Rand Paul, Chris Christie Feud Heats Up: 'This Is the King of Bacon Talking About Bacon

Both New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) took shots at each other on Tuesday, escalating a war of words that began with Christie labeling the senator's libertarian philosophy on national security "dangerous."

Christie accused Paul of engaging in "pork barrel" spending to win elections in Kentucky while Paul called Christie "the king of bacon," referring to his "gimme gimme" attitude when it comes to federal funds.

(Credit: Erik Schelzig/AP Photo | Mel Evans/AP Photo) Source: ABC News

During a Tuesday press conference, Christie addressed the ongoing feud and claimed he has "nothing personal against Senator Paul."

"If we disagree on certain issues, we disagree. You know, his response seems that he has something personal against me, but that’s okay. He can just get in line on that front," he added.

However, the New Jersey governor then went after Paul for claiming that he has a "gimme gimme" attitude when it comes to federal dollars. He went on to accuse Paul of taking part in "pork barrel spending" in Kentucky.

“I find it interesting that Sen. Paul is accusing us of having a ‘gimme gimme gimme’ attitude towards federal spending when, in fact, New Jersey is a donor state. We get 61 cents back for every dollar sent to Washington," Christie said. "Interestingly, Kentucky gets a $1.51 on every dollar they send to Washington. So if Sen. Paul wants to start looking at where he’s going to cut spending to afford defense, maybe he should start looking at the pork barrel spending he brings home to Kentucky."

Well, that diatribe led Paul to hit back while appearing on CNN's "Situation Room" Tuesday afternoon.

"This is the king of bacon talking about bacon," Paul said about Christie and his own brand of "pork barrel" spending. He also explained that the majority of federal spending in Kentucky goes to military bases in the state.

“What does he want to do, shut down military bases in Kentucky?” he continued. “In order to have enough money for national defense, which I think is a priority for the government, you have to be willing to cut spending in other places, and Governor Christie and others have been part of this ‘gimme gimme gimme’, gimme all this money.’”

Paul later warned Christie that "it's not very smart" to "pick a war with me."

"And it's not a good way to grow the party," he added. "Why would he want to pick a fight with the one guy who has a chance to grow the party by appealing to the youth and appealing to people who would like to see a more moderate and less aggressive foreign policy?"

Watch Paul's response below via CNN:

(H/T: Mediaite)

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