Although the 2016 presidential race is still two years away, some differences are already emerging in the field of likely Republican candidates. For example, if you ask Rand Paul a question he doesn’t like, he’ll probably walk away. But that’s not New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s style, who took a break from his recent California vacation to pick fights with stranded commuters back home.
On Aug. 8, an NJ Transit commuter train was delayed because of a track issue and, upon hearing of the problem, Christie decided to send a little message of encouragement.
According to NJ Transit, the delays have been caused by an Amtrak track issue which is now repaired. I know it’s aggravating. Hang in there.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) August 8, 2014
But Christie apparently underestimated how volatile of a population stranded commuters are on a hot day in August.
.@GovChristie Hour and a half delays. Immense need to upgrade old and crumbling transportation infrastructure
— Ziad Achkar (@ziadachkar) August 8, 2014
@GovChristie, hang in for what? There are no infrastructure improvements in the works. You canceled them. Emergency repairs only…
— Joe Commuter (@njtranshit) August 8, 2014
Now, just about any other politician in… well, the world, would let a few critical tweets just pass by. After all, it doesn’t really benefit you to get into a Twitter yelling match with the people you represent. But that’s not Christie’s style.
@njtranshit They were cancelled because NJ taxpayers alone would have footed the $3-5b in cost overruns. I will not sign a bad deal 4 NJ
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) August 8, 2014
Christie and one commuter in particular, Patrick Daly, got after it in a back-and-forth tizzy the likes of an Atlantic City boxing match; albeit about infrastructure spending.
@GovChristie ARC TUNNEL. You are killing our home values and the NJ economy. We HANG IN THERE at least with delays, 4 times a week.
— patrickdaly (@patrickdaly) August 9, 2014
@patrickdaly The ARC tunnel to Macy’s basement, complete with $3-5b in cost overruns borne solely by NJ taxpayers, was a bad idea.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) August 9, 2014
@GovChristie Conflated argument. The real question is how much will it cost in the future..you do know how old the preset tunnels are right?
— patrickdaly (@patrickdaly) August 9, 2014
@patrickdaly Not a conflated argument. where were we getting the add’l $3-5b? Why should NYC not contribute to the cost given the benefits?
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) August 9, 2014
@GovChristie Well maybe you asking that question just shows how little vision you have, you know and I know the over run costs are inflated
— patrickdaly (@patrickdaly) August 9, 2014
@patrickdaly How do you know that? I know the numbers and, unlike you, have responsibility to all NJ taxpayers. Why no money from NY?
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) August 9, 2014
It didn’t take long for the conversation to get personal.
@GovChristie Sir, no need to demean me. The GAO disagreed with you, most editorial boards as well. And there was PA $ which is partly NY $.
— patrickdaly (@patrickdaly) August 9, 2014
@patrickdaly Also, any demeaning began with you sir. Review your tweets. If you act that way, I will call you out on it.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) August 9, 2014
The exchange continued on for a while before both guys basically just got tired and no one really won, except Daly who received some praise from fellow Twitter users.
@patrickdaly you sir, are my hero. I wouldn’t have the patience for the obvious response you got.
— NJT Rider (@NJT_Rider) August 11, 2014
One can only hope that if Christie does run for president, this is how he deals with issues on a national level. At the very least, it would be entertaining.
Screengrab via GovChristie/YouTube