Romney, Christie Clash with Occupy Protesters at NH Rally
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(EXETER, N.H.) — At a New Hampshire rally meant to be all about boosting support for Mitt Romney, protesters instead took center stage on Sunday, evoking colorful responses from both Romney and his outspoken surrogate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who at one time referred to one of the protesters as “sweetheart.”
“Really?” said Christie, as soon as protesters interrupted him — the second outburst of the night from the group, who had already gone after Romney. “You know, something may go down tonight, but it ain’t going to be jobs, sweetheart.”
“See it’s this confusion that’s out there because if she was in New Jersey like these Jersey girls out there she would know that we’ve created 60,000 new private sector jobs after Jon Corzine killed 120,000,” Christie said. “And if she wasn’t so blinded by her Barack Obama-induced anger, she’d know that American jobs are coming back when Mitt Romney is the next president of the United States, and if she wasn’t so disorientated by the loss of hope and change she’d understand that Mitt Romney is the hope for America’s future.”
Christie continued on, going further to blame the protester’s anger on Obama.
“See, beware, this is a warning, this is a cautionary tale, be inspired by someone who has built a life that America can be proud of, not by a Chicago ward politician,” Christie said. “I doubt he is, but I hope the president’s watching. I have a message for you Mr. President. This is the type of disoriented anger your cynicism and your division is causing in our country. Bring our country together, stop dividing it, Mr. President.”
“On second thought, Mr. President, if you’re up there in the family quarters of the White House, put your feet up and don’t worry about it. Mitt Romney’s going to bring America together,” Christie added.
The protesters, members of a local Occupy Wall Street contingent, had already disrupted Romney’s speech before Christie took the microphone.
Romney, who has dealt with protestors a few times now during his campaign events across the country, quickly shot back, “Oh, this is our regular crowd here.”
“We’re happy to have you guys express your views,” he said. “Next time do it with more courtesy.”
But when Romney was approached again by protesters in the overflow room after the event, his patience seemed to have been worn thin.
As protestors yelled about who was to blame for the failing economy, Romney spun around on his heels, going back to address the crowd.
“You know what?” Romney said. “This president has caused a deepening recession and is responsible for 25 million Americans being out of work or stopped working or not being able to get jobs, and let me tell you, this president’s been a failure and that’s one of the reasons I’m running is to help you get a job.”
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