Christie Campaigns at Westfield Diner

Chris Christie, the Republican nominee for governor, brought his campaign to the Westfield Diner on North Avenue on Monday.

After greetings members of the diner staff, Christie made his way around the restaurant to talk with those that were enjoying a meal at the establishment. Individuals seemed very excited to be meeting with him and took the opportunity to get a picture and assure him that he had their votes.

He then addressed a crowd of local politicians, volunteers, and supporters in a back room of the diner.  He thanked everyone for their support and hard work up to this point. With four weeks left until the election, Christie said he holds five to six points lead over Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine. Recent public opinion polls have showed Corzine narrowing the lead over Christie statewide, cutting the Republican's former double digit lead.

Christie, a former U.S. Attorney and Morris County freeholder, was quite confident in his ability to have this election go in his favor. He said "Jon Corzine can't obscure his record forever." 

Christie said Corzine had made too many mistakes during his term such as taking away property tax relief during a recession.  Christie reiterated his campaign platform saying that he believes there are reasons that Corzine's administration has not been successful for the state. Christie again proposed that the state needs to cut spending to solve it's current economic woes.

While Christie was confident about his lead over his opponent, he said doesn't have time to rest yet, saying he needs supporters to continue to work hard for himself and his running mate, Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno. He told those in attendance to encourage all of their friends and family to get out and vote. Saying that they had met him, looked him in the eye, and believed his message would be much more meaningful than any commercial that he could create.

Christie related to his audience by sharing that he had lived in an apartment in Westfield when he was first married to his wife. His connections to the town continue with his chief political advisor, Bill Palatucci living in town and both being top supporters.

This is not Christie's first stop in Westfield. He made several primary campaign stops in town and in July he and Guadagno conducted a round table discussion on higher education issues at Westfield High School.. Guadagno did door -to-door campaigning in the first ward in the late summer and Bramnick hosted a fundraiser for Christie at his home in the Gardens.

He finished by painting a picture of inauguration day, in which two former federal corruption officers (himself and Guadagno) enter Trenton victorious.  He promised that he and Guadagno would "turn Trenton upside down!"

He was met with a large amount of applause by all those in attendance.