CHRISTIE DISSES PALIN, STUMPS WITH OTHER TOP REPUBLICANS

CHRISTIE DISSES PALIN, STUMPS WITH OTHER TOP REPUBLICANS

TRENTON- Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan today blasted Right Wing Conservative gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie for his hypocrisy in refusing the assistance of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, while continuing to accept the support of numerous high-profile, out-of-state right wing Republicans.
 
In a radio interview earlier today, Christie told 101.5 that he would not invite Palin to campaign with him. Christie added that he hoped former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani would continue to support him, but did not mention his upcoming events with GOP Chairman Michael Steele, the multiple campaign events with failed presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney or the negative advertising he continues to accept from South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford’s Republican Governor’s Association. Christie did not clarify if his refusal to bring Palin in for public visits would rule out future private fundraisers with the former Alaska governor.
 
 “Christie’s hypocrisy is astounding,” said Cryan. “Does he actually believe that Rudy, Romney and Steele know anything more about the issues important to New Jersey voters than Sarah Palin? Christie’s explanation falls flat and opens many more questions than provides answers. Why isn’t Christie touting Romney’s and Steele’s visits the same way he is promoting Rudy’s? Will Christie also refuse to accept Palin’s help for private fundraisers?”
 
Christie’s comments today are surprising considering just days ago GOP Chairman Michael Steele followed up the failed vice presidential candidate’s bizarre resignation announcement by saying she "will be very helpful to the party this year as we wage critical campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey."
 
Although Christie told 101.5 that he would decline to offer Sarah Palin an invitation to campaign with him because he wants to “focus on what the New Jersey issues are,” he made an exception for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Christie did not specify why he would make the exception for Giuliani, who has stumped with Christie several times already during the campaign.
 
Christie has an extensive list of notable exceptions that he left out of his 101.5 interview in addition to Giuliani. All share many of the right wing positions that Christie has campaigned on, including opposition to a woman’s right to choose and gun control legislation to protect children and keep our streets safe. Palin is no exception there. And like Christie, the former Alaska Governor would also reject much of the federal funds provided by President Obama’s economy recovery package.
 
Despite Christie telling 101.5, “But other than [Giuliani], I think the people of New Jersey have to hear from me,” Christie will be hitting the campaign trail with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele in just a few days. The ultraconservative Steele will be making multiple stops with Christie on Monday, July 13.
 
Giuliani isn’t the only failed 2008 presidential candidate to campaign with Christie. Christie brought the self-proclaimed “conservative’s conservative” and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney to New Jersey to campaign with him twice within a matter of weeks. Even though Christie felt Romney’s voice was important enough for New Jersey to hear only days before the Republican primary and to kick off Christie’s general election campaign last month, if Christie is true to his word, Romney has now been booted from Christie’s list of acceptable campaigners.
 
Christie has also refused to denounce the Mark Sanford led Republican Governor’s Association while continuing to accept their advertising support. Christie embraced Sanford’s support since the primary, with the RGA running negative ads distorting Governor Corzine’s record.
 
“Christie’s far-right agenda, which he shares with all of these Republicans, is wrong for New Jersey,” said Cryan. “He may have told 101.5 that Rudy was the only out-of-state right wing conservative he trusted to speak for him and loudly slammed the door on Palin, but he is quietly leaving it open for any other big-name national Republican who wants to help him.”