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Gov. Chris Christie Shows Off His Dance Moves On 'Tonight Show'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie busted a move on late-night TV.

During an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'' that aired late Thursday night, Christie poked fun at the George Washington Bridge scandal and participated in a recurring bit acting out "the evolution of dad dancing.''

Evolution of Dad Dancing (w/ Jimmy Fallon & Gov. Chris Christie) by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on YouTube

Christie showed off some sweet dance moves including, "The Belt Grabber" and "The Dance You Do At A Springsteen Concert," which involved the governor pumping his fist and playing air guitar.

But when Fallon proceeded to another dance -- "This Bridge Is Closed'' -- Christie feigned anger and stormed offstage. He later joked his dancing was more humiliating to his family than the scandal.

Christie was so proud of the performance that he sent out a press release and tweeted about it.

The appearance was Christie's first since news broke that members of his administration redirected traffic on the George Washington Bridge in an apparent act of political retribution against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. Pundits said it was Christie's way of turning a page on the painful episode.

CBS 2's Marcia Kramer contacted the mayor about Christie's dance-athon, but she was told he's currently not allowed to talk about the incident.

But the good people of Fort Lee had plenty to say. The lane closures were still fresh in their minds nearly nine month later. Kramer showed them the entire skit.

"Is that for real?" resident Peggy Careri asked Kramer, adding when told yes, "Lets see if he's dancing when it comes election time."

"Oh no no no, it's terrible. I don't like that at all. I really don't and I'm sorry Gov. Christie, but I loved you so much in the past but right now I don't think I do," resident Stacy Nannas added.

"I guess he feels he can dance himself into the White House," resident Martin Abrams said.

During the show, Christie appeared confident in his presidential prospects despite the ongoing scandal that has tarnished his national reputation.

Christie was asked whether, "hypothetically,'' he thinks he could beat Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton in a one-on-one matchup.

"Hypothetically? You bet,'' responded the Republican governor.

Fallon then asked, "In a dance-off?''

Christie responded, "That's what I was talking about. What are you talking about?''

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(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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