By David Cruz
Correspondent
Gov. Chris Christie found comfort from the political storm by giving comfort to those still recovering from the actual storm. In Manahawkin, where many residents are still struggling to get back on their feet, the governor found a receptive audience.
“We have a great town. I’m proud of our town. There’s no place like this,” said a tearful Amy Peters as she spoke to a crowd of fellow residents. “It’s just such an honor to be with the governor, and everyone here. I just want to thank everybody.”
Peters and Christie hugged after she spoke and the governor thanked her for her openness, assuring her and her neighbors: “I am as focused on completing this mission as I was when I woke up on the morning of Oct. 30, 2012. And nothing will distract me from getting that job done. Nothing.”
Developments today suggest a certain battening down of the hatches by the governor. His office announced this morning that it had retained outside counsel, former prosecutor Randy Mastro, ostensibly to help conduct an internal investigation. But some today interpreted the move as the governor “lawyering up.” But, in front of this crowd, 100 miles south of the George Washington Bridge, he made only an oblique reference to the scandal.
“There’s all kinds of challenges — as you know — that come every day, out of nowhere, to test you,” he said. “But I want to assure the people of New Jersey of one thing. I was born here, I was raised here, I’m raising my family here and this is where I intend to spend the rest of my life, and whatever test they put in front of me, I will meet those tests because I’m doing it on your behalf.”
It’s that defiant, “I got your back” governor that Christie is determined to return to the spotlight, back on the offensive and putting the scandal in the context of “us” versus “them.”
“I don’t think we’re so involved in it that we really pay attention to it,” said Manahawkin resident Rick Glasscock. “I can understand that there were people up there that were inconvenienced. As far as I’m concerned, it’s water under the bridge.”
Brant Beach resident Vera Allen agreed. “We didn’t come here at all regarding the bridge,” she said. “We lost our home; that’s why we’re here.”
Christie has said that he’ll cooperate with all “appropriate” investigations. What that means exactly could determine the ultimate course of this scandal. But, when it comes to the court of public opinion, today at least, the governor found a friendly jury.