Gov. Christie: ‘We Do Not Anticipate Travel Bans, Evacuations At This Point’

Governor Chris Christie returnedfrom New Hampshire Friday evening and declared a state of emergency as the New Jersey braced for a massive storm that will likely bring blizzard conditions and more than a foot of snow to much of the state.

His wife, Mary Pat Christie, stayed in New Hampshire to fill in for him at campaign events. “Unfortunately for them, we know how to do this”.

“Chris Christie wasn’t even going to return to New Jersey until he was shamed into it”, said Rubio spokesman Alex Conant in an email to The Associated Press.

“I don’t govern for approval ratings, I govern for results, and what you see in New Jersey today are results”, he remarked.

Christie said roadways had been pre-brined but suggested people stay home on Saturday. He adds that Christie could schedule a bigger event later in New Hampshire or visit voters’ homes in return for canceling his appearances this weekend.

Officials are beginning to assess the beach erosion and flood damage caused by a major nor’easter snowstorm that churned the surf and caused tides to swell in southern New Jersey.

The PATCO Hi-Speedline expects to run “at our scheduled 25- and 30-minute (intervals) throughout the weekend, but (we) are preparing adjustments to the departures times because of the need to run at lower speeds”, said John Rink, the transit line’s general manager.

He also got TV airtime, calling into CNN, Fox News, and NBC – and brushing off criticism on the timing of his decision to return to New Jersey.

“That’s a difference between a United States senator who has never been responsible for anything and a governor who is responsible for everything that goes on in your state”, said Christie. “I’ll be on another call tonight”, Christie told WMUR Thursday, as he hoped to remain in New Hampshire to campaign.

The shore town just south of Atlantic City won a court ruling last month when a judge said it’s entitled to a new hearing to challenge whether the state is justified in using eminent domain to acquire town-owned beachfront lots.

“When you’re not a candidate, you don’t deserve to be evaluated as to whether you’d be a good president or not”, Christie said.

Christie was in sixth place among GOP primary candidates as of Friday afternoon, according to national survey aggregator the HuffPost Pollster.