Gov. Christie’s beach trip sends a clear message

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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has been getting flak after he was photographed with his family on a beach that was closed to the public over Fourth of July weekend because of a government shutdown.

If the public beach was closed, it should have been closed to everyone, including Christie.

Christie’s residence is the governor’s quarters, but the beach is public. As the governor, Christie should be held to a higher standard and be a leader for the citizens of New Jersey. By being on the closed beach, Christie sent the message that he’s able to break the law with no questions asked. Lisa Parker

Clueless, just clueless. The governor’s residence is beachfront. More manipulated messages from the news media. The Democratic-led House of Representatives was what was holding up the state budget negotiations. Joseph Schwindt

What an incredibly stupid, thoughtless and selfish and suicidal comment of Christie to say people can’t join him on the beach because “they’re not the governor.” You’re talking about hundreds of thousands of people, over a holiday weekend, who can’t use a public resource. What a jerk.

Hope Christie enjoys the remainder of his last term in office. Michael Shea

The fact that a governor has exclusive use of a governor’s residence is to be considered thoughtless and selfish? Mike Herman

To be the lowest-rated of all state governors is not a chance event. You have to work at it. Excellent beach play, Christie! No other governor will knock you out of your slot. Wayne Leslie

It’s pretty simple. The governor has a residence there, and the public does not. If you had a house there, you would also be allowed there. David Groner

He won’t be governor much longer, especially with that attitude. Christie’s just a lame-duck governor who doesn’t want to be bothered anymore. Joseph Pintar