Christie Unapologetic About Vacationing During Blizzard
FREEHOLD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- No regrets and no apologies from Gov. Chris Christie, who was vacationing in Disney World with his family while New Jersey was being battered by the fifth largest storm in the last 100 years.
When asked if he thought twice about his decision, Christie responded by saying "of course I did." The governor said he ultimately believes he made the right decision.
"Life is about choosing and about decisions. I made the decision to be a father first," Christie told reporters including CBS 2's Christine Sloan.
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WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron reports
The governor said he wasn't about to rescind his Christmas gift and promise to his kids.
"I have four children between 7 and 17, who I promised I was taking them to Disney World. Now here are my alternatives -- send my wife to Disney World with my four kids by herself -- boy That would be an interesting move. I would then be divorced," Christie said.
WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron reported Christie said he would not back out of the promise, especially when he had full confidence the man left in charge -- State Senator Stephen Sweeney.
"I don't break promises lightly to anybody, and especially not to my children."
However some residents in Neptune, where residents shoveled their own streets during the blizzard, weren't sympathetic.
"It must have been nice. Since we were shoveling roads, but people have their priorities I guess," A.J. Benjamin said.
"I think this was his first priority. I mean, I'm all for everybody going away and having a vacation. He's entitled to that, just like any of us, but...this storm really debilitated the whole state," John Berardesco said.
In Freehold, Barbara Ackerman also had a message for the governor.
"I'd like to tell him to lose some weight and get out there and shovel," she told 1010 WINS' Kathleen Maloney.
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1010 WINS' Kathleen Maloney reports
But Christie said he was constantly on his cell phone coordinating emergency operations and did not offer an apology.
"My first and most important responsibility -- in my view -- is as a husband and a father. I think I made that pretty clear to the people of New Jersey when I was running -- that I saw that as my most important job," Christie said.
