Chris Christie Smacks Down WaPo's Capehart: 'I’m Not Going to be Cross-Examined By You'
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and the Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart got into quite a heated debate about same sex marriage on MSNBC's Morning Joe Thursday.
When Capehart aggressively tried to grill Christie, the Governor scolded, “I used to be a prosecutor. I don’t know if you did too, but I’m not going to be cross-examined by you this morning” (video follows with transcribed highlights and commentary):
The issue at hand was Christie’s recent veto of New Jersey’s same sex marriage bill with Capehart challenging the Governor’s contention that his view on this matter is the same as Barack Obama’s.
“The key difference between you and the President is while you support putting the civil rights of a minority up for a public referendum, the President is not in favor, is certainly not in favor of that,” said Capehart.
“Has he said that, Jonathan?” asked Christie. “I haven’t heard him say that.”
Not surprisingly, Capehart refused to answer leading Christie to observe, “The President is silent on this like he’s silent on every issue that’s difficult for him.”
Capehart replied, “The President and the Justice Department have made it clear that they believe that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act is un-Constitutional. They’re not supporting it in any of the court cases going through the federal court system.”
At this point, Capehart repeatedly asked, “Would you support that,” leading Christie to admonish him.
“I used to be a prosecutor. I don’t know if you did too, but I’m not going to be cross-examined by you this morning,” scolded Christie.
Capehart replied, “I’m having fun trying.”
“I know, you’re going to lose,” Christie smartly retorted.
“Let’s have the President of the United States show some courage, come on this program, look into the camera like I’m looking into the camera and state his position,” the Governor continued. “He won’t because he wants to have it both ways.”
“I’m not looking to have it both ways,” said Christie. “I vetoed the bill. That’s my position. What I’ve offered to the supporters of same sex marriage is if one of your reasons for why I should have signed it is because you’re telling me the majority of the people in New Jersey want it then prove it. Put it on the ballot and prove it. At least I’m standing up for what I believe in. The President has hidden on this issue, Jonathan, he’s hidden on it. He wants to have it both ways.”
Co-host Mika Brzezinski then asked Capehart, “Would you agree that he hasn’t been as vocal as he could have been on this, and why?”
“Has the President come right out and said, ‘I’m in favor of same sex marriage?’’ responded Capehart. “No. When he’s been asked the question three times now, he said he’s evolving on the issue.”
This elicited laughter from folks on the set leading Christie to marvelously reply, “His evolution will end after Election Day 2012 when he has no more political risk. This is the type of political cowardice that we don’t want.”
Moments later, Harold Ford Jr. weighed in saying, “I’m with Governor Christie on this. I think the President can’t have it both ways.”
Actually, with media shills like Capehart, he obviously can.
(H/T NewsBusters member cobokat)
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Comments
Capehart is a dope.
Submitted by WarEagle66 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:36am.
Capehart is a dope.
He's also a Nancy Boy.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:47am.
To paraphrase that famous, brilliant, smarter-than-a-third-grader, RBFSOB in the White House; "Never bring a fairy-boy girlie-man to a real guy fight.
What would it take to get Christie to run for president? It would be worth it just to watch him kick the press ass at news conferences!
Unplug, Jonathan, and try really hard to man up.
Marxist Homo-dope.
Submitted by BBallleaper on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:27pm.
The worst kind. And now residing at 1600 PA Ave.
Well said WarEagle66
Submitted by woburn828 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 6:51pm.
Short and to the point.
It is quite odd the way Obama
Submitted by MrSnuggles on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:43am.
It is quite odd the way Obama avoids the gay marriage issue while using his media minions to press the republican candidates on other social issues. It could come back to bite him, especially with the black vote.
Not a chance, Snuggles.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:51am.
Da One has different speeches for different folks, and the majority of his constituents are so flocking stupid that they don't have a clue who or what Bambi is unless they just heard it from him in the last 24 hours.
speeches
Submitted by driguana on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:44pm.
Yes, and in different dialects and speech patterns, too.....how convenient!!!
dialects and accents
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:08pm.
He had at least 8 dialects/accents during the SOTU Campaign speech. It was really bizarre listening to it.
-Jon
He practices his little performances Jon
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 2:03pm.
A lot.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Blonde
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:27pm.
Loved that blog entry. Thanks.
Blonde.....I am definitely NOT an
Submitted by Rush Fan on Fri, 02/24/2012 - 12:36am.
Obama Fan either. ♥♥
Capehart thought he could get the best of Christie.
Submitted by drsamherman on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:55am.
Per his bios available online, I cannot find any evidence that Capehart is an attorney or graduate of any law school. All I find is references to his past press and political credentials, and the constant mention that he is openly gay.
I imagine he thought he could engage Governor Christie for a gotcha soundbite, but there was no place to go. Governor Christie, as a former prosecutor, has more than likely heard every parlor and courtroom trick by people who watch too much Perry Mason. Capehart is not that intelligent relative to the rest of the panel, with the glaring exception of Mika "Dumb as a Bag of Hammers" Brzezinski.
Capehart suffers from the worst form of political mental illness in existence: the overconfident, self-deluded elitist. That he looks down his nose through his "Look! I'm smart!" glasses is obvious. Problem is, he does not have the debating skills when it comes to a strong opponent who is well prepared for the theatrics and histrionics employed by so many liberals in place of facts.
drsamherman
Submitted by amyshulk on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 3:19pm.
Thanks - you saved me a LOT of typing, and said it *much* better! Capehart is another reason I've just deleted the MJ's for the past few weeks. I'm sick to death of these snobs and their obvious bias!
Ronald Reagan
I was thinking....
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 4:03pm.
"As dumb as a bag of Blonde hair"
Looks like Tinkerbell . . . .
Submitted by Clemenza on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:59am.
. . . . . got it handed to him. This kind of reminds me of a certain scene in a movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7sCxS6N3-4
three white people
Submitted by jimtrees on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:03pm.
Laughing at a black man during black history month should be a crime. Come on Mika, what are you thinking?
A flamer goes down in flames.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:09pm.
The 'he is evolving' defense is beyond pathetic.
Maybe the pretending Prez will let us know after the election
Submitted by needle on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:30pm.
I hope; just so long as it does not matter.
- Looking forward to the self-annihilation of the Manipulated Stories Machine.
They'd call this flip-flopping if it were a republican
Submitted by Rover on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:31pm.
Yes, if he were a Republican, the MSM wouldn't say he was evolving, they'd say he was flip-flopping. And they'd be right.
He said
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:10pm.
“The key difference between you and the President is while you support putting the civil rights of a minority up for a public referendum, the President is not in favor, is certainly not in favor of that,” said Capehart.
I wouldn't be in favor of that either. What I would favor is having a group of people, that for years have insisted that there is no difference between them and anyone else, why they should be a "minority?"
Before asking for special legislation to fundamentally change the definition of marriage, how about providing undisputable, scientific or medical evidence that you are different, other than by choosing to have sex a different way?
Capehart got
Submitted by bkeyser on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:15pm.
squished -- I mean, squashed on that one.
I think Capehart wants it both ways ;0
Submitted by OxyCon on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 3:00pm.
Political activism masked as journalism.
All he had to do was sit on him!
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:17pm.
Why would Christie even go on these lame arsed lib shows in the first place? He does go on Morning Schmo alot-whyissat?
Good question, NJ.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:34pm.
Maybe he just enjoys kicking their stupid asses?
msnbc
Submitted by driguana on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:46pm.
How anyone can watch that progoganda machine msnbc is beyond me....it's like watching a comedy show.....well, it is comedy.
Just like that, eh?
Submitted by ThisnThat on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:25pm.
Jonathan: "The president doesn't support the defense of marriage act. And has instructed his DOJ to not follow the law".
Doesn't surprise me. All dictators believe they are above the law.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
Happy!!
Submitted by cobokat on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:44pm.
I was SO HAPPY to see this smack down!!
He may be a RINO...
Submitted by AMR1960 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:45pm.
...But at least he enjoys charging full-throttle at "Donkeys" LOL...
_____________________
Long Live...THE REPUBLIC !
Boom!
Submitted by Bill Brasky on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:46pm.
Another stammering, bed wetting liberal "journalist" destroyed by Christie. Bravo!
Love my Governor...
Submitted by MacWell on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:58pm.
But, he still has a long way to go here in Jersey. Governor Christie can make a difference, if he is willing. What he must do, is start a campaign to rid Trenton of the career politicians who have turned it into a den of lawyers and thieves, much like our poor excuse for a representative Congress.
Politics should not be a career, the two are incompatible. First off Congress was never meant to be a career. A career in politics, with all the power it entails, provides we frail humans too much opportunity for corruption. Lobbyists throw suitcases full of money at some Congress critter and we expect him/her to turn it down year after year. Congressmen are more interested in their next election than they are about issues we think are important. The next election, the next perk, the next stock tip.
I ask my fellow Americans here, when are we the people going to put an end to the good old boys club that is our Congress?
These people trade their votes like baseball cards, and laugh at us in the meantime.
They set their own compensation packages, work when and if they feel like it. They spend our money with no regard to the effects those spending decisions have on us. They vacation in luxury at our expense. They hire their families, in many times with no show or no work jobs, to mask their avarice. They all but ignore the very people who sent them there, unless it's election time, then, they are our friends, and ask us for more money.
I ask again people, what's it gonna take to get us, the silent majority, to put an end to this frankenstein's monster?
Sure, we the people must defeat Obama and his Marxist band of merry henchmen, but we also must begin to reclaim America before it's too late.
We must begin to rid Washington DC of all career politicians.
I was positively delighted
Submitted by lotr on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 2:23pm.
I was positively delighted when I heard that Gov. Christie had the balls to veto what may be appropriately described as utter insanity.
That was great!
Submitted by inquiringmind on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 3:02pm.
Even H. Ford agreed with Christy.
Jonathan is such a tool.
This SHOULD BE OUR NOMINEE
Submitted by Tomorama on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 4:12pm.
To some that note Christie is a Rino.
I would bet my house that he would do far better than Santorum against Obysmal.
FAR, FAR better.
Christie is closer to a normal Republican than Santorum is.
Christie is what the party needs.
Balls count and common sense and a common touch count for something and there is NO politician who I agree with on everything - NONE.
The laugh line about Obysmal "evolving" and Christie smacking that bullsh** out of the park with my morning coffee and bagel - PRICELESS.
Capeheart cares more about Obysmal being black than what he HAS SAID ABOUT BEING PERSONALLY AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE.
Chris Christie is my Governor
Submitted by Free Stinker on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 5:04pm.
But I'd rather have Santorum go up against Obama.
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Why would Gov. Chris Christie be considered a RINO?
Submitted by Rush Fan on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 5:52pm.
Perhaps it is due to his belief in the 'dire effects' of CO2 and man-made Global Warming. Christie is so "Green" that he has banned new coal plants in New Jersey, intends to shut down current coal plants, and is committed to New Jersey's 2021 Renewables & Efficiency Standard, which will dramatically increase energy costs in that state for businesses and households. So Chris Christie is a big supporter of Al Gore's hoax!
Perhaps Chris Christie, if he decides to run someday, is better suited to run as a Democrat or Green Party candidate. At least he would get the endorsement of Al Gore.
------------------------------------
Additional References;
Tom Marr totally exposing Chris Christie as a RINO.
Chris Christie is a RINO
I also don't think Christie supports the 2nd ammendment
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:30pm.
Although I don't want him as president, I sure do enjoy the press beat downs.
Radical1979......I also appreciate how Gov. Christie
Submitted by Rush Fan on Fri, 02/24/2012 - 12:22am.
handles the Leftist media. But the more I listen to and research Chris Christie, the more I believe he is a moderate or progressive politician, the type of politician who is apt to say: "Can't we all get along and compromise?" Similar to RINO John McCain. For example, here are a few selections from his interview with CNN's Piers Morgan this past Tuesday:
MORGAN: Governor, let's talk about the economy, because there's no doubt that despite your best efforts to portray it as a continuing fiasco, the American economy is improving and that is good news for Barack Obama. And you can see it in the latest poll ratings. The figures out today in one poll I read showed that his approval rating in New Jersey is significantly up now in where it was in November. So this has to be a concern for the Republicans as they go into the proper election battle, doesn't it?
CHRISTIE: Well, first of all, I don't think it's my obligation to characterize the economy as a fiasco. I mean here in New Jersey, things are getting better. The New Jersey comeback has begun here. And we've taken a lot of affirmative steps beyond what's happened in Washington to put people back to work, 60,000 new private sector jobs since I've been governor. [.....]
MORGAN: Did you approve, instinctively, yourself, of the bailout of the auto industry?
CHRISTIE: Listen, you know, I've got to tell you the truth, I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about it because what I was doing at the time -- [.....]
MORGAN: But you know why I'm asking you. I'm asking you because Mitt Romney has come under fire for continuing to be critical of the bailout, even when you have GM releasing some record profits, which are clearly indicative that the bailout has worked.
CHRISTIE: Well, listen, when you have Mitt Romney on, you should ask him. [.....]
MORGAN: You think the bailout was a success?
CHRISTIE: Listen, by the way, I've given the president plenty of credit on things when he deserves it. I --
-------------------------------------
Does Chris Christie's answers to these and other questions in the interview appear to be answers a Conservative or a real Republican would give? Or a Romney supporter? I think not.
It's NOT fair for Governor Chris Christie to attack Capehart! As
Submitted by Rush Fan on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 5:09pm.
an openly gay lisping Lefty, who unsuccessfully attempts to portray himself as a journalist, Capehart has enough problems in his life.
Jonathan Capehart is such a idiot
Submitted by djwolf12 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 6:54pm.
"President Obama is evolving through this issue thru the Justice Department". So in other words...........He won't go on record and will go through Inspector Clouseau (Eric Holder) and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to keep overturning what everyone keeps voting for......and that is voting AGAINST Gay Marriage. When the people have their say, these liberal Marxists HATE it and try to overturn it. How many times has Prop 8 been voted on and rejected by the State of California?
Hmmm let me see here....
Submitted by jdripper on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 10:51pm.
Gov. Christie 1 and Jonathan Capehart 0...that is a zero not an O for Obama, well actually they are the same.
Jack
I saw this.........
Submitted by GregE on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 10:55pm.
.........it was quite entertaining.
Kudos, Governor
Submitted by lesterwink23 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:09pm.
I'm surprised any lib democrat is still willing to debate Gov. Christie or challenge him on any of his positions. Note to the libtards out there: he's not backing down, so just deal with it.