By Michael Aron
Chief Political Correspondent
Mid-afternoon today and the gym in which Chris Christie will deliver his announcement is still undecorated.
Workmen were bringing in equipment.
Christie is returning to his alma mater, Livingston High School, to make the speech.
“For me personally, it would be fine if he went to any other high school in the state,” said Livingston Interim Superintendent James O’Neill.
Ironically, the superintendent of Livingston schools is a Christie critic.
He said yes to the campaign’s request to use the high school, he says, out of deference to the office.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that Mr. Christie and I have had our differences. There are a lot of people in Livingston and Essex County who don’t subscribe to his political philosophy in general and most particularly about the way he’s dealt with public schools,” O’Neill said.
The Christie campaign has a new slogan — telling it like it is — and a new video.
Politico reported today that he will forego using a teleprompter tomorrow.
How important are this speech and event?
We asked an ardent supporter.
“The event itself is extraordinarily important. Last time we saw a son of New Jersey announce for presidency was Bill Bradley. Before that, Grover Cleveland in 1885. I think all of us are very excited that we’re going to have our governor, Chris Christie make a credible announcement he’s seeking the presidency,” said Sen. Kevin O’Toole.
Christie grew up in Livingston and became a star at the high school — president of the class of 1980, starting catcher on the varsity baseball team and that Sicilian mother worked in the schools.
“His mother actually worked here in the Central Office as a receptionist for a good number of years and there are still people here who know her,” O’Neill said.
Christie allies say don’t believe all the negativity you’ve been reading lately in the New Jersey media.
“When you take away some of the contentiousness of the reporters here in New Jersey have seen, either they’ve tired of him or have a different understanding of him. The folks I see that walk around and bump into him at the restaurant and talk to him, that’s the Jersey Boy that they love who calls it like he sees it,” O’Toole said.
The Essex County Education Association is calling on teachers to gather outside the school tomorrow in protest.
Christie’s announcement here tomorrow is taking place five or six months later than initially expected. He’s likely to get a temporary bounce from it. The bigger question is, will it be looked back on some day as a turning point?
NJTV News will provide live coverage of Gov. Christie’s announcement Tuesday at ll a.m.