Democrats Rip Christie In Advance Of Fallon Show

Asbury Park Press
By John Schoonejongen
June 12, 2014

New Jersey Democrats and activists have a message for Gov. Chris Christie before his appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon tonight: The condition of the Garden State is not that funny.

“When the going gets tough, it’s time to get going, not to start joking,” said Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie in a statement.

Christie will be appearing with Fallon tonight for the fourth time, shows that included a duet of Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” and a slow-jam of the news, both of which were touted in a news release from the governor’s office in advance of the Thursday show

But a group critical of Christie, One New Jersey, called attention to its own video, from last year, that called the governor out for a sputtering economy and examined the difference between the funny “TV Christie” and what the group says are his failed and not-so- hilarious policies.

Democratic strategist Joshua Henne also ripped the governor for his talk show appearances.

“The rest of the country now knows a bit more about the real Chris Christie, and how he is quite different than the cartoon character who perfected the art of celebrity through late night tv, softball town halls and manufactured YouTube moments,” said Henne. “It’s one thing to giggle about Springsteen with Jimmy Fallon, but quite another to answer for breaking the economy, closing down a bridge, misusing Sandy relief funds and consistently trailing America when it comes to jobs and foreclosures.”

Christie’s appearance will be broadcast on NBC at 11:35 p.m. tonight.