Rand Paul Already Taking Shots At Chris Christie
They are the two most talked-about prospects for the 2016 GOP prez nomination – and, late yesterday, the Kentucky senator decided to criticize the newly-reelected New Jersey governor over – wait for it – TV commercials!
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) — both possible 2016 Republican presidential contenders — may be at odds again, the day after Christie celebrated his reelection.
During a Senate hearing Wednesday on the federal response to Hurricane Sandy, Paul voiced his disproval of the way some have politicized television ads meant to garner support for recovery fund campaigns.
Though Paul did not address Christie by name, he railed against funding campaigns in New Jersey that heavily featured political candidates, saying the ads give “a little bit of a black eye” to recovery efforts. The October 2012 storm killed more than 148 people and caused $68 billion in property damage.
“Some of these ads, people who are running for office put their mug all over the ads while they’re in the middle of a political campaign,” Paul said. “In New Jersey, $25 million was spent on ads that included somebody running for political office.”
Paul said this could create “a conflict of interest,” upsetting taxpayers who expect their dollars to be spent otherwise.
“And that’s why, when people are trying to do good and trying to use the taxpayer’s money wisely, they’re offended to see our money spent on political ads. That’s just offensive,” he said.
