TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he confronted a Chicago Cubs fan during Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers because the man said “some really lousy, awful stuff” with a lot of children around.
That fan, Brad Joseph, has apologized on Facebook.
The Republican governor was caught on video nearly getting in the man's face at Miller Park.
“You're a big shot,” Christie says before walking down the stairs.
Christie told CNN's Jake Tapper Monday night that he ignored the man's comments the first time, but when the man yelled at him again he says he felt like he had to say something.
Citing comments the Cubs fan made to a Milwaukee TV reporter, the Chicago Tribune reports the fan told Christie “that he sucked.”
Christie says public officials are “not meant to be public punching bags.”
Joseph shared a nuanced apology, sharing his regret for words he spoke directly to Christie despite his disagreements with his politics.
“I'm not proud of my behavior today and I regret shouting 'you suck!' at Christie. So Chris, if you're reading this, I'm sorry. I didn't have much time to think of anything to say, and I wanted to express my displeasure with you. I could have done better than 'you suck,' ” Joseph expressed.
“What I do not regret is calling Chris Christie a hypocrite. This is a man who made a career out of demonizing public corruption only to become exactly what he denounced.”
See Joseph's apology below.
