New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie, whose state has been battered by super-storm Sandy, said President Obama has been “outstanding” in his response to the disaster that hit the East Coast.
Christie on Tuesday morning emphasized the severity of the damage, saying 2.4 million people are without power in the Garden State, and that there have been three deaths and substantial flooding.
“It's a major disaster,” Christie said on NBC’s Today, adding, “We have a battered, battered New Jersey shore that I hope to tour a little bit later on today, but I think the losses are going to be almost incalculable.”
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Christie called federal response “great,” and said that telephone conversations with the president and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials “have been excellent.” He said Obama called him at midnight to check in, the third time the two have spoken during the storm.
“The president has been outstanding in this,” Christie said.
Regarding funding for the disaster, Christie said he wasn't concerned with the budget process at the moment, touting the federal funding New Jersey will likely receive.
“I think we'll get significant federal assistance on this, and the major disaster declaration last night by the president is incredibly helpful in that regard,” Christie said. “We'll work with our federal partners on this.”
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Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who Christie often represents on the trail and on morning shows, is considering a trip to New Jersey, the Associated Press is reporting. But Christie said on Tuesday he was unaware of any plans.
“I have a job in New Jersey that is much bigger than presidential politics," Christie said on Fox & Friends. "I couldn't care less about that.”
He echoed the sentiment on CNN's Starting Point, after mentioning his third conversation with Obama.
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"(Obama) has been incredibly supportive and helpful to our state and not once did he bring up the election," Christie said on CNN. "If he's not bringing it up, you can be sure that people in New Jersey are not worried about that, primarily if one of the guys running isn't.”
Lara Seligman and Jonathan Miller contributed
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