In his press briefing this afternoon at the War Memorial, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy disparaged in strong terms comments made by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to the effect that it wouldn’t be a bad thing for some states to go bankrupt.

“Really? said an obviously angry and irritated Murphy. “It’s a good thing to say states should go bankrupt?

“I would say two things,” he added. “Come on, man. That is completely and utterly irresponsible and I don’t care what party you’re in. Secondly, as usual, he’s dead wrong. We won’t go bankrupt. You have my word we will go bankrupt.”

But, he added, “We’ll cut. We will leave people on the beach alone, helpless. And that will happen in Kentucky. This is no time for bankruptcies. This is the time to stand up on a bipartisan basis to be there for the American people.”

From Fox News:

McConnell made the comments on “The Hugh Hewitt Show” against the backdrop of governors imploring the federal government for urgent fiscal help and congressional Democrats seeking to work with the Trump administration to provide it. McConnell, instead, said he “would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route,” an option that is not currently available to them — as he called for a “pause” in such aid from Washington.

“I mean, we all represent states. We all have governors regardless of party who would love to have free money,” McConnell said in response to a question on what the federal government should do to help states in tricky financial situations. “And that’s why I said yesterday we’re going to push the pause button here, because I think this whole business of additional assistance for state and local governments need[s] to be thoroughly evaluated.”

In Trenton this afternoon, reporter asked Murphy to clarify if he believes McConnell’s comments are un-American.

“I don’t think I called him un-American,” he said.

“I’m not sure I’d take it back if I did,” the governor added. “Most folks have said responsible things and have left their partisanship at the door.”

Would he work McConnell?

Yes, said Murphy.

“What would that look like?” he said. “Five-hundred billion dollars direct assistance to the states.”

Fair Share for New Jersey.

“I will work with anyone to get that passed and signed by the president,” the governor said.