Bloomfield Reacts to Christie's Decision

At a 1:00 pm press conference today,   The announcement, which came amid growing public speculation that Christie would throw his hat in the ring, sparked some local reaction at the Town Pub on Broad Street this afternoon. 

“I’d like it if he ran.  I'd have definitely voted for him,” said Moises Pagan, owner of MP Heating and Air Conditioning company.  “I like the fact that he’s tough.” 

Pagan’s buddy Barry, with whom Pagan was sharing a beer, said he definitely would not have voted for Christie. “I heard he’s taking away from education, and the kids.” 

“I think he’s doing a lot for self-employed people, and people who work. People who do for themselves,” Pagan responded. 

Another customer, Joe (who preferred to give only his first name) disagreed.  “I think [Christie] hurts the working person,” he said. “I’m happy he’s not running.  He’s filthy rich.  That’s who he’s for.  He says, ‘I’m not going to raise the taxes of the rich’ and then goes after the middle class.  He’s not for us.”

Michael Manzo, a self-employed electrician from Parsippany, said Christie would have made a good president.  “He’s done good things for self-employed people.  He’s getting things under control.”

“If Christie had run I would have voted for him,” said Dennis O’Donnell, who added that his next choice was Herman Cain.  “Give [Christie] a few years.  He’ll run and he’ll win.  He’s what the country needs.”

O’Donnell, Vice President at ATT Sports Inc. in Berlin NJ, was visiting Town Pub with ATT Sports Director of Operations, Cheryl Martin.  They had stopped for lunch at the pub after inspecting the new running track at Foley Field, which ATT Sports had installed.  (“It looks great!”)

Martin believed it was a smart move for Christie not to run for president. “He has a lot more to do here in New Jersey and he’s doing a good job,” she said.  “In five years he’s got a shot [at the presidency].  I’d be a little nervous about his health, though.”

Martin admitted that, with Christie not running, she didn’t know who she would vote for.  “I’m at a loss right this minute.  I’m not thrilled with what I’m seeing.  To be honest, I’m scared . . . I’m just praying it will get better.  We’re an extremely intelligent country.  Intelligence will prevail.”

Joe, at the other end of the bar, watched the governor’s announcement on the TV with mixed feelings.

“Well, I’m happy he’s not running.  I shouldn’t say I don’t want Republicans to win.  I don’t want him to win,” said Joe.  “He screwed me.  I’m a union worker.  I work for the town.  They laid off thirty-eight workers at the Essex County vocational school.  Now I have to pay for my own pension and hospitalization.  I’ll [soon] be paying $4,000 for things I used to get for free.”

Joe shook his head in dismay.  “I don’t think Obama’s that good either.  I want the girl from Alaska.  That’s who I want.”