Christie partly blames Obama for national anxiety

NEWARK (AP) -- Asked about the violent protests in Ferguson, Missouri, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says that people across the country are deeply anxious because of a lack of leadership and that President Barack Obama is at least partly to blame.

Christie made the remarks as he talked to reporters about the aftermath of the grand jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

The potential presidential candidate calls the situation in Ferguson "tragic" and says people have a right to protest but that they should be nonviolent.

Asked if he is blaming Obama for the anxiety that he says comes from a lack of leadership, Christie responds that lots of people have responsibility for that, not just Obama.

(© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed)