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.
