WHAT: Widely praised for his get-tough approach to state spending, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is now under heavy criticism for using a state helicopter to fly him and his wife to his oldest son’s high school baseball game.

HOW: The Christies stepped off the helicopter into a nearby car that drove them 100 yards to the baseball field. Surrounded by state police, they watched the game until the fifth inning. Play was halted while the helicopter took off.

WHY: Christie’s spokesman said the helicopter is taken only when Christie’s schedule demands, and nothing is inappropriate or illegal about it. The pilots also need flight practice so ferrying Christie didn’t cost taxpayers anything extra.