Hurricane Sandy: Atlantic City mayor: Christie was ‘dead wrong’

http://www.politico.com/

The mayor of Atlantic City said Tuesday morning that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was “dead wrong” for suggesting that city residents were not encouraged to evacuate in advance of Hurricane Sandy. Mayor Lorenzo Langford said on the “Today” show that during a “major catastrophe” the governor chose to “play politics” when he singled him out during a Monday evening press briefing. Christie called Langford a “rogue mayor”) and said residents were given a mixed message on whether to evacuate when shelters in the city were opened.“I’m telling you that is absolutely false and the governor needs to be challenged,” Langford said when asked about Christie’s comments. “Where did he get that information? He’s dead wrong.” Langford said most residents heeded his warnings to flee, although some decided to stay. “There will always be those who will not heed that warning and decide to stay,” Langford said. “We had that contingency plan in place.” Langford said the “glass is half full” in his city after the storm and that damage could have been much worse. Also appearing on “Today” on Tuesday, Christie said his anger has turned to sympathy as he focuses on the massive cleanup and rescue efforts afoot in the hard-hit state. “We’re just going to try to save the folks. I feel badly for them that they got mixed messages,” Christie said of Langford. “I had signed an executive order declaring an emergency and ordering the evacuation of Atlantic City, and for some reason the mayor gave a mixed message. But my focus right now is on the people of Atlantic City, and we need to get them out and keep them safe.” The two have quarreled before. Christie said earlier in October that Langford has “failed” and is “impossible to work with.” And though Christie said his focus has shifted from chastising the mayor, all does not yet seem forgiven. “I would love nothing better than that to confront the governor mano y mano,” Langford said Tuesday morning after a “Today” host suggested the two go on air at the same time.