Unforced Error: Chris Christie's helicopter ride to son's baseball game

New Jersey Online: TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie arrived at his son's baseball game this afternoon aboard a State Police helicopter.

Right before the lineup cards were being exchanged on the field, a noise from above distracted the spectators as the 55-foot long helicopter buzzed over trees in left field, circled the outfield and landed in an adjacent football field. Christie disembarked from the helicopter and got into a black car with tinted windows that drove him about a 100 yards to the baseball field.

During the 5th inning, Christie and First Lady Mary Pat Christie got into the car, rode back to the helicopter and left the game. During a pitching change, play was stopped for a couple of minutes while the helicopter took off. [...]

The governor had no public events on his schedule, offering no insight to where he might have been traveling from. He had a private meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Drumthwacket, the governor's mansion, in Princeton. He is meeting with a group of Iowa donors who have publically expressed a desire to persuade him to run for president in 2012.

Christie was ferried to the field in a brand-new AugustaWestland helicopter, purchased at a cost to taxpayers of $12.5 million.

The State Police has received two of the five helicopters purchased so far, according to testimony from Attorney General Paula Dow during a May budget hearing. They were purchased to replace aging Sikorsky helicopters that the State Police have flown for about two decades.

The helicopters, which can reach nearly 200 miles per hour with its twin turbo-shaft engines, are designed for homeland security duties and transporting critically injured patients.

Sorry but this is just straight up elitist behavior and in Christies' case it is the height of hypocrisy too. How can you go around the state telling everyone of dire financial circumstances and the blow big bucks on a helicopter ride for personal reasons?

As governor with state police escort, Christie can travel the full length or width of the state in under 3 hours. There is just no reason to waste money on helicopter rides. To make matters worse, previous governors had gotten into trouble for same wasteful behavior.

New Jersey Democrats are going to use this to give Christie a black eye and the sad part is Christie would have earned it.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: New Jersey Online
Via: Jersey 101.5

Palin shatters the Christie Mystique

During an interview on the Fox Business Network, Sarah Palin exposed a much unnoticed truth about Chris Christie.

The Blaze: With all due respect to Governor Christie, you know he has no choice but to cut budgets because he’s broke, his state is broke. What courage really is, is in the face of having a surplus when you have opportunity to spend spend spend the people’s money, you still choose to reign in government to let the private sector soar. That’s real courage, and by the way that’s what I did as Governor here when I engaged in hiring freezes and reduced earmarks by 86% and vetoed the largest amounts in our state’s history. Despite having a surplus that’s real leadership and that’s courage.

Palin is correct. Chris Christie has earned a reputation for being the biggest baddest Republican in town. However truth be told, he isn't all that and a bag of chips. With an $11 billion shortfall, Christie really didn't have too many options at his disposal. 

Much of Christie's Mystique comes from being the first Republican to stand up to unions. There are other governors who are going much further Christie when it comes to taking on the status quo. Both Scott Walker and John Kasich are tackling the long term problems brought on by collective bargaining. Despite Christies' tough talk about liking to aggressively negotiating with unions, the simply truth is aggressive negotiations are his only option because Democrats control both the Assembly and the Senate in NJ.

Palin is also correct to point out that had Republicans adhered to their principles during the good years, America never would have gotten to the point it is now. For too long Republicans have placed their reelection chances ahead of doing the right thing.

Palin's remarks don't really come out of the blue. Christie has hinted at her lack of courage for a lack of "unscripted" moments. So, consider Palin's remarks as simply returning the favor to Christie.

If Palin is capable of effectively shattering the Christie Mystique, Mitt Ronmey doesn't stand a chance of keeping his carefully crafted persona in tact.

Via: The Blaze
Via: Fox Nation

Chris Christie on collective bargaining

The Right Scoop: He says he’s all in with collective bargaining and he’d probably do a good job. I just wonder if he’s really considering the New Jersey taxpayer for the long term. More to the point, what happens when he’s gone and the unions get another lackey in the governor’s office? That must be a consideration.

Bingo, that is the exact problem with Christie's view on collective bargaining. Christie is thinking in the here and now, not long term.  What happens when a Democrat is in charge who has received massive contributions from the same unions he must negotiate with?  


What is needed are built in protections for the taxpayer so that no matter who is governor taxpayers cannot be hosed by unions.  The best way to achieve that is to curb the scope of collective bargaining. 


The problem for Christie is that he does not have the legislature to help him achieve long term changes.  In New Jersey Democrats still outnumber Republicans in both the Assembly and the Senate and no amount of Christie toughness can make them curtail collective bargaining. 


Via: The Right Scoop

Chris Christie on 2012: "I already know I could win"

My governor Chris Christie had a sit down with National Review's Rich Lowry and Lowry pressed him on 2012.  Here is what Christie said:

National Review: Yes. Believe me, I’ve been interested in politics my whole life. I see the opportunity. But I just don’t believe that’s why you run. Like I said at AEI, I have people calling me and saying to me, “Let me explain to you how you could win.” And I’m like, “You’re barking up the wrong tree. I already know I could win.” That’s not the issue. The issue is not me sitting here and saying, “Geez, it might be too hard. I don’t think I can win.” I see the opportunity both at the primary level and at the general election level. I see the opportunity.

But I’ve got to believe I’m ready to be president, and I don’t. And I think that that’s the basis you have to make that decision. I think when you have people who make the decision just based upon seeing the opportunity you have a much greater likelihood that you’re going to have a president who is not ready. And then we all suffer from that. Even if you’re a conservative, if your conservative president is not ready, you’re not going to be good anyway because you’re going to get rolled all over the place in that town.

I just see how much better I get at this job every day, and I do, and I learn things. If not every day, at least every week. And my wife and I were actually talking about this last night. We had dinner together with the family after the [New Jersey budget] speech and she was saying how much better she thought I was yesterday than I had been before in my speech. She said, “You are getting better.”

That’s just the nature of life. So, I see the opportunity, I recognize and understand it and I’m really flattered that people think of me that way. But, if I don’t believe it in here [pointing to his heart], I’m not going to be a good candidate on top of everything else.

And remember in the context of sitting there on election night 2009, and my wife and I were convinced we were going to lose. It is a bit to get your arms around, too. You’re a successful United States attorney and then within a year of that time you have people talking about you and I was running around campaigning for folks. All of these handmade “Christie for President” signs in the crowds when I was in Michigan and Iowa and all the other places that I went, Ohio and Pennsylvania and Florida. It’s also been overwhelming, too.

Like I said before, I am who I am and people have to trust, they don’t have to but they should trust, my instincts on this. I know me better than anyone else knows me. If I felt like I was ready, I’d go, but I’m not. But I’m also not going to go if I don’t think I’m ready.

When I walked into the Governor’s office last January there have been some difficult days in the job. There has never been a day where I’ve felt like I’m over my head, I don’t know what to do, I’m lost. I don’t know whether I’d feel the same way if I walked into the Oval Office a year and a half from now. So, unless you get yourself to the point where you really believe you have a shot to be successful, then I don’t think you have any business running for it.

Truth be told, Christie is right, he could win.  Chris Christie has the two big keys to 2012 success;

1. He knows how to deliver the message that it is time for America to take its medicine.
2. He is more than capable of standing up to the buckets of evil the left is going to dump on him.

Add to the mix Christie's confrontational style (Obama doesn't handle confrontation well) and you have a winning formula.

I think we should take Christie at his word that he is not running in 2012.  I don't think we should count him out for the VP spot though,  especially if Romney is the nominee.

A political player here in NJ told me the other day that the Republican establishment is actually quite OK with an Obama second term.  Their reasoning is that taking control in 2012 would mean that Republicans would have to do a lot of unpopular things to get the country back on track. As such, they could be thrown out once again in 2016.  Thus it would be better to let the nation suffer 4 more years and then come to the rescue in 2016.  

This strategy would work well for Christie.  He could be Romney's VP in 2012 and then lose to Obama.  In 2016,  Republicans can follow the standard rule of "next in line" and that would be Christie, now with more national exposure. It would also be the perfect boost to get Christie past hot newcomers like Marco Rubio and Rand Paul.


It is truly cynical but oh so doable. 


Via: Memeorandum
Via: National Review

Chris Christie PAC?

Politico: One of Chris Christie's top political advisers revealed that he is considering formation of a federal political action committee because of the extraordinary interest in the New Jersey governor.

Bill Palatucci, often described as Christie's "political godfather," said that not forming such a fundraising committee would be "leaving money on the table."

The comments came in an interview with the  Courier-Post of Cherry Hill, N.J., published Sunday.

Palatucci, Christie's former law partner, made the remarks even as he tried throwing cold water on the notion that the governor — who's gotten acclaim from national Republicans — is taking steps designed toward a presidential run.

"If reporters would look for a second below the surface, they'd see I've never been to Iowa," Palatucci said, adding that another adviser, Mike DuHaime, "has not been to New Hampshire. There have been no lawyers hired to advise or investigate a presidential run." [MORE]

The question to ask regarding Palatucci's comment about "leaving money on the table" is money for what?  Most politicians run PACs so that they can buy support and run campaigns.  Although Chris Christie has said repeatedly that he will not run in 2012, I am not going to believe him until the end of the year.

I say this because the political stars are aligned for Christie.  After 3 years of Obama, America is still looking for that Hope and Change they were promised. This time around though Americans want someone who is the real deal and Christie has proven that to a significant degree.  If Christie waits until 2016 or 2020, he will find himself in a sea of new Republican "rock stars" (Marco Rubio, Scott Walker, Allen West, just to name a few).  Right now, aside from Palin, who else is ready to run  that can get the base fired up?

P.S. For those Chris Christie fans who are looking for more signs he may run in 2012, here is another ... Christie is losing weight.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Politico

Via: NJ.Com

Video: Chris Christe's speech at the American Enterprise Institue - UPDATED

I have not had a chance to watch all of this video yet, but I wanted to share it with all of you.  Commentary will follow shortly.  Enjoy.


UPDATE:Commentary


In this speech, Chris Christie has given congressional Republicans both the tone and the language to win the budget debate.  It is a simple formula, tell the truth and be forceful about it.


Republicans must flatly and forcefully tell the hard cold truth, the nation is broke.  Our days of spend it now and pay for it later has finally caught up to us. Now, not tomorrow, is the time to save ourselves. Talk of "investment" spending is dangerously irresponsible. 


Hopefully, Christies' words today will cause more than just a few Republicans to gird their loins and do the right thing.


Regarding Christie 2012, I am not 100% convinced he will not run.  Christie has said time and time again he fears for his children's future.  If that is true, how does one sit idly by as no one steps up to the plate?  Like Ann Coulter, I am not going to write off Christie 2012 until later in the year.


Should Christie run, I am going to have to think long and hard about it, because I am torn.  On one hand, Christie has all the things needed to win (the message, the toughness and the solutions).  On the other hand it is that very toughness that gives me pause.  It is no secret that Christie isn't a stone cold conservative.  So on those issues where he differs from conservatives, he will bring that toughness to fight against us.  Imagine how much different the illegal immigration debate would have gone if George W. Bush was as tough as Christie?


Before I vote for Christie I would have to know where Christie and I differ on the issues, then be willing to live with the possibility of losing on some of those issues.


Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Hill
Video h/t: Pundit and Pundette

Chris Christie vetoes bill to restore funding to Planned Parenthood

Life News: Following the release of a video that has received nationwide attention showing Planned Parenthood staff at a New Jersey abortion center helping alleged sexual traffickers cover up their crimes with abortions and STD testing, Governor Chris Christie has vetoed a bill funding Planned Parenthood.

A new undercover video shows Planned Parenthood officials in New Jersey telling a pimp and his prostitute assistant how they can get abortions for young teenage girls who, Planned Parenthood officials are informed, are Asians in the country illegally and forced into the sex trade.  The staffer was later fired for her actions.

The Perth Amboy abortion center where the video is filmed is the second-largest Planned Parenthood center operated by Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey and the abortion business plans to double its number of abortion centers in the state.

Christie has already yanked state taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood but the state legislaturesent him a bill to restore the taxpayer funds.[MORE]

The New Jersey legislature must be dumber than a box of rocks.  In light of the Live Action video, did the legislature really think they still had leverage to get Christie to restore funding? Even if you are pro-choice, the incident at the Perth Amboy Planned Parenthood office should at least suggest a thorough investigation before any funds are restored.

Thankfully, an investigation is what seems to be coming.

National Review: Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey has fired the staffer in yesterday’s video. And the attorney general of New Jersey is calling for an investigation:

Attorney General Paula Dow asked the Division of Criminal Justice to investigate whether the manager broke any laws. “At first glance, I find these allegations to be very disturbing,” Dow said in a statement. Her spokesman Paul Loriquet said Gov. Chris Christie’s office and some legislators had referred the matter to her attention. 

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Life News

Via: National Review 

Chris Christie: Delaware “missed opportunity” for the Senate

Associated Press: WASHINGTON (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the Senate race in Delaware was "a missed opportunity" for his fellow Republicans to pick up the seat long held by Democrat Joe Biden.

Tea party favorite Christine O'Donnell won the GOP nomination in an upset over moderate Rep. Mike Castle. But she lost the general election Tuesday to Democrat Chris Coons.

Christie says he was proud to have endorsed Castle.

O'Donnell ran a nontraditional campaign that opened with a TV ad saying "I'm not a witch." National Republicans had hoped the race would help them win the majority in the Senate.

Christie told NBC's "Meet the Press" that "I think Delaware was a missed opportunity to have a really good U.S. senator." 

I am going to have to disagree with my governor on this one.   First, Christine O’Donnell was a weak candidate.  Sorry to say it but it is true.  As a Tea Party candidate, the left, the GOP establishment and the media was going to play pile on.  We saw it time and time again throughout this election.  So, when Christine O’Donnell’s turn for the assault came along, she should have been prepared. She simply could not handle the onslaught.

That being said, Mike Castle was the wrong man for the times.  From now to 2012 Republicans are going to have to face some very tough votes in order to bring spending and the deficit under control.  In order to pull that off, every Republican and a few Democrats will be needed in the Senate.  Time and time again, we have seen liberal Republicans like Mike Castle, foil GOP plans by failing to live up to conservative principles.  Both Republicans and the nation cannot afford such fickleness now.

So while Chris Christie may believe that it is important to have another R on the team, the reality is that the quality of the R’s in the senate matter more. 

Perhaps a strong willed man like Chris Christie could keep wayward senate Republicans in check; but I have little faith in Mitch McConnell doing so.

You can see the full video of Chris Christie on Meet the Press at The Right Scoop.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Associated Press

Via: The Right Scoop

The Other Side of the Equation: Chris Christie to cut 1,200 public sector jobs

Washington Examiner: Since assuming office, Chris Christie has been relentlessly hammering home the message that New Jersey’s state government, which is badly in the red, must live within its means. But he’s also not afraid to make the tough decisions either. Whereas the previous governor, Jon Corzine, struck a deal to prevent layoffs in the public sector at a time when private sector workers were unemployed in record numbers, here comes Christie taking on the public sector unions:

State government is on track to shed at least 1,200 jobs in January, Gov. Chris Christie said today.

“Whether it will grow beyond that, I don’t know,” he said at a Statehouse press conference. “That’s very much going to be dependent on what the revenue outlook looks like for the state.”

The job cuts include layoffs and attrition, spokesman Michael Drewniak said.

How much do you think unions are going to spend to take Christie out when he runs for reelection? Sky’s the limit, I bet. 

This is the other side of the balance budget equation.  For too long politicians only see the increase revenue (i.e. higher taxes) side of the equation.  Chris Christie is looking at the cutting spending side.

I can already hear the left’s complaint that Christie will be adding to the unemployment rolls by cutting these jobs.  This argument is flawed because public sector jobs are not like private sector jobs.  Public sector jobs must be funded by the private sector and right now the private sector is struggling with high unemployment, foreclosures, job insecurity, high taxes and creeping inflation.  Is it fair then to ask these folks who are under such economic assault to continue carrying the burden of public sector employment?

As our economy continues to struggle along, I think more and more people are going to start realizing that the time has come to unburden ourselves from the weight of big government.

Via: The Washington Examiner

Chris Christie yanks Planned Parenthood funding in NJ

I just finished reading the GOP’s less than bold Pledge to America, and then I came across this item at National Review:

Part of Gov. Chris Christie’s belt-tightening plan for New Jersey was the termination of $7.5 million in public funding for Planned Parenthood clinics in the state, a decision Democrats in the legislature countermanded with a bill that cleared the Senate with a 30-10 vote — sufficient to override a veto. But when that veto came and the Democrats scheduled an override vote, Republicans in the legislature backed down, and the measure failed 23-17.

Now, Planned Parenthood facilities in the state are shuttering their doors:

After the New Jersey state Senate defeated an attempt to override the decision of Gov. Chris Christie to cut off state taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood abortion businesses, the first facility run by the national abortion giant is closing.

The Cherry Hill Courier Post newspaper says a Planned Parenthood facility located on Haddonfield Road and operated by Planned Parenthood of Southern New Jersey will close down.

PP-SNJ stands to lose as much as $160,000 in taxpayer funds because of Christie’s decision and the upholding of his veto. With the closing of the Cherry Hill center, Planned Parenthood customers seeking abortions or other “services” must go to PP centers in Camden, Bellmawr, and Edgewater Park.

More here.

Imagine that, taking on one the left’s sacred cows and having NJ Senate Republicans mimic Christie’s testosterone.

The thing I would like to know is why can pro abortion advocates privately fund abortion?  I am a pro-lifer and I fervently believe all innocent life deserves a chance at life.  So strongly is my belief that I am willing to put my money where my mouth is and I give as generously as I can to the pro-life cause.  If pro-abortion advocates believe as strongly as I do, why don’t they fund their own cause, rather than constantly try to have the public pick up the tab through the back door?

As very hard times approach this nation, it is high time we all give a serious look at all of these supposed “sacred cows” that must constantly be funded.

The National GOP would do well to ask Chris Christie to help them rewrite their pledge. As the current Pledge stands now, it is the basic stuff that Republicans should have been doing all along.  It doesn’t tackle the hard stuff like runaway entitlements.

Here is a little advice from Chris Christie for the national GOP :

Via: Memeorandum

Via: National Review

Video h/t: The Right Scoop

Being tough pays off: N.J. voters approve of Chris Christie

When Republicans take control of Congress next year, they would do well to pay heed to Chris Christie’s latest approval numbers. 

New Jersey Online: The Quinnipiac University survey of 1,190 registered voters found 51 percent approve of Christie’s job performance, while 36 percent disapprove. Voters are also more likely to identify Christie as a “leader” (51 percent) than as a “bully” (39 percent) when asked to choose.

It’s a significant improvement from June, when voters were split down the middle on both Christie’s approval rating and whether he’s more of a bully or a leader.[…]

Christie’s ratings are better than what his predesessor, Democrat Jon Corzine, chalked up in his first summer. Coming off a battle with the Legislature that temporarily shut down state government, Corzine had a 44 percent approval rating in a July 2006 Quinnipiac poll.[…] 

Garden State voters are split on how they feel about President Obama, with 47 percent approving and 47 percent disapproving — his lowest rating in any New Jersey Quinnipiac poll. [MORE] 

If Chris Christie can make the hard choices in a blue state like New Jersey and no suffer from it, then national Republicans need not worry about making the hard choices when they take control of Congress. The American people have pretty much figured out that the bill for decades of reckless spending has come due.  They are pretty much ready to take the harsh medicine needed to put our financial house in order. All that is required is a dose of honesty from Washington and change in the national narrative.

Christie has successfully changed the narrative by casting the tax payer as the victim and government largess as the victimizer. Christie will continue to be a success so long as he stays clear of foolish comments like opining on Snooki and the Ground Zero Mosque.

The Republican Governor’s Association is actually putting together a twenty-minute video of Chris Christie. Here is a sample of what is to come.

Remember November Act I: 'A New Jersey' Opening Featurette from Republican Governors Association on Vimeo.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: New Jersey Online

Via: The Week

Via: Politico

Via: RGA

Who’s ya daddy? Obama bows to Gov. Chris Christie

Here is an Obama Bow that I too agree with. Perhaps Obama was merely acknowledging Chris Christie’s superior Chief Executive skills.  Chris Christie is not one to let politics stand in the way of doing the right thing for the people. He knows how to fight the special interest by giving them a taste of their own medicine.

Money quote from video below: 

Christie: […]The state teachers union said--they had a rally in Trenton against me. 35,000 people came from the teachers. You know what that rally was? The "me first" rally. "Pay me my raise first. Pay me my free health benefits first. Pay me my pension first. And everybody else in New Jersey, get to the back of the line." Well, you know what? I'm not going to sit by and allow that to go unnoticed, so we'll shine a bright light on it, and we'll see how the people react. But I think we are seeing how the people of New Jersey are reacting, and that's how you make it politically palatable in other states in the country. Just shine a bright light on greed and self-interest." 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Sister Toldjah sees the rise of a new breed of Strong Republican Governors.  I see a rise of a new breed of Strong Republicans period. There are some new Republicans out there who (to borrow a phrase from my friend Sam at The Last Tradition) “piss standing up”.  They are less concerned about political expediency and more concerned about doing the right thing for the people. In doing so, they are willing to withstand the hot blast of hatred from their political foes. Some obvious examples would be Palin, Bachmann, Brewer, Christie and West.  I sure you can think of others.

If we want to reclaim our republic, we are going to need more strong politicians like these guys. We will most certainly need them on the left as well, especially since self-serving socialists have hijacked the Democratic Party.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Left Coast Rebel

Via: Real Clear Politics Video

Via: Sister Toldjah

Via: The Last Tradition 

Chris Cristie to NJEA: "You Punch Them, I Punch You"

The New Jersey taxpayer finally has a real hero in their corner. Check out this video of Christie at a town hall meeting in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Listen to his schoolyard bully analogy for how he is going to handle the NJEA.

I am totally against human cloning. However, I think I could look the other way, if 50 copies of Christie were made. Go Christie, punch their lights out!

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Cubachi

“Two Stones” Cristie tells teacher to find a new job is she doesn’t like education budget

How is this for honest and refreshing? New Jersey governor Chris “Two Stones” Christie held a little town hall meeting in a school gymnasium. After the chat, he opened the floor to questions and here is what happened:

But borough teacher Rita Wilson, a Kearny resident, argued that if she were paid $3 an hour for the 30 children in her class, she’d be earning $83,000, and she makes nothing near that.

"You’re getting more than that if you include the cost of your benefits," Christie interrupted.

When Wilson, who has a master’s degree, said she was not being compensated for her education and experience, Christie said:

"Well, you know then that you don’t have to do it." Some in the audience applauded.

Christie said he would not have had to impose cuts to education if the teachers union had agreed to his call for a one-year salary freeze and a 1.5 percent increase in employee benefit contributions.

"Your union said that is the greatest assault on public education in the history of the state," Christie said. "That’s why the union has no credibility, stupid statements like that."

KA-POW! One shot of reality right between the eyes. Those of us in the private sector have long understood that if your pay sucks, you pack your bags for greener pastures. Why has this simple logic escaped public sector employees? Because greedy unions fill their heads with nonsense.

To show you how much nonsense this woman has, here is what she said to reporters after the exchange with Christie:

Surrounded by reporters after she spoke, Wilson said she was shaking from the encounter, and worried she might get in trouble for speaking out.

Get in trouble for speaking out? Oh please! The NJEA will probably make her the new poster child in their war against Cristie.  This is how some union employees think. They believe they are all just scraping by on the salaries they make. Even when they are receiving annual salary increases double that of the private sector, they believe they are the underdogs. Now that we are all going broke, it is time for them to end their delusions. 

 

Oh and to all you Chris Christie 2012 fans; hands off! The big boy is staying right here until 2014!

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Hot Air

Via: North Jersey.com

Chris Christie shows how the right should handle the media

Man, Chris Christie has turned out to be the real deal. I remember voting for him, thinking he was going to be just another talker. Boy was I wrong, wrong, wrong.

Check out this video from Hot Air.  Chris Cristie gives this stupid Star Ledger columnist a shot right between the eyes.

Gov Christie calls S-L columnist thin-skinned for inquiring about his 'confrontational tone'

New Jersey, just like New York and California, is facing a serious budget shortfall. However, unlike Schwarzenegger or Paterson, Chris Cristie is actually following a commonsense conservative approach and is shrinking New Jersey’s government.

He is even getting Democrats to go against the powerful teacher’s union NJEA to support a school voucher program that is funded by private corporations.

If Christie can turn things around and save New Jersey, he will be the new template for Republicans to follow and will certainly be on the fast track to the White House.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Hot Air

Via: NJ.Com

Via: The Hill

Chris Christie: Reagan comes to New Jersey?

People are starting to notice that New Jersey governor Chris Christie is putting down some serious Reagan conservatism inside this very blue state. Yesterday William McGurn in the Wall Street Journal explained part of the secret to Christie’s early success.

... What makes the battle interesting is the way Mr. Christie is throwing the old chestnuts back at his critics.

Here are a few examples, culled from his budget address, public meetings and radio appearances:

The children will be the ones to suffer from your education cuts. "The real question is, who's for the kids, and who's for their raises? This isn't about the kids. Let's dispense with that portion of the argument. Don't let them tell you that ever again while they are reaching into your pockets."

Budget cuts are unfair. "The special interests have already begun to scream their favorite word—which, coincidentally, is my 9-year-old son's favorite word when we are making him do something he knows is right but does not want to do—'unfair.' . . . One state retiree, 49 years old, paid, over the course of his entire career, a total of $124,000 towards his retirement pension and health benefits. What will we pay him? $3.3 million in pension payments over his life, and nearly $500,000 for health care benefits—a total of $3.8 million on a $120,000 investment. Is that fair?"...

Isn't your talk of 'stopping the tax madness' just another 'Read My Lips' promise? "[Mine is] much better than 'Read my lips.' I'm sorry, it's just much better. Much stronger. . . . It's gonna be how my governorship will rise or fall. I'm not signing a tax increase."

What Christie has done is to basically combat the old lefty compassion arguments with compassion argument from the taxpayer’s perspective. In doing so, he leaves these special interest groups looking like the unreasonable ones.

When Republicans take control in 2010, they would do wise to follow Christie’s example. The nation has reached the point where all this spending has become quite distasteful, so now is the time to really point out the insanity of it all and go about doing some serious cutting.

I’ll leave you with this interview Chris Christie had yesterday with Joe Scarborough. Listen to what he says and just imagine if this guy was free to run in 2012.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Wall Street Journal