Chris Christie Is Going To Reimburse State For Private Helicopter Trips

Above the post update:

He says he was told no costs and they had to log x number of hours anyway.

Now saying, it's the schedule thing. He works a lot, can't always get to things by car.

The family thing may play with some folks but a lot of people have the same pressures and not that kind of resource.

Pivots to the issues.

Original Post:
Yesterday the State Police said the trips cost nothing.

Today? Here's a check.

Gov. Chris Christie and the state Republican Party will repay the state for two trips on a State Police helicopter to get to his son's baseball games.

...The Republican State Committee has paid $1,232.29 for the flight from the Tuesday baseball game to Princeton, the Republican State Committee said today.

"The check has already been delivered," said party spokesman Rick Gorka.

He said the governor is reimbursing the state $1,232.30 for the flight to the game.

In addition, Christie is also paying $919.20 for a flight on Friday to see his son play in another baseball game.

(Removed since I misread the story I quoted)

Obviously, this wasn't about money at any point. It's appearances. You can't be the guy who is cutting spending, then show up in a helicopter and get in a limo for a 100 yard ride to the game?

I'm going to guess that Christie probably gives up a lot of time with his kids for work and felt he needs to be at these games. Well, so do a lot of parents, especially ones working two jobs or more.

This was just an incredibly tone-deaf error from a guy who has made his name taking on tough issues in large part through the force of his image. Mr. Blue Collar Truth Teller was looking mighty imperial yesterday.

I doubt this will hurt Christie's national image. In NJ? It's already giving Democrats plenty of ammunition.

He's doing an even in Jersey shortly. CNN says they'll go live. We'll see what if anything he says.

posted by DrewM. at 04:06 PM

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