Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
NEW JERSEY GOV. CHRISTIE EARNS STANDING "O" FROM LAWRENCE O'DONNELL FOR HIS PRINCIPLED STAND ON MUSLIM JUDGE
Lawrence O'Donnell was so bowled over by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's staunch defense of a Muslim-American judge that he gave the Republican what he said was his show's first standing ovation.
Christie drew widespread attention for calling critics of Sohail Mohammed, a lawyer who he appointed to a judgeship in New Jersey, "crazy" and "ignorant" and saying he was tired of hearing "crap" about Sharia law spreading in the United States.
THE LAST WORD, August 4, 2011--On his Thursday show, O'Donnell played extended clips of Christie's exchange with a reporter, and professed himself to be repeatedly flabbergasted that someone so often mentioned as a potential GOP presidential candidate would be so "reasonable" about Muslims.
He said he could not believe that Christie would dare to get on the wrong side of anti-Muslim Republican primary voters. After the clip ended, he said it was worthy of the show's "first standing ovation," and he and his staff actually closed out the show by gathering together and applauding Christie.
Christie drew widespread attention for calling critics of Sohail Mohammed, a lawyer who he appointed to a judgeship in New Jersey, "crazy" and "ignorant" and saying he was tired of hearing "crap" about Sharia law spreading in the United States.
THE LAST WORD, August 4, 2011--On his Thursday show, O'Donnell played extended clips of Christie's exchange with a reporter, and professed himself to be repeatedly flabbergasted that someone so often mentioned as a potential GOP presidential candidate would be so "reasonable" about Muslims.
He said he could not believe that Christie would dare to get on the wrong side of anti-Muslim Republican primary voters. After the clip ended, he said it was worthy of the show's "first standing ovation," and he and his staff actually closed out the show by gathering together and applauding Christie.
There are plenty of reasons not to like or even admire Gov. Christie. I am not from New Jersey--but if I was I would not vote for him.
But...here he used his tough talk for good. He stood up for the principle of tolerance. Good for him.