Atlantic City Council President Wants Chris Christie To Focus On NJ, Not Trump
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., (CBS) -- Chris Christie's endorsement of his former rival, Donald Trump, comes four days before the crucial Super Tuesday primaries.
New Jersey residents just got their governor back, and they have a lot to say about Christie's return to the campaign trail. Much like when he was campaigning, Christie is not in New Jersey and he's off endorsing a man whose name still looms large in New Jersey -- not necessarily in a positive light.
A financial crisis has Atlantic City on the verge of a state takeover and the news that Governor Christie is far from home campaigning for Trump has some wondering...where's the focus on our needs?
Chris Christie Endorses Donald Trump
"The presidential campaign is more important than the state of New Jersey and Atlantic City and the residents. I am one of the residents that can't get a job because Atlantic City and New Jersey are so messed up," said Betsy Rush, an Atlantic City native.
Some say it's ironic that Christie is supporting Trump whose brash personality trumped Christie's on the campaign trail. At the same time, many people attribute Atlantic City's woes to the over-development of casino gaming which Trump had a hand in.
"He's the best man to lead America back to greatness," Christie told CBS News. "There is no one who can be a stronger, tougher executive in Washington, who can turn it upside down the way it needs to be. This is the guy who can do it. He's my friend. He's smart. He's tough and he's going to make America keep its word again around the world."
"I have many people they want to endorse me," Trump said. "But, they need hours of time and everything else. The one person that I really wanted was Chris Christie."
While Trump is happy that he got his man, Atlantic City officials are wondering when they will get their governor. With Atlantic City mired in a financial crisis, and on the brink of a state take over, City Council President Marty Small says Christie needs to worry about home.
Small is wondering who will help make Atlantic City great again.
"That seems to be par for the course – absent from the state that he's supposed to govern," said Small.
Previously, Christie characterized some of Trump's ideas as unrealistic. Could he possibly help Trump as a vice presidential candidate?
A lot of people are wondering that.