Christie In Belmar: Nearly Half His Time Spent On Hurricane Sandy Recovery

Gov. Christie told a packed Belmar crowd Tuesday that he still spends nearly half his time on Hurricane Sandy recovery, noting that he's fighting for every dollar needed to rebuild the Jersey Shore.

Christie said he's personally not withholding money from towns and politicians who have opposed him, saying Sandy recovery funding is "not in my top desk drawer."

Christie was accused by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer earlier this year of threatening to withhold Sandy recovery money because of a politically connected redevelopment plan she opposed.

Christie faced a friendly crowd at the Belmar Borough Gymnasium, and escaped the disruptions that marred parts of his South River Town Hall last week.

"What I can tell you about the people you elected in Monmouth County, both Democrat and Republican, is that they are there for you," he told the group.

Christie also defended the state's summer tourism campaign, saying he will continue to use the word "strong" in the program, though it wasn't clear whether he will continue to trumpet the phrase, "Stronger Than The Storm."

Christie didn't appear to address the "Bridgegate" George Washington lane-closure scandal directly, though he may have made veiled references to his dropping political support.

Christie told the crowd that, when someone is elected governor, "you never know what's going to come across their desk."

"I really, really appreciate the sense of support I get from people around the state," he said. "I know there are times there are things I say that you don't agree with, but you believe that I'm doing my best."

John Currie, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, reacted to the town hall Tuesday, saying the governor again the event as a platform to talk himself up and to blame others for the state's problems. 

"Superstorm Sandy survivors were left out in the cold, literally. Many are carrying mortgages on homes they have had to abandon. Meanwhile, the Christie administration dodged legislative hearings, skirted monitoring laws, ignored public records requests, and concealed the termination of a multimillion dollar contract," he said in a statement.

"Monologues full of excuses, quips and spin may entertain the media, but with so many lingering questions about multiple ongoing scandals, Governor Christie's credibility is completely shot."