Gov. Chris Christie (c.) with Harrison Mayor Ray McDonough behind him and former N.Y.C. Mayor Rudy Giuliani, far right.
HARRISON –
Gov. Chris Christie’s campaign bus rolled into Harrison last Friday, the last of eight stops it made in North Jersey that day, as the campaign wound down to the final few days.
As he strode into the Harrison East Newark Elks hall on Harrison Ave., accompanied by Harrison Mayor Ray Mc- Donough, Christie had a surprise guest with him – former New York Gov. Rudy Giuliani – who had accompanied his fellow Republican on a few of his earlier stops.
A crowd of some 100 town employees and residents feasting on hotdogs, cold cuts and beverages cheered as the pair were introduced, along with Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, another Democrat who has supported Christie for re-election.
Giuliani called Christie “one of the best governors in the United States.”
Christie said he was “thrilled” to be back in Harrison where, in mid-August, he’d presided at the groundbreaking for a $256 million makeover of the Harrison PATH station. He paid tribute to McDonough as “the very first Democrat in New Jersey who endorsed me.” Christie said McDonough – like Gonnelli – looks to build consensus to get improvements for their respective towns.
“For decades, you’ve had lip service [from Democratic administrations in Trenton] about getting a new PATH station,” Christie told the crowd. “Now you’re getting it.” This, in turn, will lead to private development around the new facility, he said.
“But all that ends Tuesday [Nov. 5] if you elect my opponent,” Christie said. “She [Democratic nominee Barbara Buono] believes any Democrat who crosses the aisle is a traitor.”
It’s the same type of attitude that’s prevalent on the national political stage, Christie continued. “We see the awful mess in Washington where both parties are putting their political interests ahead of the people,” he said.
“My job as governor is to be the CEO of the state – not some ideologue. But the only way that will happen is if you vote [for me].” And the outcome of the New Jersey race is significant, Christie maintained, because “all of America will be watching. We can retreat to the old partisan politics or show that we are leading the way to a united New Jersey.”
– Ron Leir
