Corzine campaign calls Christie 'menace to society'
(CNN) - A spokeswoman for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine called his Republican challenger Chris Christie "a complete menace to society on the highways of New Jersey" for racking up 13 moving violations over the last two and a half decades.
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission released documents Friday revealing that Christie, a former U.S. Attorney now seeking the governor's mansion, was found guilty on a total of 13 traffic tickets between 1985 and 2009, including seven for speeding.
Christie was also ticketed for six traffic accidents between 1989 and 2007, the Motor Vehicle Commission confirmed to CNN.
Corzine, meanwhile, earned two speeding tickets going back to 1992, and a third ticket for failing to wear a seat belt in the car accident that nearly killed him in 2007.
"Jon Corzine, like most drivers, has had an occasional infraction, and he paid the ticket," Corzine campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith said in an e-mail. "Chris Christie, on the other hand, has been a habitual offender and a complete menace to society on the highways of New Jersey."
"Every day it becomes more evident that Christie has always had one set of rules for himself and another for everyone else," she added.
The Christie campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the tickets.
The Motor Vehicle Commission said both men now have clean driving records.
"Christie's record is in good standing, as is governor Corzine's record," said Mike Horan, a spokesman for the commission.
Christie's driving history has come under scrutiny this week after a New Jersey radio station reported that he was ticketed in 2005 for speeding and driving an unregistered vehicle. Christie, still a U.S. attorney at the time, was allowed to drive away from the traffic stop. His campaign acknowledged that Christie's job title came up while he was pulled over.
News of the traffic stop also raised eyebrows because Christie was in the car with his now-former aide Michele Brown, who resigned her post in the U.S. attorney's office this week in the wake of revelations that Christie did not disclose a $46,000 loan he made to her in 2007. The campaign said Christie's wife and family were also in the car during that traffic stop.
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Christies irresponsible behavior on the "public" streets is a trait that helps define Christies "lack of respect for everyone" who shares the road way. The USA needs responsible leadership that starts with respecting your neighbors. Search for traits that reflect this defect in Christies personality, we're not looking for perfect, just responsible individuals who don't think they're above the law.
Speeding must be a republican habit. LT. governor Bauer of South Carolina was clock at 101 miles an hour, but the officer neglected his oath of office and did not give him a ticket, The Officer in charge of the state patrol did not make the officer give Bauer a ticker either, and he also broke his oath of office. They both swore to uphold the laws of the state, which they did not.
Bauer even bragged about the fact he is a fast driver and is still a menace to all the citizens of South Carolina and any visitors that travel the roads there.
Oh my, how could you vote for someone like that? lol. This guy is desparate.....
The thug Corzine is going to have to do better than that! If they were giving out tickets for thuggery Corzine would have racked up. I guess using Obama didn't help? I'll take a person getting tickets over a thief any day.
I had a bunch of tickets along time ago, am I a danger to society?? Does that mean my kids should be taken from me?? Corzines days are over and he knows it to pull a stunt like this. Thanks but no thanks for 4 more years with this guy.
Gee....what a suprise, another slimey Republican charged with upholding the law who breaks it repeatedly.
And Republicans wonder why most Americans think they are disgusting.
Looks like the liberals are at it again. When a conservative does something wrong they go at it with vigor. But when it is when of their own they try to cover it up...
Just like the liberals. When a conservative does something wrong they go after him/her with vigor but when it is one of their own they try to cover it up..
What DMV Commissioner and how many judges were paid to allow this man to keep his drivers license? Or unlike the average driver did he have special immunities to forfeiture of drivers license because of being a US Attorney? Things that make you go HMMMM!
That's nothing! Menace to society from this point of view is president Obama who got in three years (while @ Harvard) 22 tickets!
That's it? That's all they could come up with against this guy? 13 tickets in 25 YEARS? Talk about desperation! Sheesh.
Is that all you can dig up ? I wonder if he had his seatbelt on, Unlike you Mr Corzine !!!!!
I thought this was just a revenue opportunity for New Jersey / New York Police Departments? In that case, Chris Christie is good for business.
Does Christie still Possess a Driver's License ?
Can a Person who cannot Drive a Car safe, Govern a State safe?
Can GOP not stage a Candidate with better credentials?
Is the GOP all done, defunct and finished?
Is the Governor's mansion in New Jersey made of glass?
So it would make sense to elect Christie and give him a limo driver?
stick to the issues moron. Corzines camp states this guy is menace to society. What do the people New Jersey know about either canidates record besides they are not capable of functioning in the private sector so they sacrifice and want to work in public service. God bless them. The idiots will come out to vote in another election. All they will know is who did blow or received a traffic ticket or slept with some intern. I could care less. Stay of my way and my life. You cannot run yours so why are you intruding in mine.
How does traffic violations affect the way a person governs?
Corzine, you should be ashamed that you have to reduce yourself to smear tactics just to win an election. How about showing what YOU'VE done and how you will help your state instead of trying to hunt through your competitor's closets?
If you think he is a menace to society I wonder what skeletons are in your closet
When on is reckless in a car, one is often reckless in other parts of their personal and political life. Glad I don't live in that state nor drive on those highways!
This is undoubtedly the most stupid and absurd news piece
ever written.
Shame on CNN for calling this POLITICAL DRIVEL "journalism" or Peter Hambly... a journalist.
This ridiculous article has focused on the fact that Christie is a APPARENTLY A BIG challenge to Corzine. Lis Smith would be fired if she worked for me; Smith obviously had a hand in this mess.
Such political incompetence on the part of Jon Corzine and his stupid accusations only BELITTLES CORZINE, and UNDERSCORES the fact that the State of New Jersey DESPERATELY NEEDS A NEW GOVERNOR.
BEST OF LUCK TO CHRISTIE!!!
So getting a speeding ticket every four years makes him a menace?
Then why doesn't John Corzine, who is Governor, prevent "menaces" from being allowed to get a Driver's License? The way I see it, Corzine is either a bad Governor or a sleazy politician.
I wonder what he thinks about Barack Obama and how our President had to pay off 17 tickets that were over 15 years old!
What an idiotic non-story. Corzine's obviously getting pretty desperate.
LOL, Sounds like Christie must be doing fairly well in the polls. What a stupid thing for Corzine to go after.