Christie on Booker: 'an indispensable partner'
By Max Pizarro | November 16th, 2012 - 1:54pm
| More

NEWARK – They did a skit together, they did the whole Batman and Bulldog act throughout the early days of 2% cap, and now as the state’s political classes pray for one of the two of them to throw a punch – the love goes on untrammeled.

“This is the most satisfying day of my governorship – by far,” said Christie, convening a press conference here to celebrate the local teachers’ embrace of a new contract that includes the Christie-endorsed merit pay based on student performance.

Mayor Cory Booker sat in the front row with other elected officials.

He’s the Democrats’ best big money shot to dethrone Christie, in the view of many observers of New Jersey politics.

“An indispensable partner,” Christie described Booker, who is said to be in mulling mode about his own gubernatorial 2013 bid with Democrats begging him to take the leap and elbow Christie out of office.

“Mayor Booker has stood up eloquently every step of the way for the children of this city,” Christie exclaimed.

The GOP governor went on to compliment other “Indispensable partners” present, including Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, state Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz (D-29), and Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-29).

“All these people are milestones – and indispensable partners,” Christie said.

Booker told WBGO this week he intends to make a decision by mid December about governor, blaming the storm for throwing off his timing.

Insiders close to the mayor have from the start said Booker’s and Christie’s mutual association with Educational Excellence for Everyone (E3) joins them at the hip to about 100 donors, a financial fact that makes it especially tough for Booker to gain at least obvious traction against Christie.

Wake-Up Call

Morning Digest: June 18, 2013

DiVincenzo bestows award on McGreevey Days after endorsing Republican Gov. Chris Christie, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. made a beeline for the Essex County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Advisory Board for an appearance with former Democratic Gov. James McGreevey. PolitickerNJ http://www.politickernj.com/66524/divincenzo-bestows-award-former-gov-mcgreevey-lgbtq-pride-month-celebration   Whelan backs Booker...

Op-Ed

Bowser's Farewell

BY BOB BOWSER To the citizens of the great city of East Orange, I am eternally grateful that you have allowed me to serve as your Mayor for the past sixteen years. As a community of concerned citizens, you have been willing participants in... Read More >

Contributors

 “On the House side, John Boehner intends to prove the crony capitalist critique of the GOP correct.  He’ll vote for a bloated farm bill that subsidizes, funds, and kicks... more »
Can a solution to our coastline’s vulnerability be found in a 300-by-12-foot wave tank in Hoboken? At Stevens Institute of Technology, researchers at the Center for Maritime Systems are... more »
(6-12-2013) All Hands on Deck at Rutgers: Skilled Team Needed to Manage PR and Legal Fallout - While Rutgers has already cleaned house by firing men’s basketball... more »
Why Gov. Christie Called a Special Election (6/4/13) - “For all of you who were bored with the governor’s race, I have solved your problems.”... more »

Quote of the Day

Quote of the day

“I haven’t made up my mind whether to do that." - Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-34) on whether she will seek a third term as speaker.

- The Bergen Record

Poll

Who would win this gubernatorial Democratic Primary match-up?
Barbara Buono
75%
Peter Shapiro
25%

Resources

Visit the PolitickerNJ.com/resources page for links to the best collection of information on New Jersey state government.

 

  • Polls
  • The best blogs
  • Columnists
  • State election results
  • Assembly election results
  • Local party websites
  • And more.

PolitickerNJ.com/resources