Hoboken NJ suffered major structural damage because of Sandy, worse than the majority of cities in NJ. The city was 80% under water. The mayor of Hoboken, Dawn Zimmer, scheduled a meeting to discuss getting a small portion of NJ's massive Federal Relief Fund, which was supposed to be allocated judiciously based on need. The meeting turned into a solicitation by the Christie administration for an endorsement for the upcoming election. The mayor of Hoboken, a democrat, said she would remain neutral, though she wanted to support a Democrat. Out of respect/fear for Christie, she endorsed nobody. She reports that Christie “was quite disappointed”. The mayor of Hoboken went on to say that Christie kept asking for a public endorsement (for the upcoming election), almost if it was a "pay to play" deal. Then, because the mayor of Hoboken chose to actively and openly support Christie, her city only received 1% of what it asked for, which has left it terribly in debt. Meanwhile some cities inland, supporters of Christie, received more than they requested or needed.
Christie’s retaliation on Hoboken hurt innocent citizens who not only had to endure massive delays in getting repairs, but their city now faces terrible revenue problems, the consequences of which will plague the city for quite a while.
The new mayor of Jersey City NJ Steve Fulop, also a Democrat, scheduled a number of meetings with state officials. These meetings were intended to establish working relationships with agencies that provide necessary services to his city and its citizens. One of the meetings was scheduled to obtain relief funds for Hurricane Sandy. Once the meetings were fixed on the calendar, the Christie team solicited Fulop’s endorsement. Like the Democratic mayor of Hoboken, Fulop declined, knowing full well that he could not turn his back on his party. Within the hour of notifying the Christie team that he would be unable to provide an endorsement, the various state officials called to cancel all meetings, with no promise to re-schedule.
Christie’s retaliation on Jersey City hurt innocent citizens.
It appears that Christie created a very punitive “pay to play” retaliation machine. Either you kiss his ring, or he hurts the innocent Americans in your district. Thank god this guy's presidential run is over.
My question: is there a culture within the Republican Party that fosters partisan retaliation and the abuse of government power, or, is this an exception to the rule? Discuss.
Christie’s retaliation on Hoboken hurt innocent citizens who not only had to endure massive delays in getting repairs, but their city now faces terrible revenue problems, the consequences of which will plague the city for quite a while.
The new mayor of Jersey City NJ Steve Fulop, also a Democrat, scheduled a number of meetings with state officials. These meetings were intended to establish working relationships with agencies that provide necessary services to his city and its citizens. One of the meetings was scheduled to obtain relief funds for Hurricane Sandy. Once the meetings were fixed on the calendar, the Christie team solicited Fulop’s endorsement. Like the Democratic mayor of Hoboken, Fulop declined, knowing full well that he could not turn his back on his party. Within the hour of notifying the Christie team that he would be unable to provide an endorsement, the various state officials called to cancel all meetings, with no promise to re-schedule.
Christie’s retaliation on Jersey City hurt innocent citizens.
It appears that Christie created a very punitive “pay to play” retaliation machine. Either you kiss his ring, or he hurts the innocent Americans in your district. Thank god this guy's presidential run is over.
My question: is there a culture within the Republican Party that fosters partisan retaliation and the abuse of government power, or, is this an exception to the rule? Discuss.
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