Jon Stewart: ‘Chris Christie Kicked Crazy Ass’ During Sandy

"Daily Show" praises leaders for putting politics aside

Jon Stewart praised New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for putting politics aside to help the people they lead during Hurricane Sandy.

The "Daily Show" host noted that just a week ago, the Republican New Jersey governor denounced President Obama as a leader who "doesn't know how to lead." But during the crisis, Stewart said, Christie "kicked crazy ass" and "to his great credit" worked with Obama.

Stewart also noted that Christie said on "Fox and Friends" that he couldn't care less about whether Mitt Romney would tour the damage in New Jersey.

"If you think right now I give a damn about presidential politics, then you don't know me," Christie said.

New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd has offered another perspective on why Christie is working with Obama. In a story Wednesday, she said some in the White House believe Christie may be trying to prop up the president so that Romney will lose, allowing Christie to run for president himself in 2016.

Maybe. But for now, Stewart and the "Daily Show" crew are offering a rare "Tribute to Institutional Competence." In this case, the show said, it was dispayed not only by first responders, but also by phone companies, public transportation officials and even politicians.

Watch the video:

Comments