Democrats working to redirect at least part of the spotlight away from Christie on his appearances around the country

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Democrats staying close on Christie's heels as he travels
By Ashley Killough, February 7, 2014

Democrats will again be ready and waiting next week to make noise when embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie hits the road for another high-profile trip.

The Democratic National Committee says it will send former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland to hold a news conference in Chicago on Tuesday, the same day Christie will be in the Windy City fundraising as chairman for the Republican Governors Association.

Christie will first attend a lunch event, which is hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago and open to the press, before attending two private fundraisers for the RGA later in the day.

His stop in Chicago is part of a recent travel swing for Christie, who took over as RGA chair in November.

Democrats are eager to make sure the scandal that has roiled Christie's administration and clouded his 2016 presidential prospects follows him around the country as he seeks to help Republican candidates.

A state legislative committee and the Justice Department are investigating whether top Christie appointees orchestrated days of traffic gridlock around the George Washington Bridge last year to punish a local mayor politically for not endorsing the governor for reelection.

Christie went to Florida last month to fundraise for the governor's group and for incumbent Gov. Rick Scott a little more than a week after categorically denying any knowledge of political mischief involving his appointees.

Democrats were also on Christie's tail during a fundraising trip to Dallas on Thursday, when Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa held a news conference.

Christie's recent travel is only the beginning of more road trips for the governor–and likely more 'piggybacking' events by his critics.

The tactic by Democrats is nothing new. Both sides frequently try to redirect at least part of the spotlight on big trips by opponents, especially during political campaigns.

In addition to Chicago, Christie is slated to address the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce at an event in Washington next week. He'll speak at the National Republican Senatorial Committee retreat in New York City on February 18, and he'll be back in the nation's capital for the National Governors Association meeting later that week.

Next month, he'll again be in D.C. to address the Conservative Political Action Committee conference, known as CPAC, just days before he travels to Sea Island, Georgia, for an event hosted by the American Enterprise Institute.
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