Christie: Too many 'obsessed with reelection'
Washington (CNN)- Chris Christie said Monday that many times politics comes before people and that can keep government from reaching effective long-term solutions.
"We have too many elected officials who are obsessed with re-election and that they're willing to do anything to keep their job," Christie said. "That's not the kind of person you want in an executive position, or any position for that matter, but certainly in an executive position right now, given the challenges that our country faces."
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During a speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. on Monday, the New Jersey governor highlighted what he called successful efforts in his state, but stated that many federal plans stand in the way of progress.
According to Christie, New Jersey currently has the third highest income tax rate, which he planned to reduce, but he preicted would actually increase as a result of the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act.
"First of all, I'm glad that the Supreme Court ruled that extortion is still illegal in America. And that's a relief because Obamacare on Medicare to the states was extortion," Christie said. "It essentially said, "You expand your program to where we tell you, and if you don't, we're taking all the rest of your money away. Well, that's extortion. It was a whole bunch of nice words in a bill, but it was extortion."
According to Christie, New Jersey has the second most expensive Medicaid program in the country, aside from New York, and costs will only rise with the implentation of health care reform's individual mandate in 2014.
"Our question is going to be, how much more do we need to expand our program because we have some of the most generous benefits already. So that's the analysis we're going to make," Christie said.
The Republican did not give specifics in regards to a planned budget for the mandate, noting that he will 'wait and see' for New Jersey, and planned to reach a decision by 2013 depending on federal government deadlines. The decision, according to Christie, will affect 2014 and 2015 budgeting.
Christie said his policy team must also decide if they would take on federal or statewide exchange, which depends on cost and what is best for New Jersey residents.
Overall, Christie argued that the 'one size fits all' health care plan was ineffective because of the needs of citizens in different states– comparing Montana to New Jersey.
On a seperate topic, Christie also noted that the federal funding should be spent on infrastructure. Having created 85,000 private sector jobs since becoming governor, he said that public jobs are too costly.
"Please don't send me any more money to hire public employees," Christie said. "I don't need more."
Since becoming governor in 2010, Christie said his programs have implemented programs that include increased private sector jobs, capped property taxes, required drug treatment for incarcerated drug addicts, and increased the state income tax by five percent.
"I hope New Jersey is an example for the rest of the country," Christie said.
- CNN's Dana Davidsen contributed to this report.
Christie go to Camden and Newark they are hell holes.
He doesn't have a polint.
Every time I see this guy he has that big mouth on his fat face perched upon that huge body wide open, and something vile is either going in or coming out.
He's right about re-election campaigning being the killer of all progress in America. That's exactly why we need one term in any one position in politics. Make the term longer but lets get rid of the endless campaigning that destroys real leadership.
"one size fits all"? He's twice the size of the average American. Double the amount of health care... If he's trying to lead a band wagon, add some wheels to the man, and he is the wagon...
Hey christie, any more shout outs like a bully boy with anyone at the shore in NJ?
This fatso is obsessed too, but his obsession is food.
How did NJ ever get stuck with this guy? Are you talking about the bishop who has not truly worked a day in his life running for president since he was a bully in prep school?
Christie has bullied so many people and been rude to so many; just embaresses me that he is the governor of my state. He hasn't learned to be a good administrator rather than what he was which was a bully prosecutor.
As for re-election (or election), cycle keeps going because of the news cycle. That has just been a growing problem.
Bully Christie is looking for any which way to get back at the President. We have one of the highest property taxes in the country, off-set somewhat by one of the lowest gasoline price-per-gallon, but in about 5 or 6 years we plan to get out of NJ. At this rate, we can't afford to pay the property taxes.
I prefer a leader with the will to resist the temptation to race to the "hot" light at the Krispy Kremes store. It's also nice to not be an ignorant thug.
No one personifies the word "bully" more than this dreadful New Jersey loudmouth. He knows he'll never go any higher than Jersey governor and the people of that state are fools if they reelect him. Romney won't pick him for Veep unless he's suicidal. Christie makes most normal humans positively nauseous.