Gov. Christie hails Obama, Democratic senators

Catalina Camia, USA TODAY | USATODAY

In the annals of politics, there are Dixiecrats and Reagan Democrats. Add to that list the Christiecrats, or Democratic legislators in New Jersey who work with GOP Gov. Chris Christie.

The governor hailed Democrats from the state Legislature, Congress and the White House on Thursday night for their efforts on behalf of the Garden State in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Christie spoke at the annual New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Dinner held in Washington.

Among the Democrats getting kudos from Christie: U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, "for their leadership" in helping states affected by the deadly storm receive $60 billion in federal aid. The "Christiecrats" singled out by the governor — state Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver — won a round of applause.

President Obama, who signed the Sandy aid legislation into law on Tuesday night, was also a recipient of Christie's appreciation.

"The president stood up for this region when it needed to be stood up for, he put aside partisan politics," Christie said, according to ThePhiladelphia Inquirer. "I want to thank the president. He's been extraordinary."

In a nod to the absence of bipartisanship in the nation's capital, Christie began his remarks with a touch of sarcasm.

"Here I am, Washington, D.C., my kind of town," the governor said.