Snow storms can have a big effect on politics. Big snow storms can cause all kinds of problems – like travel disruptions and power outages and can take a while to clean out from if the weather stays cold. It’s the type of crisis where people like to see their politicians out and responding to emergencies. That’s why Chris Christie’s decision to go on vacation to Disney World on Sunday is puzzling.
A Democratic lawmaker is questioning why both Gov. Chris Christie and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno are out of state at the same time, leaving Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) as the state’s acting governor during a blizzard that paralyzed the state.
“We clearly made a mistake if we created the office lieutenant governor and wasted money if the lieutenant governor is not going to be here when the governor is out of state,” said state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union). “It’s being handled very well by Sen. Sweeney, but you have to really question the purpose of the office.”
Christie in on vacation with his family at Disney World in Florida, while Guadagno is with her family in Mexico, Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said. Sunday, hours after taking the oath to become acting governor, Sweeney declared a state of emergency.
That’s right – both the governor and the newly-created lt governor are on vacation while the State Senate President runs the state response. Contrast Christie’s indifference with that of Newark Mayor Cory Booker. People on Twitter have started calling Booker “Superman.” He’s been personally responding emergencies in the city – delivering diapers to a mother who can’t leave her house, shoveling streets, and waiting for emergency responders for a mother in labor.
I know Christie is a rising star in conservative and media circles but his indifference to the plight of everyday New Jerseyans during the storm sure puts his bullying You Tube videos in perspective, doesn’t it? Chris Christie doesn’t care about New Jerseyans. I don’t know how he could make it any clearer.