New Jersey Governor Chris Christie made his first public appearance this morning since he suggested last week that reporters "take the bat out" against a state senator. Christie on Friday told assembled press that they should go after Sen. Loretta Weinberg for drawing down a pension while also collecting a state salary. Weinberg is a 76-year-old widow who had lost much of her savings in the Bernie Madoff scandal.

At today's event, the governor's 12th "town hall" of the year, no one in the audience asked about the comment. These type of events have at times presented as minefields for Christie, whose sometimes testy responses to questions can turn into YouTube fiascos.

Christie's Town hall took place at a retirement home in Ocean County, a solidly Republican enclave. In response to the Weinberg comments, Christie's spokesman says reporters know the governor was chiding them for their light treatment of the state legislator.