Even as Gov. Chris Christie was donning his hospital gown, the Twitterverse was astir with gleeful barbs, political quips, and a raft of warm wishes today for the occasionally breathless governor. In an age of instant reaction and limitless online input, Christie’s trip to the hospital after a severe asthma attack lit up sites like Twitter and Facebook throughout...
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Gov. Chris Christie speaks to the media after being released from Somerset Medical Center. The governor was taken to Somerset Medical Center after suffering shortness of breath related to his asthma. Even as Gov. Chris Christie was donning his hospital gown, the Twitterverse was astir with gleeful barbs, political quips, and a raft of warm wishes today for the occasionally breathless governor.
In an age of instant reaction and limitless online input, Christie’s trip to the hospital after a severe asthma attack lit up sites like Twitter and Facebook throughout the day. Reactions ranging from positive to playful to downright mean-spirited poured in from all sides of the political divide.
Conservative media maven Ann Coulter was quick to cast Christie’s hospital trip in presidential terms, tweeting, "I took Christie’s inhaler away until he promised to run in 2012."
Just weeks after calling the governor a "rotten bastard," New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney said today, "Politics goes out the door at a time like this, and I join all of New Jersey in wishing the governor well and hoping for his swift return to the Statehouse."
Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a possible contender for Christie’s seat in two years, tweeted "Yes, no matter what ur politics are, I pray for our Governor’s health."
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State Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), another Democrat eyeing the governor’s office, also tweeted kind words to the ailing governor. On the day she turned 58, Buono received Christie’s only in-hospital tweet of the day when he replied, "Thx 4 your kind thoughts … and BTW, Happy Birthday!"
Jersey political junkies also had plenty to say on the governor’s respiratory difficulties.
Tweeter Keith Jackson quipped, "I bet Gov. Christie would be in better shape and not in the hospital if he didn’t take private helicopter rides."
Christie’s recent slashing of public health care funding drew some tongue-in-cheek tweets.
"@GovChristie Well wishes for speedy recovery … Glad you had healthcare," tweeted Rosemary Bernardi. Posting on Facebook, Montclair resident Jesse Monahan said, "Hmm … I wonder how good his health plan is."
And, of course, there was no shortage of comments about the governor’s weight, which medical experts said could be worsening his asthma.
"They rushed Chris Christie to the hospital today. If I was 340 lbs. I’d have trouble breathing myself," Jeremy Huffman of Morristown, posted on Facebook.
Despite political differences, though, most commenters wished Christie well.
Jersey tweeter Jo Ann Povia said, "@GovChristie While I disagree with your policies & politics, I wish you good health & a speedy return to roiling my liberal blood."
Staff writer Abram Brown contributed to this report.
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