Puerto Rico is known for beautiful beaches and even more beautiful weather. It’s an ideal place to get away from it all, especially during the winter time for those of us who live in cold climates. It would appear that New Jersey governor and likely GOP presidential hopeful Chris Christie agrees.
CNN broke the news this Friday that Gov. Chris Christie was at a resort in scenic San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to the report, Gov. Christie was seen poolside. So why would this bother anyone?
New Jersey, where Christie is governor, is currently digging out from a massive snowstorm – the latest in a series of nasty storms to hit the state. Most of you will remember that New Jersey was hit hard both before and almost immediately after playing host to the Super Bowl .
According to a report by N.J. News , New Jersey is expected to get several more inches of snow while still digging out from the current snowstorm.
A spokesman for the governor neither confirmed nor denied the governor being in Puerto Rico, saying:
“After the storm had passed, the governor left the state this (Friday) morning for a long weekend away with his family, and he will return Monday night.”
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno – noted for recent remarks that allegations that the governor withheld Sandy funds from communities that needed them were bogus – is holding the fort down while the Christie family suns themselves in Puerto Rico.
Gov. Christie has dealt with his share of storms – literal and figurative – since becoming governor of New Jersey. He is widely praised from both sides of the political aisle for the bipartisanship he showed while dealing with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy . However, the famed blue state Republican faced considerable criticism from political opponents for failing to return from a Disney World vacation to deal with another heavy snowstorm in 2010.
Of course, the weather – in New Jersey or Puerto Rico – has been the least of the presidential-hopeful’s woes in recent days. Notably, Gov. Christie is currently being scrutinized for his alleged involvement in “ Bridgegate ,” a plot to disrupt traffic on the George Washington Bridge.
Christie, considered a moderate Republican by most, is also facing a tough sell to the conservative base of the Republican Party, should be choose to run for the party’s presidential nomination, partly because of his public praise for President Obama’s handing of Superstorm Sandy and partly because of liberal legislation that has passed in New Jersey under his watch. Pundits disagree on whether Chris Christie has a legitimate shot at winning the GOP nomination despite being unpopular with the right wing of the party .
Chris Christie doesn’t need to worry about any of that until he gets back to New Jersey on Monday night. For now, he can kick back and catch some rays in sunny Puerto Rico .
[Image Via Shutterstock]
