Christie Returns To N.J. For Severe Weather; Critics Say He Should Focus On Home Front

SEA ISLE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The threat of severe weather brought New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie back home and off the campaign trail.

And while storm problems are certainly a concern, the return has put Christie in the spotlight as he runs for the Republican presidential nomination.

As CBS2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer reported, Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio spoke out in favor of Christie at a news conference Friday, while Christie stood to his left.

"All of us look for strong leadership among our elected officials, and we have enjoyed the strongest of strong leadership here in New Jersey for the past five-plus years," Desiderio said.

Christie was wearing his trademark blue fleece for the news conference. And even though he has been spending most of his time in New Hampshire and Iowa, he is still the chief executive of the state of New Jersey.

Christie returned home because guiding the state through weather disasters is his strong suit.

He said he was back in New Jersey "to make sure we are prepared for what's happening," and because, "one, it's the severity of the situation, and two, it's this kind of innate sense that I have that you're missing me."

Indeed, some voters do pine for him.

"Yes, I do miss him," said Joe Latterulo of Washington Township. "I love Governor Christie."

But another resident flat out said, "I don't like him."

And others just wish he would give up the hunt for higher office already.

"He should deal with the tunnels that he canceled for New York. We have a huge commuting problem. We have a lot of problems here," said Fred Silber of Tenafly. "He's trying to run for president. He's not going to make it -- you see where he is in the polls. He's wasting his time and he's wasting our time."

"When he started, he was going to improve transportation, he was going to cut property taxes, he was going to make New Jersey more oriented for business – and it's not," added Greg Copeland of Wayne.

One problem with Christie's presidential campaign was that people who like him even said they do not plan to vote for him.

"I like Trump better," Latterulo said.

Mike Mannino of Cleveland said his choice is his Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

"I like Governor Christie, but I tell you, Governor Kasich is pretty darn good," Mannino said.

While Christie was wearing a blue fleece like the one he wore to rave reviews during Sandy, it was not the same fleece, Kramer reported.

After Sandy, Christie got "fleeced," in a manner of speaking. People gave him 26 fleeces.

He said he brings out the Sandy fleece only for what he calls a "real emergency… disaster, not political."