newjerseynewsroom.com

BY TOM HESTER

NEW JERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Let's review.

It's an unwritten mob rule that you don't kill cops or reporters.

It's apparently an unwritten political rule that you don't criticize an opponent's campaign staff.

Oh, and you don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, and you don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger, and – in the long run – you don't poke fun at the press if you need its help in getting elected governor.

That's what Republican Chris Christie's campaign did Thursday when it launched three web ads that parody newscasts in an effort to counter what it sees as negative news stories over the past two week about the former New Jersey U.s. Attorney's ethics that have kept the candidate on the defensive.

"This morning, Chris Christie stopped for a bottle of water at his local convenience store,'' the anchor states. "At the cash register, Christie nabbed a penny from the penny tray to cover his $1.36 tab, but did not put a penny back. The Corzine campaign bought their 16th ad space on PolitickerNJ.com to launch a new attack ad asking, "If he'll take your change, what else of yours is really safe?''

In the second ad, the anchor reports, "According to high-level sources within the Christie campaign, Chris borrowed 50 cents from a schoolmate in 3rd grade and has yet to return the money. Christie announced he will repay the debt plus $13.68 in accumulated interest.''

In the third ad, the anchor states, "Today, it was revealed that Chris Christie was seen removing the tags from the mattresses in his home. A team of investigators searched the Christie residence for the missing tags, but no evidence was found. The New Jersey Democratic State Committee has begun a countdown clock logging the days until the tags are found.''

The ads conclude with, "Stay tuned for additional Breaking News Alerts, either straight from the source or from the latest absurd Corzine campaign attack.''

Just when the Christie campaign thought it had put the issue of him providing a $46,000 loan to a subordinate while U.S. attorney to rest with the lawyer's resignation on Tuesday, it was revealed Wednesday that Lambertville police stopped Christie in 2005 when he was U.S. attorney for speeding and found he was driving an unregistered and uninsured car. Christie was accompanied by his wife, their children and a family friend. Police allowed him to drive away when other motorist would have risked having their cars towed away for the same offense.

"They may think it's funny, but a federal prosecutor using their power to pressure local law enforcement into giving them preferential treatment is no laughing matter,'' said Elizabeth Smith, a Corzine campaign spokeswoman. "In fact, several public officials in New Jersey have been forced to resign over the very same thing. At the end of the day, it is more and more evident that Christie has always had one set of rules for himself and another for everyone else.''

Later Thursday, the Christie campaign got serious as it released its latest television ad in which people criticize Corzine on taxes, unemployment, and spending.

Bill Stepien, Christie's campaign manager, said, "Jon Corzine's slanderous and half-truth ads are as tired and desperate as his failed record. The governor assumes that if he spends enough of his Wall Street millions on negative ads that the people of New Jersey will simply forget about his failed leadership and broken promises – but we know better. New Jerseyans expect and deserve a debate of the issues that affect their lives and our state. Chris Christie's commitment to talking about the critical issues facing New Jerseyans is not only appropriate given the economic difficulties we're facing, but highlights his commitment to truly change Trenton from the outside in."