Gov. Chris Christie is taking a public relations hit from his New Jersey constituents, with recent polling showing that many in the state are negatively perceiving his eyes are on national office and not local affairs — and many more are wondering why he has to take so many political trips.
His weekend out-of-state trip to see the Dallas Cowboys best the Detroit Lions in the playoff matchup isn’t helping his image. Mr. Christie’s travels to Texas were paid for by Dallas owner Jerry Jones — and that has some watchdogs raising red flags over ethics.
“I saw him on TV in his red sweater, and I wondered, ’How did he get there?’ If [his travel costs were] an outright gift, he’s not getting it because he’s Joe Blow … he’s an important public figure,” said William Schluter, a former state lawmaker who fought for ethics reform and who also served as chairman of the state ethics commission, NJ.com reported. “Then, at the very least, [costs] should be fully disclosed. Goodness sakes, these are tremendous benefits that somebody is getting because of his position.”
Mr. Schluter did say that law does allow for a sitting governor to take gifts from friends. But he also questioned whether Mr. Jones was truly a friend of Mr. Christie’s, or simply an acquaintance who recognizes a solid power contact.
“The law is pretty clear that he can accept favors from a relative or a personal friend,” Mr. Schluter said, NJ.com reported, “but it begs the question: Is Jerry Jones a personal friend? Or is he someone who ight benefit from having the ability to seek a business favor from a person in a position of favor?”
NJ.com reported that New Jersey has given out more than $17 million in tax breaks and other benefits to the NFL to cover 2014 Super Bowl costs during Mr. Christie’s leadership.
Dallas game aside, Mr. Christie’s image with his constituency has taken a fall in recent months, due in large part to the polled perception that he seems more interested in the matters of national government and less in state affairs. The governor hits Florida on Tuesday for a political stop, then Massachusetts, South Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Iowa and Illinois in the coming days, USA Today reported.
“There are questions as to whether he’s dedicated to New Jersey issues and whether his head is in the game,” Patrick Murray, a pollster with Monmouth University, told USA Today. “The perception is that he’s just trying to paper over the cracks now.”
A Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll in September showed 75 percent of New Jersey residents believe Mr. Christie is seeking higher office. Of that, 39 percent said his travel has hurt his ability to govern well, USA Today reported.
Mr. Murray, meanwhile, said New Jerseyans also doubt Mr. Christie is serious about fixing the state’s pension system, or roads, and that the governor angered voters by vetoing a pig welfare bill in December — a measure championed by Democrats and praised by Iowa’s governor, USA Today said.
“The governor chose to follow the dictates of special interests in Iowa,” said Sen. Raymond Lesniak, the Democrat sponsor of the pig welfare bill, on the governor’s veto, USA Today reported.
But Mr. Christie is non-apologetic. He said he has plans to travel to Wisconsin to watch the Cowboys play against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, despite the criticisms.
“In my opinion, everyone is entitled to follow their favorite team,” said John Currie, the chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, in USA Today. “The problem is New Jersey has a governor that regularly abandons our state, travels on the taxpayer dime and promotes policies that undermine the general welfare of our communities,” said John Currie, chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, in USA Today.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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