
At a press availability originally meant to promote the filing of his nominating petitions for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, Christopher Christie demonstrated some mighty thin skin when he launched an attack on PolitickerNJ.com after New Jersey Network reporter Michael Aron questioned the former U.S. Attorney on allegations made in an Op-Ed written by Richard LaRossa, former two-term Republican State Senator.
"Those people who are on the Kushner-owned web site, I've never been on their holiday card. Ever since I sent Kushner to jail, my coverage on PolitickerNJ.com has not been sterling," said Christie. "While I'm sure there are lots of good, well-intentioned people there, the editorial policy has not been favorable since I sent Charles Kushner to jail."
Longtime readers like Christie understand that this web site does not place any editorial restrictions on unpaid contributors. Content is provided exactly as submitted, without any editing or restrictions. Contributors from both parties, and from academia, are free to express their complete opinions, without fear of having the opinion stifled.
Christie's primary opponent, Steven Lonegan, was a PolitickerNJ.com contributor until he entered the race for Governor late last year. His column was removed in order to obviate any appearance of a conflict while he was a candidate, and he is welcome back after the campaign - win or lose. Lonegan's posts don't necessarily reflect the views of this web site, but were posted as submitted.
Christie objected to a submission by LaRossa regarding a federal probe of his brother, which was dismissed in a different jurisdiction while he was the federal prosecutor. The U.S. Attorney from New York who handled Todd Christie's case later received a no-bid federal monitor contract from Chris Christie's office. If Christie wins the GOP nomination, he can certainly expect Democrats to bring the issue up.
Paul Mulshine, a conservative Star-Ledger columnist, was also the target of Christie's mini-meltdown. Christie said, with great personal sadness, Mulshine's column on federal monitors "ruined my ability to enjoy my son's baseball game with a smile on my face." One Republican insider said that Christie was also upset with Star-Ledger reporter Josh Margolin, who quoted former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli in a story about the political ethics of Christie's donors.
During his seven years as U.S. Attorney, Christie had the benefit of being able to answer only those questions he felt comfortable with, secure that when it came to the media, he was holding nearly all of the cards. Recent news stories about his campaign contributions from Herbert Stern, the recipient of a $3 million no-bid federal monitor contract, seems to have upset the would-be Governor. The stories have appeared in most of the state's daily newspapers, although this website was the first to report it.
As for PolitickerNJ.com, we stand by the fairness of our coverage. This website has been tough on many public figures, including Jon "Hold Me Accountable" Corzine, Lonegan, and even Brian D. Levine.
Morning News Digest: May 24, 2012By Missy RebovichTry State Street Wire, Follow PolitickerNJ on Twitter and Facebook. Text "PNJ" to 89800 to receive alerts In News 12 debate in Teaneck, Pascrell hounds Rothman on decision not to face Garrett After diving into a five-month slugfest...
A fundraiser for embattled Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo has been cancelled, according to a source close to event coordinator Bob Mule.
Read More >By Roberto Muñiz The NJ Department of Health and Human Services has documented the many financial abuses in the adult day care system, reporting numerous providers who have scammed Medicaid to reap small fortunes off the backs of taxpayers. Negative... Read More >
Visit the PolitickerNJ.com/resources page for links to the best collection of information on New Jersey state government.
"Wow." - U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9), in response to U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman's assertion that Pascrell could have moved out of the district to challenge U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen.
- PolitickerNJ.com
Press releases are submitted by PolitickerNJ users, not by staff. They do not represent the viewpoint of PolitickerNJ.com.