Ashcroft in heated exchange with Sanchez
By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter
John Ashcroft displays copies of The Record to defend Chris Christie's corruption-busting record: Getty Images Photo
WASHINGTON -- In a combative exchange with Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), former Attorney General John Ashcroft jumped to U.S. Attorney Chris Christie’s defense.
After Sanchez asked whether the selection process complied with the type of guidelines the Justice Department laid out yesterday, Ashcroft said that she was implying that Christie was a “law violator.”
“I really don’t believe that Mr. Christie is a law violator. His record as a prosecutor is an outstanding record,” Ashcroft said.
Ashcroft then held up two copies of Bergen Record headlines about Christie’s public corruption convictions and insinuated that there were partisan motivations behind today’s hearing.
“He’s made a major reputation attacking public corruption, and for this committee to attack him is inappropriate,” said Ashcroft. “Here’s Mr. Christie’s record in the newspaper. 140 convictions. No wonder New Jersey’s politicians are nervous.”
Ashcroft also reinforced that his monitorship is paid completely by private corporations, not taxpayers.
"This hearing costs far more in tax dollars than my monitorship will cost in tax dollars, because not a thin dime is public money," he said.
Ashcroft stayed through the first hour of the hearing before leaving to catch a flight to a speaking engagement.
Contributors
Wally Edge
South Jersey Democrats are touting Cinnaminson native Anthony Mazzarelli, the head of the emergency medicine department at Cooper University ... >
Bob Torricelli
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
The NJ gubernatorial election result demonstrates that Governor-elect Chris Christie resurrected the center-right voter coalition of Republicans, ... >
Richard LaRossa
With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >
Alan Steinberg
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
Carla Katz
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Joey Novick
There has been a lot of talk about putting the issue of marriage equality on the ballot in New Jersey. This is something that Assemblywoman ... >
Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- Christie transition team members to assume more specified roles tomorrow
- Sources: Watson Coleman still seeking speaker's chair
- Between two Tuesdays ago and next Monday: welcome to Atlantic City
- DiVincenzo: if anyone can straighten out N.J., it's Christie
- Sweeney subs for sitting senate president at On the Record taping
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- Runyan meeting with Gilmore this morning
- Marlboro mayor won't rule out '13 bid for governor
- Exploring congressional bid, Runyan meets with Gilmore
- DiVincenzo to launch re-election campaign next month
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- Exploring congressional bid, Runyan meets with Gilmore
- Sweeney subs for sitting senate president at On the Record taping
- Bergen County prepares for the unusual: Republican Freeholders
- Sources: Watson Coleman still seeking speaker's chair
- DiVincenzo to launch re-election campaign next month
- NJ 101.5 listeners backed Christie 2-1 over Corzine, according to new poll
- Weinberg to Sweeney: honor your committment on marriage equality
- DiVincenzo: if anyone can straighten out N.J., it's Christie
- New Jersey celebrity athlete candidates have mixed records
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"An Irish wake." -- New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittell, on Senate President Richard Codey's party in Atlantic City.
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 20 2009
- Nov 20 2009
- Nov 19 2009
Syndicate
