The New Praetorian Guard*

Christie Avoids the Media

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is staying away from news reporters as he mulls making a presidential bid.

At an event today, the AP reports "two dozen national and local news reporters were escorted to a roped-off area 50 feet away from the stage where Christie spoke. The usually talkative Christie left the event without talking to the press, who were not allowed to leave until after he was out of sight. National Guard soldiers were instructed to kept media and all attendees cordoned off as Christie exited."

Wall Street Journal: "Guards could be overheard telling each other to make sure the press are blocked from pursuing the governor when he leaves."

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*Oh, maybe not:

The hour-long ceremony took place at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt on the New Jersey shore.

Still has to take a Humvee for those long walks, 'though.

Mr. Christie, wearing a dark suit, baby-blue shirt and red tie, shook hands with a line of about three dozen guardsmen who worked during Hurricane Irene. He rode around in a Humvee inspecting troops, and also presented medals, merits and ribbons to 14 troops. At one point, the guard gave him a 19-shot “gun salute.”