'Want Me to Go Down There With a Mop?' Chris Christie Says About NJ Flooding Cleanup

— -- Chris Christie took exception to a student who asked the New Jersey governor -- who is campaigning for president -- why he wasn't back in the state helping clean up from flooding associated with the weekend's historic winter storm.

"Do you want me to go down there with a mop?" Christie asked in Hooksett, NH, after being questioned by the student, who has friends in New Jersey.

Severe flooding devastated sections of the Jersey Shore with Cape May experiencing a record storm surge of more than 9 feet.

“It's already done. It’s already done,” Christie said of the cleanup process.

At the end of his response, Christie asked the student to give him the names and numbers of her friends who are concerned about the cleanup process in New Jersey and promised to call them personally tonight.

Christie said that his lieutenant governor was in Cape May County today and that the government is working to assess damage and assist business owners in applying for loans and grants.

"All of the water had receded back, so for your friends and family, who are concerned about why I’m not there, I just wonder what it is they think I’d be doing today,” Christie said.

"You know, I’m the governor, not the chief engineer,” he added.