Obama May Visit Point Beach Tuesday, Says Christie

President Obama may visit Point Pleasant Beach on Tuesday, but it's not definite yet if that will be one of his stops at the Jersey Shore, said Gov. Christie in Point Beach early Friday afternoon.

"I don't know yet where he's going," said Christie, on the second level of the Boardwalk Bar and Grill on Friday, in between doing television interviews and greeting Jenkinson's owners and other well-wishers.

"But, yes, this is one of the places that's being looked at," he said. "It's up to the White House where he goes. They tell us where they want to go and we bring them."

"Put in a good word for Point Beach, Governor," said Point Beach Councilman William Mayer, smiling.

"Put in a good word for Point Beach? OK!" replied Christie, matter of factly.

The governor also said it was Obama's idea to visit the Jersey Shore and that the White House contacted the governor's office to inquire about arranging it.

Christie, at the Jenkinson's owned Boardwalk Bar and Grill, briefly shook hands and chatted with Mayor Vincent Barrella, who introduced him to AJ Fox, who is assistant chief of the volunteer Point Pleasant Beach fire department, Councilman Andy Cortes, Vincent and Anthony Storino, principals of Jenkinson's, Ed McGlynn, Jenkinson's attorney and others.

McGlynn said he had heard Obama may visit Point Beach, but Anthony Storino said he had not heard a word about it.

Christie then went downstairs where a moderate-sized gathering was waiting for him in the pouring rain. Some folks asked him to pose for pictures, as he and everyone else got drenched.

Christie then went to Kohr's Custard to shake hands with some of the young people working there (no, the governor did not partake in any frozen confections).

Mary Pat Christie then emerged from an adjacent walkway next to the concession stand, but was barely recognizable as she had a rain poncho drawstring hood pulled down tightly on her face.

A few more quick photos and the soaked governor and his entourage walked briskly to their waiting cars and left a very wet Point Beach.

The governor had visited the home of his brother, Todd Christie, on Beacon Lane, on the south end of town next to Bay Head, just before arriving at the two-story Boardwalk Bar and Grill.

He said he and his wife had stayed on Thursday night at the governor's mansion on Island Beach State Park for the first time since Sandy struck last Oct. 29.

"It was nice," he said, adding the home and the grounds around it had undergone some work since Sandy barreled in.

He said during the interviews that he is visting various towns "down the Shore" this weekend to drum up business for the boardwalks, beaches and other businesses.

He began his morning early in Seaside Heights. Originally, he had been scheduled to visit Bradley Beach after Point Beach. However, the Bradley Beach visit was canceled due to inclement weather, according to an advisory from the governor's office.