Brian Williams Reporting: Interview With New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
NBC ID: ARHPFOAIK8 | Media Type: Aired Show | Air Date(s): 10/21/2010 | Event Date(s): 10/21/2010Transcript
Event Date(s): 10/21/2010 | Event Location(s): Scotch Plains, New Jersey | Description: INT SCOTCH PLAINS, NEW JERSEY MS: In interview New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says "I can't pay for it. It's-- they're-- we're talking $2 to $5 billion over the current New Jersey investment, which is $5.7 billion of the total $8.7 billion cost. Brian, I don't have the money." MS: Anchor Brian Williams asks "But couldn't you find the money? Isn't there a way? If you really wanted it. If you really wanted it for a long term investment." Christie: Listen, we're one state. We're the State of New Jersey. And no, I can't find the money. I can't print money like the Federal Government. I have the third highest debt load of any state in America. STILL Christie. INT SCOTCH PLAINS Williams: Here's-- here's-- it's-- Times goes on. "Here's how you should think about the decision to kill the tunnel. It's a terrible thing in itself, but beyond that, it's a perfect symbol of how America has lost its way." You're being tied to the nation losing its way by your decision. Christie: Yeah, by the New York Times. I'll take a deep bow for that, Brian. I don't really care. They don't have the responsibility to balance the budget. Williams: You just finished a town hall meeting-- here in this club in Scotch Plains. You are-- you are going after the teachers union aggressively. INT SCOTCH PLAINS MS: At town hall meeting, Christie says "Whether you do a good job or a bad job, you get to keep your job." INT SCOTCH PLAINS In interview Williams continues: When are you going to know when the line is? When you're going to need good quality teachers to educate children in New Jersey? Christie: We need good quality teachers. And we have plenty of them. But I separate the union and the teachers. The union leadership is extraordinarily detached, I think, from the experience of the everyday teacher. And everyday teachers in New Jersey are taxpayers, too. And they understand that we can't continue to spend the way we're spending. STILLS Insert stills of Christie at campaign rallies for other candidates. INT SCOTCH PLAINS Williams: How about-- your life outside of New Jersey? Campaigning for other candidates? Hank McNamara, in The Record writes, "He is politicking on our time. Christie for now may be seen as a GOP conquering hero, in Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Iowa. But he will come home." Sounds vaguely threatening. Christie: Yeah, well, I am home. And, you know, I think in the last two months, I've spent a total of six days out of New Jersey. Out of 60. I don't think the people of New Jersey are all that upset about that. And candidly, it gives me an opportunity to go around the country and rebrand New Jersey. STILL Christie delivering speech. INT SCOTCH PLAINS Williams: With the election coming up, where do you place Barack Obama's presidency so far? Christie: There's a number of things that I think the President has done well. I think he's been a leader in education reform. Where I've been disappointed is I think he's been incredibly partisan. Now, that's not to say Republicans haven't been partisan, too, because they have. Now, he seems kind of angry about things, when I see him out on the campaign trail. And I don't think that President Obama does angry well. I don't think that suits him well. I mean, he hasn't forced members of his party to be post-partisan. And he hasn't embarrassed Republicans who want to be just baldly partisan into going in another direction. But I think he respects me. I obviously believe he does, because he appointed me to this trade council. And I'm happy to serve. Because he's the President of the United States. And-- I felt that way from the day he was elected. STILLS Christie shaking hands with President Barack Obama. Christie delivering speech. (no signoff)