Can Chris Christie Win The 2016 GOP Nomination...

Rational Nation USA
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Say what you will about New Jersey Governor Christie but he has been steadily impressive in the GOP debates. Not great, but impressive. He is articulate, informed, connects with the viewing audience by speaking directly to therm, and arguably has been an effective republican governor in a state whose legislative branch is controlled by democrats. Christie, just like republican governors of Massachusetts who have had to work with a democratic legislative body, has shown the ability to run a state with divided government and yet get things accomplished.

Whether or not Governor Christie can get the traction necessary to mount an effective campaign overturning Trump, Cruz, or Rubio is a long shot. Some, like Edward Morrissey, believe it in the realm of possibility. In any case, if your preference is for a republican that views pragmatism and the ability to work effectively with the opposition party it might be worth your time to consider him. If nothing else he isn't Trump, or Cruz. Candidates who very likely will be easily beaten by Hillary Clinton.

The Fiscal Times... Staring directly into the camera, the governor from New Jersey said, “If your eyes are glazing over like mine, this is what it’s like to be on the floor of the United States Senate. I mean endless debates about how many angels on the head of a pin, from people who’ve never had to make a consequential decision in an executive position.”

Christie then reminded viewers, not for the first nor for the last time that the legislators on stage did not have to assume personal responsibility for securing the safety of constituents. “They continue to debate about this bill and in the subcommittee,” Christie argued, and “nobody in America cares about that. What they care about is are we going to have a president who actually knows what they're doing to make these decisions?”

SKIP

This moment captured the essence of the debate perfectly, however. A new Washington Post/ABC poll shows confidence ebbing in the Barack Obama administration to protect the nation from terrorist attack. A majority of 56 percent now says they have less confidence in the government stopping a large-scale terrorist attack – and 77 percent worry more now that the US is not ready to stop “a lone-wolf attack.” This atmosphere of frustration and disillusion prompted the national-security focus of the debate.

Christie leveraged the opportunity into a platform that highlights his executive experience, specifically on terrorism. Christie reminded viewers that his administration “stopped Fort Dix from being attacked by six American radicalized Muslims from a Mosque in New Jersey because we worked with the Muslim American community to get intelligence…. This is the difference between actually been a federal prosecutor, actually doing something, and not just spending your life as one of hundred debating it.”

So Christie seized the moment. Can he run with it? That question becomes complicated by his current lack of traction in national polling, but his single-state strategy may pay off.

At one point, Christie had been a favorite of conservatives for his blunt, no-apologies style and aggressive approach to reform in New Jersey. He lost favor by figuratively embracing a more moderate approach on gun rights, and by literally embracing Barack Obama the week before the 2012 election during Hurricane Sandy. Christie has emphasized a more pragmatic approach to governance – a necessity for a governor whose legislature is controlled by the opposing party – that rankles an anti-establishment electorate already inclined to reject current party leadership.

Yet Christie’s strategy over the past few months has focused on New Hampshire almost exclusively. While he polls within the margins of error nationally, Christie now challenges for second place in the Granite State and their first-in-the-nation primary, thanks to considerable time and organizational effort spent in the state. Even without the raised stakes in national security, Christie’s pragmatic approach to governance will appeal to New Hampshire voters.

Pragmatism was a continuing theme among voters I interviewed for my upcoming book on the 2016 general election...

Continue reading BELOW THE FOLD.

Via: Memeorandum

Comments

  1. What Chris Christie and Bobby Jindal have in common: Elected twice but now the most reviled politicians of their respective states. The Bridgegate scandal is merely the tip of the iceberg. He bankrupted the state lottery system by privatizing it and awarding a contract to a gang of political cronies; turned the state budget into a crisis; vetoed an assault weapon ban; and vetoed a gay marriage bill that was passed by overwhelming majorities in the NJ state legislature. Christie is a climate change denier cut from the same cloth as Sen. Inhofe (Christie even criticized Pope Francis). Christie is reactionary and wrong on every issue:

    Christie’s debate performance was just as blustery and error prone as the rest of field — he mistakenly named King Hussein (who died more than a decade ago and was succeeded by his son, King Abdullah) as the current leader of Jordan. Christie’s prescription for a no-fly zone over Syria would put us in direct conflict with Putin - another bully on the world stage.

    Speaking of bullies, they do not respect human rights and make terrible leaders.

    ReplyDelete
  2. See, thar's the thing about politicians, they're accomplished actors; every damn one of them.

    The King Hussein gaffe is probably on the same level as the 57 state gaffe from another politician.

    Can anyone really trust any politician totally? I rather think not in this disband age and point in our nation's evolution.

    Influence, money, control, power lust; all the things that motivate politicians. Winning, whatever the cost may be, has become the norm. Hence honesty and forthright discussion now takes a back seat to personal and party ambitions.

    A gullible public, fed by biased media and political "experts", aided by amateur and unprofessional bloggers, as well talk radio are responsible for much of our present political realities.

    Today one must fact check damn near everything coming out of a politicians mouth, regardless of which party they belong to. Who the hell has time to do that? Retired folks with a lot of time on their hands? By the time people retire most have been so indoctrinated in one or the other that they're as often as not on auto pilot.

    So, the beat goes on, many grow skeptical and then cynical wishing for

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. an honest politician and a principled party to surface. It's likely not going to happen.

      So, we're stuck with the lesser of two evils. Choosing which evil to embrace is what we have.

      Perhaps it's all we've ever had.

      Delete
  3. I am starting to think humanoids are more like chimpanzees than they care to admit.
    They seek leaders more brawny than brainy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Perhaps that is so (O)CT(O)PUS. However sometimes, specifically in the face of unprovoked aggression by alien forces, a strong and brawny leader is required. One will balls of steel and the will to defeat unprovoked, immortal aggression by the unethical and tyrannical force.

    Unfortunately some confuse responding to unprovoked aggression with intervention, the goal of such intervention being to spread their influence and view of right across the globe; and always in their own interests and lust for power,

    Apes indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't know who will win the nomination, but it won't be Christie. Right now it looks like it's going to be Trump.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Trump is likely. However, Cruz is a strong possibility should he have strong showings in the early primaries and caucuses. He is as dangerous, or more so than Trump.

    ReplyDelete

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