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Kean Sr joins the Christie feeding frenzy

Former Governor Tom Kean, Sr dealt a body blow to his former protégé today in an interview published by The Washington Post.

Governor Chris Christie and former Governor Tom Kean Sr celebrate the first annual Livingston Day, April 11, 2013. Photo by Tim Larsen/Governor's Office

Governor Chris Christie and former Governor Tom Kean Sr celebrate the first annual Livingston Day, April 11, 2013. Photo by Tim Larsen/Governor’s Office

“On the one hand, I think he’s got a lot to offer. I think he’s the most able politician since Bill Clinton,” Kean (R) said in an interview with The Washington Post. “On the other hand, you look at these other qualities and ask, do you really want that in your president?”

Kean’s comments come as the current governor is beset by controversy over revelations that officials loyal to Christie engineered closure of part of the George Washington Bridge in September, inconveniencing tens of thousands of state residents in an apparent act of vindictiveness against a local mayor.

There is no evidence that Christie knew of the actions of his subordinates and appointees, some of whom he has since fired. But Kean — who has known Christie since the current governor was a teenager — faulted Christie for establishing a culture in his tight inner circle in which no one “will ever say no to him, and that is dangerous.”

He also said that Christie’s approach to governing is overly aggressive and his agenda is personal.

In a press conference last month, Christie said he had not talked to Kean Sr since the attempt to oust Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr from his leadership post.  Kean Sr has characterized Christie’s ill-fated attempt to replace Kean Jr with State Senator Kevin O’Toole as a personal betrayal.

Christie’s got some fence mending to do.

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Posted: January 11th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: 2016 Presidential Politics, Chris Christie, Christie Administration, NJ GOP, Tom Kean JR, Tom Kean Sr | Tags: , , , , , | 9 Comments »

9 Comments on “Kean Sr joins the Christie feeding frenzy”

  1. Body blow For Sure said at 4:09 pm on January 11th, 2014:

    From what I believe is the best governor we ever had–a true bi-partisan leader.

  2. Kean Sr. said at 4:26 pm on January 11th, 2014:

    is just having a hissy fit over how his son was treated. He should be ashamed of himself.

  3. Bob English said at 5:01 pm on January 11th, 2014:

    Christie would have been wise to call Kean Sr. out of respect prior to making his move against Kean Jr.

  4. Agree with ya Bob said at 5:05 pm on January 11th, 2014:

    Respect–now that’s the key word. But instead he treated the old man with disdain.

  5. Kean Sr joins the Christie feeding frenzy | The Save Jersey Blog said at 5:08 pm on January 11th, 2014:

    […] By Art Gallagher | MoreMonmouthMusings.com […]

  6. David said at 11:27 pm on January 11th, 2014:

    I appreciate that Chris Christie stood up to President Obama, the Dem legislative leaders, the NYC real estate interests and big labor when he cancelled the ARC Tunnel. I am standing with him here.

  7. Bridge problems or not, said at 10:53 am on January 12th, 2014:

    this Gov.,and many elected officials at all levels, can learn a valuable lesson, as we go through this likely unrelenting, overblown coverage we will endure,of a bad political decision and organizational attitude. Philosophically, most of the NJ Republicans are too liberal, for my personal taste. That being said, many years of trying to help beat back the even more liberal and destructive Dems,and their damaging decisions, has taught me that “there are ways, and there are ways.”.. Meaning: if a successful group, who happens to win and be in-charge, doesn’t get that they are not there forever, that they need to remember who helped get them there, and that there are limits to their power and how they treat people, history proves that they either won’t be there long, or their fall will be swift and painful.. Like him or not, Gov. Kean remains one of the most beloved pols in our state, for many reasons: because of his class, his uncanny ability to remember names for decades, his ability to command respect, his knowledge, good humor, and continually keeping current with issues, and always being out there networking, statewide.. Both his son and this Gov. ( and those around them) would benefit greatly, by taking a few pages out of this man’s book- if they want to be,and think they will be relevant tomorrow, next year, or years from now.

  8. Kate Mosso from Chasing NJ said at 2:26 pm on January 12th, 2014:

    after reading the new docs related to the closures, I gotta say Christie’s officials are out-of-hand. taxpayer dollars are basically being burned and NJ is not looking any better than it was before Gov Christie. this state could benefit from a fiscal conservative, but who knows if NJ Republicans will ever run such a candidate in this blue state….shoutout to Steve Lonegan!

  9. @Kate said at 10:43 pm on January 12th, 2014:

    Kate, The governor picked them. He trusted them. They advised him (it remains to be seen on Bridgetgate) He deserves the responsibility AND blame!