Chris Christie Responds to New York Times Editorial, "If They Don't Like It, Too Bad"

On October 29th, The New York Times, issued a scathing editorial imploring Governor of New Jersey Chris Chris to drop out of the 2016 Presidential race and return to governing his state. According to Fox News Insider, the governor had plenty to say in response, saying, "if they don't like it, too bad." Christie said the Times didn't like him because he was "a successful Republican in a blue state--a state right next door to them." Bill O'Reilly and the New York Times asserted, in contrast to the Governor's statements, that he was not successful. The Times said that the Governor's presidential bid was nothing more than a "vanity project" and that "New Jersey is in trouble."

To these assertions, Christie responded, "The people of New Jersey have determined that I'm successful. They elected me twice. And 61% of the vote last time, 51% of the Hispanic vote--and so--and 2/3 of Independents, so...If The New York Times hates me, that means I'm really getting some place."

At this point in the awkward and sometimes terse interview on The O'Reilly Factor, Bill asserted that the moderators and The New York Times did not like the governor because he was "authoritarian." Perhaps Bill meant to say "authoritative," as he qualified it after Governor Christie's surprised reaction with "you make judgments." However, "authoritarian" is a word that the New York Times may not have had a problem with in their description of the Governor's handling of his state.

The editorial stated, "This isn't strictly about Mr. Christie's fitness for the presidency. His role in New Jersey's budget crisis, betrayal on affordable housing and the interlocking scandals on his watch, from Bridgegate to "the chairman's flight," say a great deal about that." The editorial board went on to say, "While Mr. Christie talks tough to empty rooms in Des Moines, Trenton is running on autopilot. Take Mr. Christie's breakout moment, his response to Hurricane Sandy. Today, one-third of New Jersey residents hardest-hit by the storm say they are 'very dissatisfied' with the state's response so far; two-thirds say they feel 'forgotten'.... His state battered by Hurricane Sandy and his party riven by the Tea Party, he sought needed federal assistance, and if that meant embracing a Democratic president, so what. 'So what?"' was a positive Christie characteristic back then. One could disagree with his methods, but he managed to make his efforts on behalf of his state seem sincere."

While the Governor's poll numbers remain in the single digits, his debate performance may help raise his profile and prolong his campaign longer in the primaries than the New York Times thinks is advisable.

Tags

Chris Christie, Fox News, 2016 Presidential Race