The Governor Goes to Washington
Bill McGurn ·
Feb 16, 2011 at 2:35pm
My governor, Chris Christie, was in Washington today, where he delivered this speech at AEI. As a resident of the People's Republic of New Jersey, I'd rather not give him to the country just yet -- and he still says he ain't running. Did anyone else catch this speech?
Amazing to me that in scarcely a year Gov. Christie has gone from a fight in NJ to a national symbol of the fight against governments that spend beyond their -- make that our -- means.
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Jun '10
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
I love Christie, but hope he waits.
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
Sounds like a fellow NJ taxpayer.
Jun '10
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
Actually, I'm from Utah, but I love NJ taxpayers and also think Christie needs to show that he can take a mess and solve it: he's made a great start, but he'll have far more whack when he completes the job.
Besides, if he becomes president, his handlers would force him to tone down his one-liners and they are, bar none, the most entertaining in politics. The guy could do stand up.
Edited on Feb 16, 2011 at 3:07pmJan '11
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
Christie basically says that he's doing the things that everyone knows needs to be done. We all know that the entitlements are on a collision course with bankruptcy. Christie's theory is that the professional political class is too cowardly to face the truth, and would prefer to win elections than to govern. The political class believes that the people don't want to hear the truth.
Let's not kid each other. The political class may be right. It may very well be that the public wants to see roses, but don't want to smell any manure. Maybe. But it's worth taking a chance that the public isn't so blinkered.
I like Christie, but I'm not sure any of them matter. In the end, it really is about the public. If the public really wants honesty, sooner or later, we're going to have to put up a truth-teller. If we aren't ready to do that, the candidate doesn't matter.
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
The harder Christie pushes in New Jersey, the blunter he is, the harder it will be for Republican governors elsewhere and Republican Congressmen and Senators to cave in and return to their former status as tax collectors for the welfare state -- which is what Obama and the Democrats have in mind.
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
Brilliant point! I think Christie is establishing a new standard -- call it the Christie Standard. "If he can do it in New Jersey of all places, why can't we do it in [fill in the state.]"
But Bill, honestly, are you saying you don't activate salivate over the prospect of the Obama-Christie presidential debates? The thought of those events short-circuits the pleasure-experiencing center of my brain for hours, like Homer Simpson when he thinks of doughnuts.
Oct '10
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
Rob Long
Brilliant point! I think Christie is establishing a new standard -- call it the Christie Standard. "If he can do it in New Jersey of all places, why can't we do it in [fill in the state.]"
But Bill, honestly, are you saying you don't activate salivate over the prospect of the Obama-Christie presidential debates? The thought of those events short-circuits the pleasure-experiencing center of my brain for hours, like Homer Simpson when he thinks of doughnuts. · Feb 16 at 5:18pm
As much as I would like the Christie-Obama debate, I've been daydreaming about a Obama-West showdown.
I think that Christie kind of showed his hand. He said he is not going to run and he has a duty to the voters of NJ and an obligation as governor to see it through. I like the idea of "If NJ can do it..." and a presidential bid distracts that. There is still time for Christie; let the heavyweight get the KO, keep him focused on the fight in the ring rather than the fans in the stands because we don't want this to unnecessarily go to a judges' decision.
Jan '11
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
Rob Long
Brilliant point! I think Christie is establishing a new standard -- call it the Christie Standard. "If he can do it in New Jersey of all places, why can't we do it in [fill in the state.]"
But Bill, honestly, are you saying you don't activate salivate over the prospect of the Obama-Christie presidential debates? The thought of those events short-circuits the pleasure-experiencing center of my brain for hours, like Homer Simpson when he thinks of doughnuts. · Feb 16 at 5:18pm
As a displaced guy from New Jersey, I have never been more proud of my home state than when I see Christie. He has set the standard which I will use to judge anyone who wants the Republican nomination.
Just the thought of an Obama-Christie debate brings a smile to my face.
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
Further to Paul's point, Christie is also forcing Gov. Cuomo's hand in NY.
Further to Rob's point, Rob, why is it that when we people in a state that has long been the punch line for your industry (Hollywood) get a governor we can be proud of, you want to steal him away from us?
As for the future, the governor's daughter goes to the same school as my daughter, so I've seen him at a few events. He's pretty much the same in person. I believe him when he says he's not running. He's just not the type to play games.
Dec '10
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
I'd even pay good money to see one. Sadly, that dream match will probably never happen. Christie is adamant about not running in 2012. I think only an aggressive draft movement, with his NJ constituents cheering him on, could persuade him.
But, maybe he can find some free time in 2012 to actively campaign against Obama in support of the GOP.
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
Bill and Paul make an excellent point: Chris Christie's proving to his fellow Republicans that it can be done.
According to the latest polling I could find, Gov. Christie's approval rating in New Jersey stands at 52 percent, just two points behind President Obama's rating in New Jersey of 54 percent--and this in a state in which registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by roughly 34 percent to 20 percent.
Dec '10
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
Peter Robinson:
According to the latest polling I could find, Gov. Christie's approval rating in New Jersey stands at 52 percent, just two points behind President Obama's rating in New Jersey of 54 percent--and this in a state in which registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by roughly 34 percent to 20 percent.
Christie at 52%, doing the things Obama must fiercely oppose, in a state where Obama is at 54% -- can that continue? The Dems must be like circling like vultures hoping he makes a major mistake. 52% is good, but close to 60% would be much better.
If he can get above 55% maybe Christie can put NJ in play in 2012.
Jun '10
Re: The Governor Goes to Washington
"Just the thought of an Obama-Christie debate brings a smile to my face."
Doesn't it?
But everyone's points about finishing the job & setting the standard for how Republicans can govern are important. If his example is followed, and state by state we see radical turnarounds in fiscal control, he will be an even bigger star with a bolder resume. Glowing reports of how he led the way, delivered by governors who tackled big problems with his methods, will greatly strengthen his candidacy. (Still have to see what's up with his understanding of the threat from Islamism, of course.)
I still continue to be amazed that he's the first NJ politician in my lifetime who has kept his word. And he absolutley is having an impact on Cuomo in NY. We need him here in NJ -- no state is more corrupt or more bogged down in tax burdens and union control.