By David Cruz
NJ Today
Day two of the governor’s Jersey Shore end of summer tour. Today’s theme — back to business down the shore. The setting? Cape May, where business was off this summer, but not as badly as some had expected. And for the governor, an opportunity to take a rare swipe at the federal government’s response.
“The federal SBA. Let me just say, awful. Awful to deal with, impossible bureaucracy, inattentive to people’s needs and just an awful group of people to have to work with,” Gov. Chris Christie said.
The governor said residents should take advantage of the federally-funded but state-administered programs of the Economic Development Authority, where he says staff is be more sensitive and attentive to residents’ needs. He said he’s frustrated that more small businesses aren’t taking advantage of the programs.
The governor has gotten some criticism for the Stronger Than The Storm TV ads. Today, rather than shy away he seemed eager to own it.
“I have people all across New Jersey saying, ‘Please, please make it stop,'” Christie said. “It let them know we were open. It let them know these businesses were ready again. When I’ve spoken to businesses up and down the shore, even though they can’t get the song out of their head, they love the fact that it drew people back here. And they also like the image that it gives our state because it’s true.”
The governor also made a couple of veiled references to his opponent — Barbara Buono — today. Once on the tourism campaign and again when talking about the work that still needs to be done going forward.
“That’s my mission. That’s the mission this storm gave me. The job you gave me gives me that mission. I am not gonna quit and believe me I won’t let anything, whether it’s politicians in Washington, D.C. or politicians on the ballot this fall get in between me and the completion of this mission,” Christie said.
The governor criticized his opponent for politicizing the storm and sees no irony in accepting the adulation of his supporters and talking about the storm and his role in the recovery all week long.