New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has embraced his duty as a radio show personality during his monthly "Ask the Governor" segments.
During the program, Christie takes calls on WKXW New Jersey 101.5 from New Jersey citizens about various topics including but not limited to state pension plans, New Jersey teachers, petty fines, and taxes,
The New York Times reported.
In return, New Jersey residents get very casual, unfiltered and blunt responses from the Republican governor, which stands out from the reserved and scripted answers of the typical politician.
Besides policy issues, Christie is also an open book when it comes to his personal life.
He's disclosed the fact that the present he wanted most as a kid but never received was a motorbike, that there are no cats or dogs in his home because his son, Patrick, is allergic to them, that he has the privilege of skipping body scanners at the airport, and what his kids' opinions are of him possibly running for president.
He's also used the platform to hold members of his Cabinet responsible in case he has a question for them that he wants them to respond to via text during the course of the show or if he has an assignment he needs one of them to do, resulting from one of the many callers.
The Times notes that "there may be no better laboratory for studying that unconventional approach than his radio call-in show."
However, the show also reportedly displays a less attractive side of the New Jersey governor, who is sometimes preoccupied "with power, hierarchy and popularity."
Christie was told by host Eric Scott when he became governor that he could follow his predecessor, Jon Corzine, and skip the program, but he has embraced it. Now the program is the most listened-to segment on the radio station, and as many as 50,000 people will try to call in when Christie is on the hot seat.
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