Chris Christie, New Jersey’s blunt-talking governor, didn’t stand on patient ceremony with a press conference heckler, telling the Superstorm Sandy critic to sit down and keep his opinions to himself.
Actually, the governor — unhappy at the public critique of his state’s hurricane monies — told the man to “sit down and shut up,” The Star-Ledger reported.
The back-and-forth at the Belmar, New Jersey, conference began when a heckler, Jim Keady, jumped into Mr. Christie’s speech, criticizing his disbursement of hurricane funds and holding up a sign that read, “Finish the Job” — an apparent slam of the seeming hold-up of funds, Fox News said.
Mr. Keady, a former Asbury Park city councilman and now activist, then yelled, “Do your job!” Fox News reported.
Mr. Christie met the criticism head-on.
“I’ll be more than happy to have a debate with you anytime you like, guy, because somebody like you doesn’t know a damn thing about what you’re talking about except to stand up and show off when the cameras are here,” he said, the news outlet reported. “I’ve been here when the cameras aren’t here, buddy, and done the work. … Turn around, get your 15 minutes of fame and then, maybe, take your jacket off, roll up your sleeves and do something for the people of this state.”
Mr. Keady tried to interject and explain how he’s been in the area since a month after Sandy hit — but Mr. Christie cut him off, Fox News said.
“And there’s been 23 months since then, when all you’ve been doing is flapping your mouth and not doing anything,” the governor said. “So listen, you want to have the conversation later? I’m happy to have it, buddy. But until that time, sit down and shut up.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.