Gov. Christie Addresses Criticism Of Not Naming Lt. Governor While Traveling

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Gov. Chris Christie has been spending a lot of time traveling outside of New Jersey, without naming an acting governor while he's gone.

As WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported, he addresses those who have criticized that decision Thursday.

Even though by state law, the lieutenant governor is named acting governor whenever Gov. Christie leaves, he thinks lawmakers should do away with the rule.

"When I'm in New Hampshire I'm the governor, when I'm in Iowa I'm the governor," he said.

Christie added, "if you want to narrowly tailor something that if the governor is incapacitated, under anesthesia," or in any case where they cannot communicate, then he says it's fine having an acting governor.

Otherwise, he says, "I'm in communication. I have Wi-Fi on the plane. When I am on the plane I have a cell phone with me at all times."

"It's not like I need someone to get the Pony Express to come and bring me a message," he added.

The Associated Press also reported Christie, while preparing for a trade mission to Mexico, was just one of the Republicans trying to beef up his foreign policy credentials for a possible general election matchup against Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, a former secretary of state. The nation's role in international affairs is likely to be a key issue in the 2016 contest regardless of the candidates.

Aside from the political presumptions of his travels, Gov. Christie does say his travel schedule helps in deciding whether to run for president.

"...and what effect it has on you physically, and what effect it has on  you mentally and what effect it has on your family," he said. "And so that will all wind up effecting the decision that we make come the beginning of next year."

But has it helped him decide?

"I'm not telling you," he said.

Also on Thursday, Christie blasted the joint legislative committee investigating lane closures on the George Washington Bridge for leaked documents to the media. He accused its members of being more interested in getting their names in the newspapers and on television, and he urged them to finish up their work.

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