Feisty, combative, colorful, controversial — these words all befit New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
The Republican politician has a way of getting in the news, even if it's simply by showing up at a football game to cheer for his beloved Dallas Cowboys.
And his personality is well demonstrated by his pithy, direct, and sometimes risible utterances.
Here are a dozen of Christie's most notable quotes:
1. "Sit down and shut up." — To a heckler who interrupted his speech about Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.
2. "I can walk and chew gum at the same time." — Referring to his ability to govern the state and deal with a future run for president.
3. "Man up and say I'm fat." — Responding to then-Gov. Jon Corzine's campaign ad that hinted at Christie's weight.
4. "Cry me a river." — On President Obama's difficulty dealing with a Republican House after two years of Democratic control.
5. "You have numbnuts like Reed Gusciora who put out a statement comparing me to George Wallace and Lester Maddox. Now come on guys, at some point you've got to be able to call BS on those kind of press releases." — Referring to a pro-gay marriage state assemblyman.
6. "It's why the American people hate Congress." — Attacking Speaker John Boehner when the House failed to pass a Hurricane Sandy aid package.
7. "What the hell are we paying you for?" — Referring to President Obama acting as a "bystander" in the White House after a committee failed to reach an agreement on debt reduction.
8. "When reporters act like jerks, you need to treat them that way. The guy's a complete idiot, self-consumed, underpaid reporter." — Regarding a New York Daily News sportswriter critical of New York Jets football coach Rex Ryan.
9. "Yeah, you do yours too, buddy." — To a protester who held up a "Do your job!" sign during a Christie speech.
10. "I was in overalls and a hat. I was the guy working the cones." — Dismissing assertions that he was involved in closing approach lanes to the George Washington Bridge.
11. "If I decide to take a nap on Saturday afternoon, do I call Kim and say, 'Okay, you're in charge for 40 minutes'?" — Defending his decision not to transfer power to Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno during his weight-loss surgery.
12. "The rule for effective governance is simple. It is one Ronald Reagan knew by heart. When there is a problem, you fix it." — Referring to Reagan's handling of Social Security and the Cold War.
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