Chris Christie criticizes DeSantis for snubbing Biden during Florida visit.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Criticizes Gov. Ron DeSantis for Skipping Meeting with President Biden
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie had some strong words for his 2024 rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who chose to skip a meeting with President Joe Biden during the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. Christie expressed his disappointment on The Brian Kilmeade Show, stating, “He was playing politics with it, but that’s his choice. I’m not the least bit surprised that that’s what he chose to do.”
Christie emphasized the importance of being present as the governor of the state when the President of the United States visits, especially when seeking significant aid. He pointed out that DeSantis had voted against aid for Hurricane Sandy ten years ago, making his absence even more questionable. Christie stated, ”You should have been there with the president to welcome it.”
Sen. Rick Scott Steps Up
Christie then shifted his focus to praising Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who did appear with President Biden during his visit to Live Oak, Florida. Christie commended Scott, saying, “Fortunately, Rick Scott, the United States senator and a former governor, two-term governor who knows what it means to be governor, showed up and made sure that the president saw the things that he needed to see.”
Christie emphasized that it is the governor’s responsibility to be the tour guide for the president, showcasing the impact of the disaster and the needs of the affected communities. He criticized DeSantis for prioritizing politics over his duty as governor, stating, “Unfortunately, he put politics ahead of his job. That was his choice.”
Biden expressed his disappointment with DeSantis’ absence, especially after the governor’s spokesperson claimed that the disruption caused by the meeting was a reason for not attending. The spokesperson stated, ”In these rural communities, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts.”
Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 hurricane with 125-miles-per-hour winds, caused significant damage and claimed at least three lives when it made landfall last Wednesday.
Christie’s Experience with Disaster Recovery
Christie drew from his own experience with disaster recovery, specifically Hurricane Sandy, which devastated New Jersey. He recalled meeting with then-President Barack Obama in October 2012, just before the November election, a decision that sparked controversy among Republicans. However, Christie remains unapologetic about his actions, stating, “I wouldn’t do a thing differently because my obligation is to the people who elected me.”
Christie highlighted the success of New Jersey’s recovery efforts, stating that they were able to rebuild the state in record time with the aid and collaboration of the federal government. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the job at hand and serving the people, rather than focusing on personal ambitions and politics.
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