Jersey joust: Atlantic City mayor hits back at Gov. Christie
(CNN) - Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford on Tuesday swung back at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's recent jabs suggesting the mayor failed to enforce state-issued evacuation orders ahead of Superstorm Sandy.
"The governor is just wrong–he's dead wrong," Langford said on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
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During a press conference Monday, Christie argued the mayor was not getting people out of the Jersey shore town. Tuesday morning, he slightly walked back his comments, saying the mayor was "sending a mixed message."
"He told folks that they could shelter as a last resort in the city of Atlantic City. A number of people chose to do so. That was the wrong thing to do," the Republican governor said on CNN's "Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien."
Langford, however, took issue with Christie's characterization of the mayor's directions. The Democratic mayor said he held two press conferences and put out press releases in the days before the storm, urging residents to leave.
"Despite our best efforts to have 100% of our people heed that message, sometimes you're always going to have those, who for whatever reason, decide not to heed the message," he said. "We thought it would be prudent to have a shelter of last resort for those people who did not listen."
While New Jersey bore the brunt of the storm and Atlantic City especially suffered extensive physical damage, Langford said he was "happy to report" that "on the human side, all is well."
The mayor added he hadn't spoken with Christie about the recent spat.
"I think it is the governor's responsibility to call me. He's the one that put out the misinformation. He made a mistake. And he ought to be man enough to own up to it," Langford said.
In 2010, Christie pushed for a state takeover of some of Atlantic City's gambling and tourism industries–an agreement that was ultimately reached in October of that year.
Tonight at 9 p.m. ET on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie discusses Superstorm Sandy’s impact on the state.
Hardly the time to be quarreling or pointing fingers. Unfortunately, Chris Christie has a short boiling point. This type of exchange should be done privately and before anyone speaks the truth should be known. This does not help to do the job necessary to get New Jersey moving again.
Yea,yea...Like mayor of New Orleans during Katrina ! :'(
Isn't it typical of republicans with their foot in mouth disease and their arrogence not to say they're wrong when they're most of the time..Christie is a role model for big mouths that got rolled down the street like tires when he was a kid,now as governor he thinks he can return the favor ,wrong buddy those guys that rolled your fat ass as a kid you now work for them as taxpayers and don't forget it.Remember the feet you step on going up the ladder of life are connected to the ass you got to kiss on the way down that ladder,so don't forget that Christie because you'll see just what I mean as you leave this job you have!!
Just like the do nothing Mayor Nagin of New Orleans......Did little to get folks out of town during Katrina and the blamed the federal government after the storm.....................
Christie was a gentleman with Obama. The Democratic mayor is a jerk with Christie. I rest my case.
I cannot understand why this man feels the need to have his windbreaker emblazoned with his name and his title. I do not want any responses that are opinions, I would really like the governor of NJ to answer this concern. Put me down as an Independent leaning Republican, but this just bugs me to no end. Minor issue? – perhaps. Kinda like a little kid stealing and getting away with it. What's next when he's older – stealing with a gun in his hand? Minor character flaws? – perhaps, but it seems these things have a way of manifesting themselves as we get older. Put me down as an Independent leaning the other way.
Christie seems appreciative of Obama's help........interesting, maybe a few people in these parties are actually honest...I am a voter supporter but i will never again throw out any cheeseburger comments about Christie.
Is Christie ticked off that Romney rebuffed him for LyinRyan?............Maybe RobMe robbed him................
I think the Gov is awesome! He seems like a Teddy Bear but something tells me he could pull a " TONY SOPRANO" on someone LOL ; ) Love it!!
The city is in turmoil and the mayor is showing up to criticize the governor on "situation room with Wolf Blitzer".. hmm something is wrong
Work together on this one fellas.
This battle is getting old now. It's obviously personal, so they should just "take it outside" and quit being a shallow distraction for the rest of us, when there are real concerns and real news to think about.
Christie didn't play politics with the President; but he played politics wit the major who couldn't give him handouts. Christie owes the mayor an apology when things cool off. They need to work together just as the President wants to work with Christie.
This christie sounds like a real jerk
More politics in disaster time
just stop fighting and help ur people...no one cares what ur beef is with eachother!
Finally, politicians arguing over something of substance
This is absolutely crazy....surely there is some way CNN can find a way to blame George W. for this...after all, he has been blamed for everything else. We knopw it isn't the same hurricane, but they are related events and we know deep down that George wished this on Obama just to test his mettle.
Couple of 12-year-olds. Put it away, do your jobs, and meet at the flagpole AFTER your work is done.
Let me guess, the Atlantic City Mayor is a democrat?
He made a bad decision and Christie called him out on it...plain and simple!
Still waiting on Christie to Man Up and admit he opened his donut hole too early, and didn't tell the truth. But he won't. that would take integrity.
I admire Gov. Christie's concern and compassion for NJ residents, no amount of preparation And warnings can predict how stupid anD stubBorn Some people can Be!! He did and is doing fAntastic!
Another republican governor trying to score political points in a time of crisis. Surrogates of Romney, I thought, espouse the ideal of people taking personal responsibility for their lives? In this case, people from New Jersey made an important decision to ride out the storm close to home & survived, A result that Republican Big Brothers despise.
Gov Christie has alot in common with Gov Romney aka Losers!