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TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told Washington politicians yesterday they should take a lesson from him on how to reform dysfunctional government.
“Maybe folks in Washington, in both parties, could learn something from our record,” Christie said during his annual State of the State address. “We have established a governing model for the nation that shows that, even with heartfelt beliefs, bipartisan compromise is possible. Achievement is the result. And progress is the payoff.”
In an election-year speech coming on the heels of Hurricane Sandy, Christie thanked first responders and singled out a handful of residents who performed heroic acts as the monster storm tore up the Garden State more than two months ago.
Then the outspoken governor — mentioned frequently as a GOP presidential contender — spanked Congress for the second time in a week after lawmakers bailed on a $60 billion relief package that was to be split among New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Staring down at the state’s congressional delegation attending the address, Christie ordered the pols to go back to Capitol Hill to get the cash.
“New Jersey, both Republicans and Democrats, will never stand silent when our citizens are being short-changed,” Christie said.
“The people of New Jersey are in need,” he said. “We have stood with the citizens of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Iowa, Vermont, California and Missouri in their times of need—now I trust that they will stand with us.”
Christie’s speech kicks off a year when his stratospheric approval ratings will be tested as he runs for a second four-year term. But it also comes as his own Republican Party is in tatters after back-to-back losses to President Obama — first in the November election and then in the recent fiscal-cliff negotiations.
The 40-minute speech was devoid of new initiatives or programs and instead offered a litany of accomplishments and testimonials to the “New Jersey spirit.”
“Sandy may have damaged our homes and our infrastructure, but it did not destroy our spirit,” Christie said.
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), a key member of the House Appropriations Committee, told The Post that House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor have “heard [Christie’s] message” and have put Sandy-relief bills on the House schedule.
“The speaker and the majority leader have heard the message” Frelinghuysen said of the renewed effort to get the money approved. “It’s some straight talk … We look forward to some good results.”