New Jersey Gov. CHRIS CHRISTIE "accepted a plane ride to Dallas and a seat" in a luxury suite at AT&T Stadium for Sunday's Cowboys-Lions Wild Card game from Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES, who "has a relationship with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey," according to Dawsey, Tangel & Mann of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Christie's aides said that the gifts from Jones "were acceptable under state policy, which allows the governor to take gifts from 'relatives or personal friends that are paid for with personal funds.'" The trip marks "the latest in a series of excursions with high-profile sports and entertainment figures" for Christie. He has "roamed the sidelines" of a Notre Dame football game and "stayed overnight at the Hamptons mansion" of JON BON JOVI. A spokesperson for Jones said that 30-40 people attend Cowboys games in his suite each week, "from athletes to entertainers to public officials." The spokesperson added that he "couldn't say how much sitting in the box was worth" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/6).
JERSEY SCORED? Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart took issue with Christie sitting in Jones' box for the game, saying, “I assume the phrase ‘back in the Cowboys’ owner box’ is some sort slang for snorting crystal meth and horse (EXPLETIVE) out of cowboy hats. Because that would be much more preferable than sitting next to Jerry Jones.” Stewart: “You lead a state, Christie, that’s half Giants fans, half Eagles fans. And you’re groping the owner of the Dallas (EXPLETIVE) Cowboys? Why don't you just break a copy of ‘Born To Run’ over the head of a Hurricane Sandy victim, you backstabbing piece of (EXPLETIVE). Not only do we not want to see you hugging Jerry Jones, I don't think Jerry Jones wants to see you hugging Jerry Jones” (“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central, 1/5).
