New Jersey Rules
Last night my wife and I attended a fundraiser at the governor's mansion in New Jersey, Drumthwacket, where the First Lady was honored for her work for children with Down Syndrome. Specifically, the event was held for a private group, Research Down Syndrome. This group focuses on improving the cognitive abilities of people with Down; they have done it with private money; and they are about a year away from clinical trials. The audience was filled with people who have children with Down, and there wasn't a sad sack there: this was about life and hope.
I can't claim to know the Christies, though their daughter is in my daughter's class at a local Catholic high school. But I will say that the more America gets to know this people, the more they will love them. This is a family utterly without pretense -- they don't even live at the governor's mansion -- and awed by the responsibility they have been given. YouTube has made the governor a star over his various confrontations with hecklers. When you see the man up close, you're going to come away even more impressed.
Now all I have to do is make sure the rest of you outside NJ don't draft him for national politics before he's finished cleaning up the mess here!
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Jun '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
Now, if only they'd put Governor Christie in charge of the Jersey Shore reality show (the place where the World goes to learn about New Jersey,) so he could straighten that mess out.
Re: New Jersey Rules
He mentioned the "Jersey Shore," and complained about New Yorkers like Snooki parachuting in and pretending to be New Jerseyans!!!
Re: New Jersey Rules
But Bill, if he straightens out the national mess, wouldn't that include NJ? And wouldn't you relish watching him go to work on SEIU, or any number of national media types?
May '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
The confrontations on YouTube are fun, but I'm getting to enjoy watching his more subtle engagements with questioners more, for the reasons Bill cites: the lack of pretense, his interpersonal skills. He's a smart, likable, real guy who can win over an adversary. Very rare in politics.
Hope he makes quick work of NJ because the country needs him-- if not for president, then for something (EdSec, A.G., budget guy...something).
May '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
We only want to borrow him. We'll give him back, promise.
By the way, I just watched the "Bolton on Bolton" episode of Red Eye, which Rob was on. I'm not entirely sure he was serious, but former ambassador John Bolton said he's considering running in 2012. Like Christie, he's bold and honest. He'd be great for foreign relations, but I don't know his views on other issues. What do y'all think?
Edited on Sep 26, 2010 at 8:45amMay '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
The Stache of Justice is a bridge too far, Aaron (as a squishy, cocktail-swilling RINO, electability is a factor). Christie has a proven record of being both outspoken and widely popular. I suspect the Taft Rule may be waived in 2012, and a fat guy can win.
Where did you watch the coveted Rob Long Red Eye?
Aug '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
I'm very glad to hear you say he is as he appears to be, a National Treasure.
Sep '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
Christie didn't come out of the closet as being so outspoken until after he was elected, and in fact didn't make much of an impression before. I want to know more about him before jumping on the bandwagon.
Don't forget how many people cheered Scott Brown as an incoming hero, just because he could take the seat. That didn't make him the Republican of the year.
Christie seems to be the leader that people want and I love the way he presents himself. Just imagine him speaking on some issue from the Oval Office. But he himself has said he's not the Republican champion, and I think he meant that he might swing both ways on different issues.
Same thing for Bolton and he did say he might run. Is he the real deal of just a one-issue converative that speaks to the heart of the average America? This guy knows what he's talking about on the subjects he's talking about, but what about a full slate of issues?
Both men are worth following.
May '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
Kennedy Smith:
Where did you watch the coveted Rob Long Red Eye? · Sep 26 at 8:58am
Sorry. Here's the link.
What I love about both Christie and Bolton is that they're direct and they realize that compromise is not always good.
Sep '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
Aaron Miller
What I love about both Christie and Bolton is that they're direct and they realize that compromise is not always good. · Sep 26 at 11:27am
I agree. It's about taking a decision, standing firm and believing that you are correct. It's NOT about making everyone happy and being worried about what the polls will say the next day.
People want a leader. Someone who can go through rough times and come out unshaken. Not someone looking to make deals and compromise on their values.
Re: New Jersey Rules
If Gov. and Mrs. Christie stand up under the close scrutiny of Bill McGurn, that's saying something. Very, very good to hear.
Edited on Sep 26, 2010 at 1:41pmRe: New Jersey Rules
I don't know whether to post this comment here or under Emily's discussion of the Sunday morning talk shows, in which she asks our opinion of the GOP's "Pledge to America," but Concerned Canadian makes a point. As a candidate, Chris Christie said very little about what he'd do if elected. Why? Christie knew that the press was on his opponent's side, that there are a lot more registered Democrats than Republicans in New Jersey, and that, if riled, the public employees' unions would spend even more to defeat him, Christie, than they had already budgeted. Instead of opening himself to attack, Christie remained on the attack, devoting his entire, ruthlessly disciplined campaign to the failings of the Democratic incumbent, Jon Corzine. The very absence of a detailed agenda, in other words, demonstrated Christie's seriousness as a candidate.
Just so, in my judgment, the "Pledge to America." It shows the GOP intends to win.
May '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
Peter, that cuts both ways. It's easy to praise Christie for his prudent silence during the campaign now that he's proven himself an admirable governor. But we've witnessed others use such silence to hide less admirable goals and beliefs.
I don't completely disagree with you. I'm surprised that the GOP felt it necessary to make any pledge at all. The "Party of No" seems completely sufficient in most cases.
But vague promises and identification can be used for opportunism as well as prudence.
Sep '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
Hmmm, I don't necessarily see his silence as prudent, but more of a reluctance to commit.
Listen, I love what I see, but I want to see more.
I don't agree with his stance on the GZ Mosque because he doesn't want to 'overreact' to possible terrorist threats. I'm not sure about his approval of the firing of the NJ transit worker slash Koran burner because frankly, he didn't need to get involved.
The fact that Obama 'bowed' to Christie in July combined with being selected by Obama to be on the trade advisory panel just makes wonder about that relationship. What does O know that we don't...?
Do we know anything about his work as a Federal Prosecutor?
Re: New Jersey Rules
ConcernedCanadian: Hmmm, I don't necessarily see his silence as prudent, but more of a reluctance to commit.
Listen, I love what I see, but I want to see more.
As a federal prosecutor, Christie launched the investigations that have put a whole lot of pols and contractors behind bars. During the primary, he did not come across as conservative as his opponent. But he was the one more likely to win.
As a resident of the People's Republic of NJ, I certainly want to see more -- more of the same. We're a long way out of the woods. But I'd also like to see two-term GOP governors of achievement. And so far, it's hard not to be impressed with the fights Gov. Christie is taking on, and his refusal to back down.
Jun '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
Interesting about the wife.
Downs cause is not for the weak at heart and politically there is little payoff, as downs kids make voters uncomfortable. (lets remember Trigs reception). So she is a woman who probably has some fortitude to her belief in life, and what is right and wrong. That is good to know. When he comes home, she is solid.
Contrast that with Arnold, who's wife led him in wrong direction time after time. She constantly gave liberal advice, and he constantly took it.
The more I learn about the family, the more I like.
Sep '10
Re: New Jersey Rules
Any chance of getting Christie on the podcast as part of your governors series? I'd love to hear him answering informal questions. Bet it would be a great discussion.