Anyone else notice Christie referring to David Sampson as "General Samson"?

[Jersey Devil]

Was watching Rachel last night and she played a few clips of Christie talking about David Samson, the general manager of the Port Authority and former NJ Attorney General in which Christie repeatedly referred to him as "General Samson".

Now this may be a petty matter, but why in the world would he refer to Samson as "General" unless he was trying to prop up his credibility. No one would ever refer to a former (or sitting) attorney general as "general" and I have never heard anyone refer to a general manager that way either. Samson certainly is not a retired military general, so what gives?

Was Christie trying to make him sound more believable by giving him a title that usually implies respect?

[GeorgeGist]

1. Probably Christie is just stupid.

[Jersey Devil]

3. Actually, since Christie is a lawyer he should know better

No lawyer would ever refer to someone who was a former AG as "general" nor is the Port Authority anything resembling a military organization.

I think the problem with a lot of these egomaniacs is that they think everyone else is stupid and they can get away with just about anything, from the use of fake titles to gain respect to thinking that no one would ever be able to touch their personal emails. More than stupidity I think it is excessive pride.

[unc70]

2. A little background

Last edited Thu Jan 16, 2014, 01:45 PM - Edit history (1)

Apparently this is done in some of the Federal district courts which could explain where Christie got it. The practice is in error as explained here:

http://www.formsofaddress.info/attorney_general.html

[Jersey Devil]

4. Not in NJ

Sure, "Mr Attorney General" but never "general". I've been a NJ lawyer for over 40 years and have never ever heard an AG called "general" by anyone in any context. Christie is a NJ lawyer as well and knows better.

On edit: The article you cited points out that the term "general" is used by those unfamiliar with the terminology, certainly not experienced attorneys like Christie.

[DURHAM D]

5. Agree. I am not an attorney but

I have personally known 3 state attorney generals and I have never once heard anyone refer to them as a general. It seems an obvious attempt by Christie to elevate his status but it just came off as stupid.

[unc70]

6. Noted it was in error

I noted that the use of "General" was rare and in error. The Library of Congress researcher said that it was used in oral arguments in certain courts. Not arguing with you.

BTW How do you address the Surgeon General? Two valid options: Dr. or Admiral.

[libdem4life]

7. Once he said "Mr. Samson" and corrected himself to "General" Samson. Tacky.

But then that was before "General Samson" got his subpoena.

[Raven]

8. My uncle was an Assistant AG in Massachusetts

years ago and he an all the other assistant AGs always referred to the AG as "my General" or "the General." I alsways thought it was a little strange.

[davidpdx]

9. It is

But then again, the guy was his boss. What could have he done?