( - 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
 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. |
