend their time answering the people's questions about the important issues facing New Jersey. The only thing that's a mockery is Chris Christie lecturing anyone about ethics."
On a serious note, the Christie camp also released a new television ad today, featuring Obama voters who say they're backing Christie. You can check it out after the jump.
FEMALE #1: I have lived in New Jersey all my life.
MALE #1: But between the taxes.
FEMALE #2: Unemployment.
FEMALE #3: The spending.
MALE #2: The corruption.
MALE #1: Jon Corzine just seems out of touch.
FEMALE #4: A failure.
FEMALE #2: He's got every excuse in the book.
MALE #3: Now he's just throwing mud.
FEMALE #5: Corzine promised to cut taxes.
FEMALE #6: He raised them instead.
MALE #2: He tried to raise tolls 800%.
MALE #1: Corzine promised ethics reform.
FEMALE #4: Again he didn't deliver.
FEMALE #7: Last year I voted for Obama.
FEMALE #8: Because I wanted change.
FEMALE #7: This year I'm supporting Christie.
MALE #2: Chris Christie.
CHRISTIE: So do you want to change Trenton?
FEMALE #9: I want to change Trenton.
FEMALE #2: We can start by changing Governors.