Christie the Consensus Candidate
Burned by the Dole, Dubya and McCain experience, conservatives (self among them) are feeling fed up. No more RINOs. Enough with the establishment already.
Notwithstanding Haley Barbour's recent remark on a Ricochet podcast that Obama is the greatest uniter of Republicans in modern history, the party is, in fact, deeply and problematically divided. We share the passionate conviction that Obama must be defeated. But we have very different, even opposing, ideas of who should stand against him in the general. Even worse, we are contemptuous of each other's preferred choices.
Establishment types look at the Tea Party favorites with fear and loathing, seeing them as too blunt, too raw, too unsophisticated to win the office, or to govern capably if by some fluke they did. Tea Party types, on the other hand, see the establishment favorites as more of the same---just the kind of professional politician who got us into the mess we're in. They are looking for a principled outsider.
This deep divide among Republicans could do us in. Hence, the challenge, as I see it, isn't so much to win over moderates as to unify the base. It's essential, therefore, that we find a consensus candidate--someone who can win the confidence of both factions of our party.
Part of that, surely, involves resisting the habit of contempt we may feel for the faction not-our-own, and acknowledging that they have a valid and necessary perspective to offer.
Conservatives who are dismissive of the establishment ought to try to realize that it's not for nothing those types got where they are. For the most part, they're thoughtful and experienced professionals. They know by long observation the importance of preparedness and finesse for success in Washington. They know how damaging the problem of naiveté and amateurism can be. No doubt hey've seen it up close countless times.
Establishment types have to stop thinking of the Tea Partiers as know-nothing rubes and fanatical zealots (I'm talking to you, Mike Murphy). They have their own true perspective to offer, and they are justly indignant about the failed policies and timid tinkerings of the establishment class, not to mention the decades-long erosion of moral values that has done so much harm. Also, living lives outside the beltway, they tend to be more in touch with fundamentals. They're not constantly dogged by lobbyists and pollsters or bogged down in policy minutiae. To put in Newman's terms, politicos tend to be centered on the notional, while "normal people" are rooted in the real.
Another part of coming to consensus will involve accepting the fact that the candidates who most perfectly line up with our own point of view are candidates who repel a large portion of the Republican Party. This is as true of Mitt Romney as it is of Bachmann and Perry. That means, if we want to win, more than likely we're all going to have to give somewhere.
We have to find someone who is conservative enough to win the confidence of the Tea Party and practiced enough to win the confidence of the establishment.
His appearance at the Reagan Library this week convinced me that Chris Christie's our man.
He's by no manner of means a career politician or a beltway insider. His blunt language and frank manners are a gust of fresh air sweeping away back room stench. Yet, the fact that he was elected to the governorship in deep blue New Jersey impresses the pros. No one's afraid that he'll have no idea what he's doing once he's in office. They've watched him work effectively--with Democrats and against the powerful unions.
He's taken positions that are anathema to conservatives, and yet, he's moved a leftist state decisively in a rightward direction, unlike, say, Christie Todd Wittman, who rather seemed intent on moving the Republican Party in a leftward direction. And who among us doesn't love the fact that to see him approach a microphone is to be filled with anticipation rather than dread? Who doesn't thoroughly relish the thought of Christie vs. Obama debates?
Christie is an unapologetically religious man, but not the kind that scares secularists. He's a family man too, with no messy personal baggage. Religious without religiosity; moral without moralism.
Some call him squishy on pro-life issues, because he allows for exceptions in the case of rape and incest. But contrast his record with Romney's. Running for governor in liberal Massachusetts, Romney presented himself as committedly "pro-choice", then switched positions later, when his ambitions shifted. Christie, on the other hand, running in New Jersey, flatly declared himself "pro-life", even knowing that it might cost him the election. I think no one should doubt that he would advance the cause of life in office.
Finally, for all his celebrated and notorious bluntness, Christie comes across as winningly human. Romney is plastic. Ron Paul is ramrod. Perry and Bachmann parochial. Christie is real and rounded, warm and witty.
Unlike some commentators, I respect his reluctance to get in the race. I agree with him that no one should take up a challenge like the one facing the next Republican President of the US without feeling called to it and ready for it. No one should inflict that on his family without an inward assurance that it's the right thing to do.
I'm just hoping he'll get that call.
- Comment (63)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (4)
Comments :
May '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
Katievs, you make a very thoughtful case for Christie. Thanks.
Dec '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
Each of us has hoped his favorite candidate could be so eloquently presented. One more thing I'll add about Christie: his sense of command. Yes, he can debate, and argue, and cajole, but at 4:30 he says "get the hell off the beach." He seems to understand his authority as a responsibility, not a right.
If he gets in he will get a very serious look from many of us. Your exceptional statement in support has helped in that cause greatly. Thank you.
May '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
The King Prawn:
He seems to understand his authority as a responsibility, not a right.
Excellently well put, and another reason he shouldn't be regarded as just another establishment type.
Edited on Sep 30, 2011 at 10:25pmDec '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
katievs
The King Prawn:
He seems to understand his authority as a responsibility, not a right.
Excellently well put, and other reason he shouldn't be regarded as just another establishment type. · Sep 30 at 8:51am
To expand the concept a little: congress acts frequently because it can. Obama and other presidents have often done the same. It would be refreshing to have a president who exercised his authority only because the circumstances demanded it of him. Many of our "leaders" come off as crusaders in search of a cause on which to bring their powers to bear. The powers of the federal government should be considered much the same as the use of deadly force. They exist only as a last resort when all lesser means have failed or cannot reasonably be employed. Sadly, though, many in power think they're already holding to that standard. I suppose that if all you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail.
Aug '11
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
Katie, you make an excellent apologist for Gov. Christie. I admit to some remaining worries about his conservative bona fides, but I will look a little more closely.
Also, there is one very huge hurdle yet: he still hasn't announced his candidacy.
Jul '11
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
Excellent post. I must admit it can get a bit dispiriting to have potential candidates run down because they're not in absolute agreement with conservatives (as if we were monolithic anyway). Christie's not perfect, everyone can agree on that. But in comparison to the other major (and minor!) candidates, he stacks up pretty well on the issues. Add to that his exceptionally persuasive communication skills and his demonstrated leadership qualities and I have a hard time understanding why there is so much resistance to even considering him. He's a stronger candidate than Romney, Perry or Cain. Even if he doesn't win the nomination, his entering the race will force everyone else to step up their games to compete - no downsides there at all. What petition can we sign to help him decide to stop riding the pine?
Dec '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
OK, Katie. Now I have to go watch the Reagan Library speech. I've been looking for someone to take the fight to the Democrats, a la' Rudy Giuliani, but with a better family life. Christie may be the one (silly language play comes to mind... Obama, The One, or is he The Anti-Christie?!). I especially like that Christie's been on the phone with Paul Ryan. If a man is known by the company he keeps...
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
Beautifully written and reasoned.
Apr '11
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
I want to see Christie enter the race for the debates alone. He has flaws and some 'splainin' to do, but so does everybody who gets in.
Meanwhile, some of the candidates need to call it quits. It seems like a waste of time to listen to someone polling 3% or less over the past two months. I realize that's their call, but it's a large field and the herd needs to be thinned out soon since the primaries/caucuses are going to start in January; thanks to Florida's maverick decision to move their primary to Jan. 31.
Sep '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
You've certainly piqued my interest in Christie. This is one of your better arguments of many: And who among us doesn't love the fact that to see him approach a microphone is to be filled with anticipation rather than dread? Who doesn't thoroughly relish the thought of Christie vs. Obama debates?
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
Eloquent and thoughtful post. I have some misgivings, but you've helped put the larger picture in sharper focus. Thanks. There's no doubt that he would eviscerate Obama in a debate. I'd like to see him debate the other GOP candidates too, if for no other reason to see him clarify and define his positions for himself.
Aug '11
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
One of my biggest reservations about Mitt is his debate performance. When asked a question, he comes off sort of peevish and stumbling, stuttering, sputtering out his responses. Even if he could beat Obama in substance, Obama would still sound better.
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
Katie, you may be right. Whatever Christie is, he is not a phoney, and his intelligence, when confronted by opponents, is evident. The man can make an argument, and he is fearless. We need to know more about him, and I hope that he gives us that opportunity by entering the race.
Oct '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
"And who among us doesn't love the fact that to see him approach a microphone is to be filled with anticipation rather than dread? Who doesn't thoroughly relish the thought of Christie vs. Obama debates?"
YES! It would be the political equivalent of the Wide World of Sports -- "the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat!"
Edited on Sep 30, 2011 at 6:18pmOct '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
As a social conservative from Texas, I have to say...the Reagan Library appearance put me firmly in the Christie camp, if he gets in.
His sheer honesty makes it easier to overlook the areas where I might disagree with him. At least I know where he stands, which is amazingly comforting. I think people from all over the political spectrum will feel the same way.
My wife, who couldn't care less about all things political, stops and listens to Christie speak whenever he's on TV. I even caught her nodding her head "yes" while he was speaking at the Reagan Library. She likes him instinctively, and so do I. It's been a long time since I've felt that way about a Conservative candidate -- even those I agree with on most issues.
Edited on Oct 1, 2011 at 12:04amSep '11
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
katievs:
I have a couple comments about this. First, the other day I followed a thread on Herman Cain in which, I believe, you largely dismissed him for having too little foreign policy experience. At first glance it doesn't seem like Cain could be disqualified on that basis without Christie suffering similarly. Unless I missed it, you'd didn't mention foreign policy at all in this post promoting Christie. I'd be interested in hearing how you see him being that different from Cain in this regard.
Second, I'm a little skeptical about any former US Attorney really understanding the fundamental problems with the intrusive nature of the modern federal government. It's not absolutely disqualifying for me, but before I'd support a former DOJ prosecutor I'd want to see evidence that, among other things, he understood that prosecutions like those endured by Conrad Black, Scooter Libby, and Martha Stewart (to name but a few) are excessive; that the vague, turbid language in many federal statutes is unjust and is abused by prosecutors; and that the principle of mens rea must return to federal law.
Dec '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
This preference for fast talkers discounts the governor who put a clamp on the fastest talkers and biggest swindlers of all—trial lawyers—with tort-reform legislation.
If Christie declares, until he signs into law a similar restraint on this profession infested with parasites—which should be just as easy as his shouting down elementary school teachers, and makes a lot more sense—the better choice is a man who speaks softly but carries a big stick over one whose, admittedly ample, bark is bigger than his bite.
Deeds not words.
Why is it that with the politicians who are fast talkers but who stand for nothing, it is the voters who fall for anything?
Windmills? Or oil wells? That is the question.
Sep '11
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
A very good analysis of our situation! I will certainly give him a second look. If I could get comfortable with his support of Al Gore's climate change,it would make me more receptive. Of course, I would probably vote for Adolph Hitler if he was running against Obama!
Jul '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
Define "Consensus."
Are You talking "consensus" with Republicans?
Or are You talking "consensus" with Americans?
The two are completely different.
Those that consider themselves the "middle" or "independent" today, generally speaking, ain't necessarily to the left of Us, They're just waiting for inspiration.
Oct '10
Re: Christie the Consensus Candidate
I think it's Christie's style that conservatives like about him, not his positions. I don't discount but if he does get in the race there's a good chance he'll disappoint the way Perry disappointed. How will he answer handle scrutiny of his controversial views among conservatives?