Christie: Buffett should "write a check and shut up"

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R).

Updated: 11:51 a.m. ET

Famously outspoken New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says he's "tired" of making the discourse surrounding tax reform all about Warren Buffett - and that if the billionaire investor wants so badly to pay more taxes, "he should just write a check and shut up."

In a CNN interview on Tuesday, Christie sparred with Piers Morgan over the issue, arguing that, as governor, he's "not going to let the most vulnerable suffer." But the Republican governor added that he also is "not going to get into this class warfare business, where certain people are more important than others or deserve more attention than others."

Warren Buffett has become something of a symbol for the left on the matter of tax reform, due to his urging that the wealthiest Americans - people like himself - should be taxed at a higher rate than the current tax code demands.

Buffett expressed this opinion in an op-ed last year, and the Obama administration quickly seized on it as part of its agenda for overhauling the tax code. The proposed "Buffett Rule," as the White House calls it, would implement a minimum 30 percent tax rate for anyone making more than $1 million per year. Currently, most investment income from capital gains and dividends is typically taxed at a maximum rate of 15 percent. This would increase the tax rates for many wealthy Americans who earn most of their income in investments rather than salaries.

Buffett has often pointed to the tax breakdown among his own staff, noting that his secretary pays a higher overall tax rate than he does.

"I'm so tired of talking about Warren Buffet. What are you going to bring up next, his secretary?" asked Christie on CNN.

"He should just write a check and shut up," Christie said, later on in the interview. "Really, and just contribute, OK? I mean, you know, the fact of the matter is that I'm tired of hearing about it. If he wants to give the government more money, he's got the ability to write a check, go ahead and write it."

Christie said that in New Jersey, he's proposed lowering tax rates for everyone, even the highest earners.

"What we're doing here in New Jersey is everyone will get a 10 percent tax cut. Everyone will get their taxes reduced," he said.

Still, when pressed on whether he thought the top 1 percent of earners deserved equal attention from the government as the most vulnerable Americans, Christie said that "during difficult economic times, you're most concerned about the people who have the potential to suffer the most."

Christie, a Mitt Romney supporter, defended the former Massachusetts governor throughout the interview, lauding him for his intellect and integrity, and expressing faith that he will be well served by his reserved nature in the general election.

"One, I think he's got integrity. Two, I think he is very smart. Three, I think he cares deeply about the issues. Four, I think he has the experience as an executive to actually turn ideas and concepts into reality," Christie said. "All those things are incredibly important. And, lastly, I absolutely do believe that this guy is a conservative and that he will govern in a conservative way for the future of our country."

When asked if he was "feeling" the so-called "Santorum surge," Christie responded: "No, I'm really not."

In a Wednesday interview with ABC News, Christie commented on controversial remarks Santorum made in 2008 that "Satan has his sights set" on America, arguing that, contrary to what the former Pennsylvania senator says now, the comments are relevant to the 2012 race. 

"I think anything you say as a presidential candidate is relevant," Christie said. "It is by definition relevant. You're asking to be president of the United States. I don't think [Santorum is] right about that. I think it is relevant what he says. I think people want to make an evaluation, a complete evaluation of anyone who asks to sit in the Oval Office."

Christie will be on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Feb. 26.

[bennett54]

If there was every a poster boy for the fat, wealthy, Republicans, Christi would be the candidate.
His comments about the 1% not needing to shoulder more of a tax burden is ludicrous. If the other 99% do not soundly defeat the Republicans in the election - it will be very indicative of the fact that America does NOT rank with the other great, civilized, industrialized democratic powers and a clear sign that the voters are not only gullible - but down right stupid !

[lazerpoint]

All these wealthy libtards who call for more taxes need to be asked the same question: Why don't YOU voluntarily write a check to the IRS? This is how you call out a dishonest fake/phony/fraud. Because they are not concerned with the health of the country - they want to help CHANGE it to a two class system.

[JohnSV650]

Including our current president.

[mecury69]

People should not be rewarded for being below a certain wage nor should they be penalized for being above a certain wage. Everyone should pay the same rate rich or poor. If you pay more, it's because made more.

End the current tax breaks that simply give money to people and HOPE they do the right thing and replace them with economic tax breaks go only to companies that hire, expand and/or invest in technologies in the US and/or are in line with our national interests.

[rickr2d2]

Warren Buffet is not the answer to the US economy.

Everyone working and paying taxes is, and not just the top ten percent of the population. If you are not physically or medically incapacitated, you should work for any government benefits. Nobody gets a free ride.

[noloyalisti]

The REAL enemy are the giant corporations and the Top 1% who run them. They have seized the government and the right wingers want to take us back to before the New Deal. The days of the robber barons and no unions, no civil and women's rights.

[wendisue100]

I think you all need to understand something important..PRESIDENT OBAMA isn't all about hand outs...he doesn't want to give every tom dick and harry money they dont deserve. HE KNOWS AND RESPECTS the programs that were put in place for times of trouble..as bad things happen to good people. What we need to work on in this country is the ABUSE OF THE SYSTEM. we need to come up with a plan that ENDS ABUSE...we cannot get rid of these programs all together, or we wont have them to turn to when (god forbid) you suddenly loose your husband at age 40 (like I did) or you didn't have good enough Insurance, was in an accident and felll behind paying for the medical services, AND MORTGAGE and ended up loosing your house..etc..we need to put in place a system of oversight. ie: making anyone getting any kind of help, provide a CLEAN URINE sample (to prove they are not on drugs) and need money to support a habbit, put a cap on it..(enlist a total amount of time one could be on any kind of emergency help)...we need to tweek the system and fix it..not do away with it. Obama didn't create these programs, but he believes in them because he doesn't want to see any of us suffer needlesly. I would rather them be there and be abused, then not to be there at all...HOWEVER, THE ABUSE MUST STOP !!! so what do we do? WRITE WRITE WRITE !! suggest suggest suggest that our lawmakers come up with a good plan to stop the abuse so that it is there for what it was designed for in the first place. Please realize people that Obama isn't the enemy here..not in the least. think about it..? I dont think anyone really is..but it is up to us to decide what is best as a whole...something...or nothing..OR FIX IT. my new moto: "KEEP IT, BUT TWEEK IT"...thanks...

[jimatmadison]

It's hard to believe that this windbag was actually considered possible presidential material at one time.

Admittedly, the GOP field is incredibly weak, but Mr Christie sure wouldn't bring anything of value.

[dman6015]

Maybe the good Governor of New Jersey should shut his own mouth - at the dinner table.

[js2212]

by wendisue100 February 24, 2012 2:15 AM EST
what makes you think this person is a lib? just because they want everyone to pay their fair share? for god sakes man, why dont you? are you one of the 1% ? uh...duh...its only fair that all of us pay what we should...why should a billionaire pay even LESS THAT A MIDDLE INCOME HOUSEHOLD? dont you live in this country?
______________________________________________________________________

Oh, you're another one of those who can't research facts for themselves. The IRS says that top earners pay an effective tax rate of 24% on average. The middle class pays around a 18% effective tax rate. Top earners already pay 70% of all taxes. These figures come directly from the IRS, not some liberal blog or talk show that you happen to see. Your "fair share" sounds pretty greedy to me. How much is fair if 70% isn't? 80%? 90%? Stop looking for others to pay your way and pull you own weight.

[noloyalisti]

As long as Buffett and all the rest of the millionaires and billionaires and I pay the same taxes, I am happy. As are a huge majority of the American people.

They have been gaming the system for far too long.

[wendisue100]

I hope then that you will be voting democratic this year then, so this will happen.

[js2212]

According to the IRS, they already pay a higher effective income tax rate than you do right now. What on earth are you talking about?

And gaming the system is inherent to our current tax code. Tax breaks are placed in the code to steer investment and spending patterns. It has nothing to do with whether the rich are bad or not. If you don't like it, too bad. You cannot blame someone for taking an opportunity if it is offered. If the government offers me a tax break for spending my money on a widget factory as opposed to building boatyard, I'll suspend my plans to build boats and get into the widget business. To do otherwise is just stupid.