(CNN) – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, known for his candor, snapped at a reporter Saturday while taking issue with his question at a press conference.
Reporters were told the governor would only answer questions about a major problem at a water treatment plant, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.
Yet one reporter proceeded to ask an unrelated question involving the state legislature, as seen in video of the press conference from Monmouth County.
Christie, cutting him off, said: "Did I say on topic? Are you stupid? On topic, on topic. Next question."
As the reported tried to follow up, the Republican governor again interjected and ended the press conference.
"Thank you all very much, and I'm sorry for the idiot over there. Take care," he said before walking away.
Christie, who is rumored to be a potential GOP vice presidential pick, has made headlines in the past for growing confrontational with reporters or audience members at events.
Mitt Romney, himself, teased Christie about his brash behavior Tuesday night when the two appeared together at a fund-raiser.
"That man really is something, you know that? I was hoping someone in here would start to heckle him so I could watch him go to town here. But you know better, don't ya? What an extraordinary leader," Romney said, according to pool reports.
From CNN Politics
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I don't care what Christie said about the press conference. Any time he gets in front of the microphone for a press conference, Christie should answer the question. I don't mind him saying politiely that the reporter is off topic, but calling him stupid just shows that the current governor needs to be replacesd at the next elelction.
Even alexithymic Mitt knows Christi is a bully and a jerk, and sticking up for Christi makes pandering Mitt look even more desperate.
Funny but sorry not VP material.
I just don't understand the attraction to this rude man. He is the one person Romney could pick for his VP that would force NOT to vote at all, as much as I dislike Obama, I could never ever vote for this man.
So Romney thinks being rude and arrogant are admirable qualities in an elected official? Oh yeah! He'd make a great foreign policy President...NOT.
How does losing his temper and demeaning a reporters make him a good leader? No leader should ever refer to someone as being stupid.
Try to imagine President Obama calling a conservative leaning reporter stupid... The house republicans and Fox news would be calling for impeachment.
Extraordinary leader indeed, Mitts. Someone asks something you're not comfortable with so you proceed to engage in ad hominem attacks against them. Bravo!
Christie tries to intimidate everyone even the media... he is brash and uncouth and has not respect .... HE IS A BULLY.
How he has gotten to be Governor of NJ ... I guess people in NJ are desperate... I have listened to and he has no finesse! or class......
Extraordinary leader? Are you kidding me? He's boorish, nasty, arrogant and rude.I feel sorry for New Jersey being represented by this human.
He is very unprofessional and I hope to everything holy he does not get another term. Wake up NJ he is an embarrassment!!!!!!!!
Sad that Mitt Romney, who wants to be the leader of the free world finds a bully like Christie to be "an extraordinary leader". Would Romney say the same about an elementary school student who spoke that way to an adult or even another child? Does this "extraordinary leader" speak that way to his children when they dare to have a thought different than his, or to his wife when she dares to have a differing opinion?
Time to say so long!!!
That's just a perfect evidence that Romney will never pick Chris Christie as his VP.
So to Mr. Romney someone with brash behavior is an extraordinary leader! Well, bully meets bully! Why does he always come down on the wrong side of any issue? I guess it’s just Mr. Romney: Lots of money, no class, simple focus = improve the lives of the suffering 1%! Perhaps trickle down to the next 2% than 3%...?
How is belittling people leadership?
Really? This man lacks finesse. Can someone imagine him talking to Putin or some other world leader? We would be in WW3.
Yeah. Quite a leader. Also, he is certainly huge embarrassment to New Jersey, a state know for major league embarrassments. Say, Snookie, for example. I think the gorvernor should find a job that he's better suited for. Perhaps working in a truck stop where his ignorance can really shine and he can really impress people.
Okay, he won't be the running mate because of that. Eject door, please.
Extraordinary leader? more like a control freak on a bad day
Yeah he's a great leader alright. It's his way or the highway.
he sounds like a bully to me. great leaders can keep their composure. he sounds like it is his way or the highway. only a dictator responds like that.
Mitt(I have nothing)McCain thinks that the unhinged GOBP are cute. They all will be running like Sharon Angle and Witch ODonnell soon.
So what is the problem? Most reporters don't listen. They write what they want to, regardless of the answer. Sounds like Christie was right on.
I think what Christie said was unnecessary, there are better ways to say it.. Such a lack of respect in this country. The reporter knew the rules, but had no respect for them, so I guess they are even, aren't they. I find it disgraceful at both ends..
"What an extraordinary leader," ...in Rmoney's mind, all it takes to be a leader is to be rude and mean to citizens!!