Chris Christie making the rounds again

Today at Miller Park in Milwaukee Christie, a bowl of nachos in hand tried to act tough to a Cubs fan. Johnny promises you this guv, if you'd have tried that tough guy act at met Life you'd be wearing those nachos.

Bridgegate hits Ward E; Christie's minions approached Candice Osborne for support

We'll end any and all speculation -- she told them NO.

The best political reporter anywhere, Terrence T. McDonald points out Osborne's name came up when Christie operative Matt Mowers asked to meet with Osborne around the same time Christie was trying to get Mayor Fulop's support (Which Fulop did not give) to see who in a big city like Jersey City they could get support from:

Mowers said he and Christie campaign staffer Pete Sheridan sat down with the Downtown councilwoman in August 2013 on the recommendation of Fulop and the mayor's political advisers.

"They believed she was going to endorse Gov. Christie's re-election campaign," Mowers testified. "And they thought Mayor Fulop wanted to be helpful towards the governor's campaign, or seem helpful while also not endorsing himself."

Johnny wonders why the hell they'd think that, as Osborne herself pointed out to them but you'll have to click this handy link to see her response to Mowers and Sheridan. Couple questions do arise, why Fulop would send them to Osborne if he wasn't planning on endorsing or supporting Christie, the Candice Osborne Johnny knows would have no interest in helping Chris Christie. Also, did Osborne know her name had the possibility of popping up in Bridgegate at any point? Inquiring minds and all. If so that info is best gotten out ahead of moments like this.

The real story here though, and as usual in this story, is just how bad Christie's people were at reading people.

Paul Mulshine, for the win

Star-Ledger columnist Paul Mulshine skewers Christie as Dallas fan and "friend" of Jerry Jones yet handing out HUGE contracts to his company through the Port Authority in a column today. He also touches on how out-of-touch Christie is with the idea of closing PATH late nights. Paul Mulshine, for the win.

Scott Stringer is Manhattan Borough president, he thinks we here in New Jersey aren't paying enough to use NYC

My Garden State friends, you're going to love this one.

Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough president wrote to the Star-Ledger and said we here in New Jersey are simply not paying our full load of commuter taxes. Stringer proposed that we start by following his plan to get us to pay our share for MTA:

That’s why I’ve proposed a broad-based plan to repair our regional transportation network — a plan that, yes, includes restoration of a commuter tax that New Jersey residents, who worked in New York City, paid for 30 years prior to 1999.


Back then, the commuter tax flowed into the city’s general fund. But under my plan, the revenue would be dedicated to the MTA, the central nervous system of our regional transit network and a system that some 7 million riders — many of them Jerseyans — rely on every day to get around New York City.


Isn't this precious? WE should pay more and put that money into the MTA, Johnny will say that again, the MTA coffers with zero mention of PATH getting any of that. In fact, if you read Stringer's entire letter, you'll see very little on PATH getting much of this pie at all. Does the #7 MTA train pull into Weehawken yet? No? Then Scott, go shake Governor Christie's tree and get that new tunnel done so we can talk about Garden Staters paying for MTA improvements by some way other than paying fares. Our governor loves surprises, by all means try and bring it up at a presser. Be insistent and be ready to talk over him.

Is New Jersey now supposed to impose a tax on the 119,000 New Yorkers who come to New Jersey to work everyday for OUR infrastructure? Well? Know where a tax like that might come in handy for New Jersey? New toll booths from NYC towards the New Meadowlands that run only on Jets and Giants gamedays.

PATH is supported already by BOTH New Jersey and New York. It does not have the financial challenges that MTA has. Port Authority Trans Hudson. It gets both NJ and NY as well as Federali dollars. PATH is better run and now you want to pick PATH riders pockets whether or not they even get on an MTA subway when they get off at say 14th St?

Scott, go ahead and introduce your legislation. We hope it gets you the attention you're seeking so you can one day run for higher office. We over here have very little faith your plan will be adopted. 

Democrats and Republicans and the private sector working together?

Ah yes, 2012, well played Mayans...

In fact it is true, Republican Governor Chris Christie and Democratic Senator Robert Menendez and Jersey City Democratic Mayor Jerramiah Healy, along with the LeFrak family helped open the new Newport Green "Urban Beach" here in Jersey City, a 4 acre park at Newport overlooking the Hudson River.

The park idea was begun under Governor Tom Kean way back when and will include a huge play park for kids and nice open grassy areas with a tip top view along with a wonderful sand area which puts the B in beach. Please, for the good of mankind however, use the wading pools and sprinklers at Newport Green if you're hot, please don't get an urge to cool off in the Hudson River.

Said Governor Christie “This is a perfect example of what can be done when visionary members of the private sector work with the public sector who believe government can have a role.”

He then added "Get the hell on the beach." Really, he did.

We don't normally spend a lot of time defending Chris Christie....

But when Caribou Barbie starts calling Christie a "rookie" and saying he's "making rookie mistakes" over his criticism of Newt Gingrich on behalf of his new BFF Mittens Romney we feel the need to clarify some things for Mrs. Palin.

First off Moosealini, you QUIT halfway through your term. Up and quit when the going got tough. Say what you want about Chris Christie but he doesn't run from a fight or a challenge. Then to say of our Governor, no doubt trying to make a bodily comparison, "Well, you kind of get your panties in a wad..." we get it Sarah. We see what you're TRYING to accomplish. If someone had said this about you, you'd be on the Hannity show complaining you're a victim of sexism.

Next off Sarah, while you were a drag on the 2008 GOP ticket, Chris Christie would be a plus. Here are a few of your "rookie mistakes" Mrs. Palin and think next time you---er wait, nevermind...

*Earning your family the name 'The Wasilla Hillbillies' -- Perhaps the most dangerous allegation for Palin are reports in The New York Times and Newsweek that when she was urged by McCain adviser Nicole Wallace to buy three suits for the Republican convention and three suits for the campaign trail, she went on the now-infamous shopping spree at swank stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. There is one comment in particular from a McCain aide that guaranteed to heighten friction between the two camps. The angry aide described the Palin family shopping spree to Newsweek as "Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast."

*Despite warnings from the McCain camp taking a phone call from French President Nicholas Sarkozy which turned out to be a radio station prank.

*Not knowing Africa is a continent

*Not knowing which three North American nations are in NAFTA.

*Demanding to make your OWN concession speech Nov. 4, 2008

*When asked what the Vice President does (Remember she's now running for this office) said "[T]hey’re in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom."

Oh boy oh boy oh boy.....Governor Christie, yes, we are thankful you're not this bimbo eruption.

So the old ARC tunnel didn't get built but Gateway Tunnel in the exact same spot will be

And look at all the politicians lining up to accept credit. Of course the most surprising is Governor Lumpy Rutherford Christie. "Mommy said said I was against it before I was for it but it still got built I'm the smart one here". Yeah, uh, except Lumpy weren't these very issues of cutting New Jersey's financial skin in the game concerns when the Secretary of Transportation, Republican Ray LaHood met with you and promised to help cover any overruns (ok probable overruns, we know how things work in New Jersey lets not be rubes here)? So you blustered and began a piquish (is that a word? It is now) attempt to then refuse to pay money this state legally had to pay back if someone, um, like a governor cancelled the plan as a grandstanding move.

So, now the Amtrak and NJ Transit commuter tunnel will be built and end under Macy's at 34th St. The two US Senators who were behind this plan all the way and went to the mat for it, Senators Menendez and Lautenberg deserve some credit for taking a stand on a position, not changing it and seeing that vision through. We have issues with both of them on other matters but in this case they were right and stuck to their beliefs unlike Lumpy Christie.

Well, Governor Out-of-State is going to kill the new Hudson River tunnel again

Despite being shown the cost overrun is not as massive as the one Chris Christie invents in his own head of 5.3 billion (in actuality it's only around 1 billion and Christie knows this), Governor Gone, who yesterday was all about helping the GOP raise money in Indiana, is going to once again cancel the Hudson River train tunnel unless somebody else (read Obama Administration whom Christie will then blast for spending) pays for it. See, so it's really not about spending or deficits or any of that. So long as somebody else pays for it, Governor Christie is OK with the tunnel project.

As we've clearly seen these past couple months Chris Christie is not about personal responsibility, he's sure not about creating jobs, and he's really not that into serving the New Jersey taxpayers whom he claims to love because if he did he MIGHT spend some work days IN the state of New Jersey not off galavanting the nation looking to promote his own cause. Seriously Guv, how many days have you spent on the road these last few weeks? People here need JOBS (which this tunnel project would have provided in spades), not some bloviating angry white guy looking to settle scores and promote himself.

Get your head out of your behind and start acting like a governor for ALL the people of New Jersey, Chris.

Governor Christie has a re-think over killing the Hudson River tunnel project

And thank god for that. This tunnel project means jobs NOW and means profits yes for Christie's base (the land barons) later. It means less cars in and out of NYC and more places to start businesses here in New Jersey at the outlets of this transportation tunnel. We are so pleased U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was able to get at least a two week stay of execution for the project (which we think means they'll have alternative ways to fund this to make Governor Christie happier). This project is bigger than Christie's personal beliefs and yes, we also believe his posturing before he joins the GOP field for president in 2012. This project was envisioned as far back as 1957, an additional tunnel to the main hub at Penn Station in NYC.

We spend the amount of the cost overruns Christie is worried about per WEEK in Iraq (Um, Chris, who got us into Iraq? Your former boss did that's who and you weren't worried about the cost THEN). This project is vital to the needs of this state and we hope somehow it gets back on track and done. Forward thinking societies find ways to make projects like this happen.

If it's the first Saturday in May, it must be the Jersey City Derby!!

So ladies put on those crazy hats, gentlemen start pounding those Pabst Blue Ribbons (no mint juleps allowed here) and get those $2 paramutual bets down.

Here is a clip from last year's race won by 'Jerry Healy' who ran away with the race on the backstretch over 'Cammarano's Cutlery', 'Chris Christie goobermint piggy' and 'Beldini at the Brownstone'. What an exciting race.

Head on over to Jersey City Downs, over by Journal Square near Kennedy Blvd for the 5:20 pm post time.

Chris Christie does it again -- Blames teachers and school administrators for the walkouts

Not that kids can have minds of their own, not that kids really can understand important issues; Governor Chris Christie out and out BLAMED school administrators for encouraging kids to walk out to protest HIS choice of words and positions on school millage elections. Kids could never just think of this on their own Christie is saying, they HAD to have had help.

Guv, do you even know what Facebook is? Did you even think to do ANY reading at all about the students in New Jersey Facebook page that planned this walkout? No, no you didn't, you immediately fell back to your 'blame everyone else' for not supporting your controversial policies. THIS Mr. Christie, is the height of arrogance. #1 you sell students short. You think New Jersey students are brainless little things that only do what the teachers tell them to do. That's a nice opinion to have of the children whose best interests YOU as Governor are supposed to help uplift and educate. #2 you are perilously close to parroting your former benefactor, one George W. Bush, when you claim people are either with you or they are to be marginalized.

You need to stop being so thin skinned Mr. former Federal Prosecutor and understand not everyone will agree with you. You need to address the corporate welfare happening in New Jersey, something you have failed to do thus far. THAT would help cut the budget deficit a hell of a lot more than having teachers freeze their pay for one year. No, that wouldn't work for you, teachers have unions which you hate. The robber barons who support you and you support in your words and deeds are where you can balance the budget.

We won't hold our collective breath for you to move on the top 1% of earners here in the Garden State as part of our 'shared sacrifice'.

The Jersey City Desk would like to congratulate the high schoolers who walked out of class in protest of Governor Christie's attack on school funding

Somewhere along the line Gov. Chunky McDonuts had a bad teacher or two and now wants to exact some kind of adult budgetary revenge. This much is obvious. Sure times are hard in New Jersey right now. Yes we face HUGE budget issues. In our opinion education is the last place you cut. That's exactly what these kids were questioning and protesting about. They realize that when their most basic needs as students are cut, education suffers. We here were most pleased at the efficiency of the social networking that went on inside the schools and school-to-school in order to make these walkout protests so successful. We are pleased at the above board response and the fact the kids didn't use this as some lame "I'm skipping class look at me" event. These students were serious and KNOWLEDGEABLE about this process. Johnny wouldn't want to go to a school where each class had 45-50 students because teachers had to be cut. Johnny wouldn't want to go to a school where 15-20 year old textbooks are the norm because budget cuts or freezes require no new books be purchased. Johnny wouldn't want to go to school where bus service is cut to the point his parents MUST drive him.

Governor McDonuts urged New Jersey voters to vote down local millages if teachers didn't accept one year pay freezes. Even when towns had teachers accept this freeze, McDonuts DID NOT make any kind of special dispensation for that town or have any kind of message to those local voters that YES, this district did accept pay freezes, go ahead and vote FOR the local measure. No, he didn't do that which to us is the height of irresponsibility in messaging. Christie wanted them all to fail and judging by his 'no comment' on how he voted (way to stand up there and take accountability for your words and actions there Guv) he most likely wanted them to fail in pay freeze districts for his own political expediency.

Well done students. Your next lesson is to find Gov. Christie's house on Google Earth and surround his home with your message, he'll be inside poking his "teechur"voodoo doll with pins.

When is a retirement not really a retirement?

Why when individuals can soak Jersey City taxpayers for coming back three weeks later as 'consultants'.

Yep, retire from your job, get a huge severance package and then three weeks later come back to the trough and start soaking up even more taxpayer money when you become a consultant. Jersey City Assistant Business Administrator Roger Grego and Chief of Administrative Services Kathy Dealy both retired February 1st. Both have now come back to accept lucrative jobs as consultants to in Jersey City. Now the state of New Jersey (and we doubt we'll agree on much with Chris Christie but we sure do here) is looking into this set up and are looking to see if this is at worst not legal and second a tremendous waste of taxpayer monies. One thing we don't need here in Jersey City right now are highly paid consultants.

Since we're getting a new governor next week we're gonna need a snarky nickname

And with Chris Christie we has some obvious fodder for snark. We were wondering if you'd perhaps like to suggest some cool nickname we might use when his name comes up in discussion.

Primary Day in New Jersey

In the blue corner you can choose between Democratic candidates Governor Jon Corzine, Roger Bacon, Carl Bergmanson and Jeff Boss. In the red corner you can choose between Republican candidates Chris Christie and Steve Lonegan.

Corzine is a shoo-in most likely but on the Republican ticket it promises to be closer.

Go get out there and VOAT!!

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorses Chris Christie for New Jersey Governor

Really, does this matter to anyone? Do endorsements like this change any votes? Other than having the bad taste to endorse Christie outside the apartment complex in Hoboken where current Governor John Corzine lives, will Rudy have any impact? One question The Jersey City Desk has is does Rudy's BFF Bernie Kerik also support Christie? If Christie does become Garden State Governor we'd hope he'd be one helluva lot smarter and make better decisions than Rudy Giuliani did.