President Obama gets a teddy bear from Chris Christie as they survey recovery from Sandy
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie won and gave President Barack Obama a prize Tuesday during a game on the boardwalk: a teddy bear.
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Described as a “sweet gesture” by CNN, the gesture just fuels Christie’s political critics of his close relationship with the President.
Obama went 0-for-5 on the Point Pleasant boardwalk “Touchdown Fever” football toss before the Governor stepped in and delivered the victory.
“One and done,” the governor exclaimed.
Obama gave Christie a high-five and quipped: “That’s because he’s running for office.”
The man behind the counter handed Obama a stuffed teddy bear with a Chicago themed shirt.
“As much as I’m a Giants fan, I didn’t feel it was appropriate to give him a Giants [bear], so we gave him a Chicago Bears one,” said Mark Malland, 47, who runs the game.
“We know how much he loves his Chicago Bears.”
The pair was surveying the recovery efforts after Superstorm Sandy devastated the New Jersey shoreline last year, just prior to the 2012 election.
Despite being the odds-on favorite in November, Christie isn’t taking any chances. He stars along with his family in a $25 million state-funded campaign to highlight the revitalized Jersey Shore before the summer tourist season.
