Rand Paul hits Chris Christie over post-Sandy tourism ads
(CNN) – Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, took a not-so-subtle jab Wednesday at Gov. Chris Christie for starring in ads aimed at promoting tourism in New Jersey in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
In a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing to review the federal response to last year's deadly storm, Paul questioned Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan about whether Sandy relief funds should be spent on television ads.
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Paul said that “people running for office put their mug all over these ads while they are in the middle of a campaign. In New Jersey, $25 million was spent on ads that included somebody running for political office."
"Ya think there might be a conflict of interest there? You know that’s a real problem. That’s why when people who are trying to do good and trying to use taxpayer dollars wisely they are offended to see our money spent on political ads. You know that’s just offensive."
Christie was first criticized by Democrats for appearing in an ad released over the summer titled "Stronger Than the Storm" for using taxpayer dollars. The commercial was a part of a $25 million tourism campaign to boost the Jersey Shore's economy, which used federal emergency funds given to states affected by the storm.
"New York did the same thing, which I still object, but at least they didn’t put someone’s face on the ad and their family, and it looks like a bio ad," Paul continued. "You know I think, yeah, come to New Jersey, but it’s like I don’t want to pay for ads for someone’s advertising out of Sandy relief funds. It gives the whole thing a black eye."
Paul's criticism follows the Kentucky senator's comments on Tuesday labeling Christie a moderate after the New Jersey governor called himself a conservative in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper. Rising stars in the GOP, Paul and Christie are considered potential 2016 presidential candidates.
Rand Paul labels Chris Christie a moderate
"I think the Republican Party is a big party, and we need moderates like Chris Christie who can win in New Jersey," Paul said on CNN's “The Situation Room” with Wolf Blizter. Paul added that the Republican Party was generally "more conservative" than Christie.
CNN's Ashley Killough contributed to this report.
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And so it begins.
So now Christie is a moderate? He's still a conservative at heart. He stood up for NJ after a catastrophe and that's what governors do.
That being said, this is what people will remember and I am sure there are plenty other moments of the bully from NJ that does not make him presidential material:
"Well then I have no interest in answering your question.
You know what first of it's none of your business
Your rear end is going to get thrown in jail idiot
Let me tell you this, you know what
You know you should really see me when I am pissed
Are you stupid?"
There was an incident not too long ago where he physically moved in (that's scary on so many levels) on some guy who happened to disagree with him or said something to him. He's NOT presidential material. He has lost weight but still . . . . . It's going to take much more than a few hundred pounds off to make him presentable to the US and, more importantly, to the world.
Little mealy mouth Randy better keep his mouth shut or Christie will crush.
I just can't bring myself to care...
You think Rand Paul is a little bitter. People like Christie,Paul not so much. He has the personality of a wet noodle! The battle for 2016 is now on.
Bland , the quack, Paul should just go home. How can anyone believe ANYTHING he says , when he doesn't really say it but steals other peoples comments as his own. Bland has 0 credibility like the rest of the GOP tea idiots !!! Quack,quack, quack. You should have a duel with the other quacks, Cruz Rubio lee king and Bachman !!!!!!
I'm just waiting for Paul to use the " Stronger than the Storm" jingle in his campign ads, and then claim he composed it.
The first shot of the GOP civil war! I thought it wouldn't happen until the spring...but apparently, away we go!
the GOP fringe going after their only real hope of winning the presidency......num num num. Hey Bland...you're gonna need a bigger plate with this one
Copycat DOES have a point. It takes one egomaniac to know another, I suppose.
Federal money should not have been used for tourism ads and publicity for the governor.
@ Marie MD
There was an incident not too long ago where he physically moved in (that's scary on so many levels) on some guy who happened to disagree with him or said something to him. He's NOT presidential material. He has lost weight but still . . . . . It's going to take much more than a few hundred pounds off to make him presentable to the US and, more importantly, to the world
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He has indeed lost a lot of weight Marie, and you're right, it is the little 'nuances", the things said and often the things not said that give us a true glimpse into the person.
This man is a bully with or without the weight.
If he somehow floats to the top of the GOP bowl and makes it past the vetting into the general, he'll need a really, really good PR person.
And then of course he'll need to stow his ego and listen to said PR person.
EXCELLENT, Republics!! Please - PLEASE - continue to disagree, not just with the Democrats - but with EACH OTHER!!
DE-LEC-TA-BLE!!!!
I guess he's the they've got – – the Only one they've got – now, the question is this : is the right wing going to "accept" him ? or are they going to continue to throw mud at one of their own ? LOL
Think about it, they wouldn't let him IN, at their Own C – PAC event.... not to mention "Rand" is throwing negative comments at him, also.....pitiful I tell ya, Just pitiful....
– PLEASE – continue to disagree, not just with the Democrats – but with EACH OTHER!!
DE-LEC-TA-BLE!!!!
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It has become a pattern for Republicans to turn on themselves right after losing elections.
Most groups would coalesce, reassess, and regroup, but not the Rethugs.
They indulge in public finger-pointing and even, apparently, in bashing their winners!
You just can't make these people up.
I can't seem to decide who has the bigger ego: Rand Paul or Chris Christie.
For sure, Paul is coming across as the more damaged (and desperate) candidate thus far.
It's doubtful either of these two men will be able to handle the stress of a Presidential campaign.
Fact is, Democrats had already raised this issue during Christie's campaign. Paul once again is jumping on a bandwagon someone else first put into motion.
You're toast Rand – go away! To run for POTUS you have to have a "Personality" – which you don't. Gov. Christie does have a personality and thinks "compromise" is NOT a dirty word. I'm not saying I'd vote for him, but I am saying I'd never vote for you or any of your tea bag brethren!
Lynda Minnesota
I would venture to say babe that no one listens to Rand Paul unless he's talking about someone other than himself!
What is with Mr. Paul- he's like a 4 year old who can't mind his own business.... back to Wikipedia, young man!
Wow! I agree with Rand Paul about something. Christie should never have appeared in those commercials unless he was with other elected officials like Buono.
@ Dominican mama:
I enjoyed Marie's post. And she is absolutely correct. Christie needs a make-over ... emotionally as well as physically.
Rand Paul? What I find remarkable about Rand Paul is that he really does see himself as the next aqua-buddha. Or something. His swagger is nearly as silly as that self love of himself which he has managed to manifest into something I doubt even his father can be proud of.
What has happened to all of the right wingers who defended Christied putting himself in the ads when they first ran? I know why you're hiding. Most of you are Paul supporters, and now he's come out with the exact opposite position that you folks took earlier this year. Come out. Come out, whereever you are.
hey just steal one of his speech's and use it as your own randy. should be fun watching the repos climb over each other.
It looks like the U.S. economy perked up slightly this summer, as businesses re-stocked their shelves, consumer spending rose slightly, and the housing recovery chugged along.
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Then Ted Cruz shut down the Government .
Ted Cruz / Randy Paul
Randy Paul needs to just shut up already. Talk about your jealous loser.. Randy could not hold a candle to Christie. Gov. Christie will squish him like the annoying insect he is..:)
This is too good to pass up. Simp and Blimp collide over ideologies. Film at 11.