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More Examples of Chris Christie Helping Republicans

by: huntsu

Mon Apr 23, 2007 at 10:14:59 PM EDT

( - promoted by thecontrarian)

Folks have been sending in some more events that Chris Christie attended at the behest of Republican elected officials, but so far we have no evidence of any Democrats inviting him to speak other than to the legislature.

Swearing in #1, Jan. 17, 2007
Westfield Councilwoman Nancy Malool sworn in by US Attorney Chris Christie We have Republican Councilwoman Nancy Malool being sworn in this January in Westfield. Word from our little birdie is that Linda Stender - who beat Malool in an Assembly race in 2005 - had been invited to swear people in and Malool wanted someone else. She invited the go-to guy, Chris Christie.

Swearing in #2, Jan. 4, 2007
We don't have a link for this story, but we have the text. Christie was invited to the Marlboro swearing in by Republican Mayor Robert Kleinberg, and of course used this return visit to the center of Operation Bid Rig to opine on replacing corrupt officials. "The solution is to elect better people to office," he said, the implication being that the slate of Republicans sworn in that day - by Christie himself - are the "better people" he was talking about.

Swearing in #3, Nov. 8, 2006
Christie took his usual "kick them out" rhetoric to new heights when he swore in newly elected Mount Olive Mayor David Scapicchio, a Republican. According to Fred Snowflack, "The swearing-in took place in front of a standing-room crowd of town employees, well-wishers and Republican officials."

Scapicchio was able to run in special election because the former Mayor, Democrat Richard De La Roche, had been removed in a recall effort. La Roche had committed no crime, had not been investigated by anyone (including Christie), but had apparently pissed off members of both parties. Yet here's how Christie characterized the removal of a Democrat and the installation of a Republican:

"Dave's election should be a beacon of hope for all the people in the state," Christie said as he swore the new mayor into office. Commending the recall organizers, Christie said they showed that "If you work together, you can change your government."

Why This Is Not a Good Thing
Christie is not only using his office to swear these people in, but adding his credibility to the people he swears in. This is the US Attorney who made his reputation busting public officials standing with a Bible inducting people into office.

Each time he stands there reading the oath of office for a politician he is essentially saying, "I bust bad guys, and I wouldn't be here with this wonderful elected official if he (or she) were a bad guy!"

These public events usually have pictures taken, like the one above with Westfield Councilwoman Malool, that can be put in newspapers, stuck in campaign literature, put on party websites, etc. These pictures and Christie's speeches can be used to extend the crusader image Christie has built for himself, putting a anti-corruption blanket over their actions and assisting in future reelection campaigns.

And, of course, Christie appears to only do this for Republicans.

Remember, 50 points to anyone who can find more examples of Republican sponsored events Christie spoke at this year when he called for kicking elected officials out of office. 100 points if you can find a Democratic sponsored event Christie spoke at. You can write bjhuntsu@gmail.com or put a link in the comments.

huntsu :: More Examples of Chris Christie Helping Republicans

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More Examples of Chris Christie Helping Republicans | 4 comments

Question (0.00 / 0)

Do U.S. Attorneys have the authority to conduct marriage ceremonies? And if they do, how about asking him to perform a civil union?

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." (Teddy Roosevelt)

by: DottieG @ Tue Apr 24, 2007 at 02:26:47 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Christie is a Republican (0.00 / 0)

Is it news that Christie was appointed by a Republican and is a member of the Republican Party?

What is with this obsession of making Christie look like one of the " bad guys"? It seems to be some sort of quest that gets further " out there" each day.

He never swore to be nonpartisan, what he swore was to go after the crooks in a nonpartisan way.

The insinuations here are getting comical. Because he swears in a Republican and then makes a speech about electing only " good" people that means that he is attacking Democrats? Get serious!

The average voter in this State would laugh at such arguments.

People are tired of talk. They want results. Christie has given them results.

If there is dirt on the man, put it out there.

But what I have read over the past few weeks simply appears to be some " Christie Haters" feeding off each other.

by: firstamend07 @ Tue Apr 24, 2007 at 10:42:10 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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I think you are missing the point (0.00 / 0)

We have repeatedly said that we are not trying to prove that Christie is INTENTIONALLY using his office for partisan gain, but that the way he IS using his office benefits Republicans and hurts Democrats.

We are not trying to prove he is a bad man, but that the manner in which he runs his office and his personal speaking tour ARE political in nature.

We're not trying to get him arrested, but to demonstrate that a person who is as natively political as Christie should either be reigned in by his Justice Department superiors, or should never have been in such a position in the first place.

The US Attorney's office is a political appointment, but should leave political activities at the door in order to avoid the appearance they are political or the affect of politicizing their work. We are trying to demonstrate that Christie has done both simply because of who who he is, and not through any malice of intent. There may be bad intent, but we can't prove it so won't bother.

And I think you are coming to these posts with your mind made up, and aren't actually reading them.

Because he swears in a Republican and then makes a speech about electing only " good" people that means that he is attacking Democrats?

We actually have, in the past couple day, laid out FIVE instances like this in the past six months. It's not "a Republican" and "a speech" but a series of Republicans and a series of speeches.

I agree that if he did one or two of these a year that would not be a story. But Christie has not only been to all these swearings in, but also doing town meetings with Republicans, going on 101.5, etc. The crowds for the induction ceremonies and the audience for the Jersey Guys are overwhelmingly conservative, and are predisposed to think Democrats are bad people. When he says throw the bums out, these audiences think "Democrat."

Take some time to read and think about what we are said instead of just discounting it automatically. Don't assume we are coming to conclusions that we are not putting down in words.

by: huntsu @ Tue Apr 24, 2007 at 11:11:10 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Partisan nuttery (4.00 / 1)

Thinking people certainly would NOT laugh at huntsu's diaries on this. Those who do show they'll believe an emporer has clothes just to go along with a crowd.

Christie is the lead federal *prosecutor* in this state. Why would he be swearing in elected Republican politicians? Judges and mayors swear in elected politicians, not prosecutors ... unless that prosecutor already is seen as wearing an elected crown of his own.

His use of paid public time aiding partisan activities instead of prosecuting criminals of both parties -- including prosecuting GOP instead of just suggesting they not run for re-election -- may violate the Hatch Act and constitute illegal activity on the prosecutor's part.

Christie's stumping is shameless and shocking. I'm thankful blogs have entered the media world to compete with MSM that doesn't do its job of digging out this stuff and asking the questions it should be asking.

by: Jim33 @ Tue Apr 24, 2007 at 12:43:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]