February 17, 2011

"With just one impressive speech, Chris Christie put three full days of CPAC speakers to shame."

Says Politico, summarizing what its "a bipartisan panel of experts" thought:
And all agreed he certainly appeared ready for the Oval Office, despite his protests to the contrary.

“He looked presidential in the kind of Hollywood sense,” [Democratic strategist Jamal] Simmons said. “The 'Bulworth,' straight-talking politician. John Goodman on 'The West Wing.' Republican guy from the heartland. He looked that part but it’s a long way to go from there to the White House.”
Eh. Okay. You're a Democratic strategist. What's your game?
[GOP strategist Chris] Henick said he was impressed by Christie’s “willingness step out on the ice without worrying about falling through or not” – by taking on the powerful teachers’ unions and seeking to reform costly public employee pension programs.

“Today was about complete command, focus on the immediacy of our problems,” Henick said.

51 comments:

David said...

One guy actually addresses real issues in an adult way and everyone goes bonkers.

What does that tell you about our politics today?

Anonymous said...

If you're a Dem strategists, say that he's hurting the children and he's against the cops and firemen, and if that fails (as it is in N.J.) call him fat.

Anonymous said...

Christie’s “willingness step out on the ice

Better be pretty freakin' thick ice.

Peter

Scott M said...

If Christie starts loosing weight, take it as a positive sign that's he's going to throw his hat in the ring for POTUS.

Original Mike said...

Christie is refreshing because he doesn't talk in the wishy-washy manner that virtually all politicians use.

TMink said...

Full time politicos look at style. What rocks about Christie is his substance.

Trey

Bill S. said...

The time for smooth talkers and personalities is over. The winning ticket in 2012 will be led by a pragmatist who offers common sense solutions to our many problems. Chris Christie seems to be one of those people. Mitch Daniels is another.

Pastafarian said...

I'd still prefer the conservative Thune, but I'll take Christie. He's certainly more electable than the diminutive technocrat Mitch Daniels favored by Althouse.

(I'd take Daniels too, over what we have in the White House now; but I don't think he can win against Obama).

shiloh said...

If Christie did indeed put the rest to shame, just shows the current state of leadership er lack thereof in the Republican party.

Again, how did Obama get soooo damn lucky!

Re: 2012 ~ Reps fuhgeddaboudit ...

'nuf said!

madAsHell said...

I'm pretty sure that Christie does NOT use a teleprompter....or at least I've seen him talk at length with NO teleprompter.

Christie would never say..."the police behaved stupidly".....and why would anyone ever construct such a sentence? I'm sorry, but that statement is a litmus test for intelligence. I believe that it indicates a room temperature IQ.

I'm Full of Soup said...

At one time, I thought the Rep candidate should have a lot of experience so they could bludgeon Obama with the "lacked experience" argument in debates, ads etc.

But I guess Christie is pretty heavy [heh] on experience.

Mitch H. said...

Bulworth? Wasn't that the Warren Beatty movie about the establishment Republican who had a personality-changing aneurysm or something like that and started rapping & sleeping with idealistic, young black women & pushing Hollywood-left libertine politics?

I'll never vote for Thune, Pasta, or any other politician who so voraciously defends the inexcusable ethanol abomination. Christie's pretty entertaining, but probably unelectable outside of Jersey. He's too left-wing for the check-box socons and pro-life absolutists, they'd split off for Huckabee or some other no-hope vanity play. I like Daniels, but he's charging off into that same Waterloo, I fear.

Joe said...

(The Crypto Jew)


Disclaimer: I’m a Palinista.

Chris Christie is very good, IF you like guyz who’s shtick is to beat up on the Teachers Union. HOWEVER, if you’re a Second Amendment Conservative, and Pro-Life, and not so sure about the Ground Zero Mosque and you would like an insight into the future of America’s national Security/Foreign Policy Christie lacks…..Christie, like Mitch Daniels seems to ignore the three legs of Conservatism, Fiscal, Defense, AND Social….He’s good on Fiscal.

As Rush Limbaugh says, when do you see the Left jettisoning one of their constituent groups? Only the Right seems determined to jettison a part of its “base.” The Social Conservatives. It can’t just be said, “But the Fiscal Crisis is SOOOO Bad….” That’s as may be, but when the current Administration and Congress convene, did they ONLY focus on one thing, no they addressed the issues of their constituencies…in short the Left can walk and chew gum at the same time, why not the Right?

Bottom-Line: you want experience, and fiscal conservatism, AND Pro-Life AND pro-Defense you can have all that in Palin…if you just want to defund teachers unions, by all means vote for Christie…..

Triangle Man said...

Christie would never say..."the police behaved stupidly"..

No, he would say "the cops were dumb".

Just kidding. I like his style and his substance so far.

Bob_R said...

The bald guy and the fat guy look better and better all the time.

victoria said...

I like Christie. He is my kind of Republican. Pro gun control, pro choice, fiscally conservative. He's got my vote if he runs. And I am a Democrat (with a big D).


Vicki from Pasadena

Tank said...

FYI, Christie is pro-life.

As to other national issues, as a first term governor, I'd like him to work on NJ.

ricpic said...

Christie's for amnesty -- a total non-starter for conservatives.

Joe said...

(The Crypto Jew)

I find it so interesting that Gov. Chris Christie was respectful of a woman's individual, constitutional right to reproductive choice while he was running his campaign in pro-choice New Jersey.
Just a lettre to a NJ newspaper….

Carol said...

I sure hope he doesn't go on a diet regime! For once we have someone totally focused on day-to-day business and not on his carb counts or his personal best 10K time or his bench press. I like that forgetfulness-of-self; it's kinda rare in our Hollywood pols nowadays.

Granted, it's old-school, except (I hope) without the smoking and heavy drinking. He just may live long enough to be president.

CJinPA said...

He doesn't use a teleprompter.

That's easily the biggest (style) difference from the CPAC speakers. I yawned through most CPAC speeches due to the robotic nature.

At least one of these big right-leaning organizations should host a gathering with a No Prepared Remarks rule. Everyone would watch. Risky for the candidate? Yes. But not as risky as looking like a frightened tool.

Joe said...

(The Crypto Jew)

No Prepared Remarks rule. Everyone would watch. Risky for the candidate? Yes. But not as risky as looking like a frightened tool.
Then you become “stoopit” because you might notes on your hand….

Unknown said...

Like Joe, a lot of conservatives are looking past the budget-cutting and souring on Christie. He seems very soft on the Islamic crazies, as well as gun rights.

Only a little surprised little Vicki likes him.

Trooper York said...

victoria said...
I like Christie. He is my kind of Republican. Pro gun control, pro choice, fiscally conservative. He's got my vote if he runs. And I am a Democrat (with a big D).
Vicki from Pasadena"

There you go. The Democrats favorite Republican. Much like the crazy old coot who ran last time.

He has zero chance in a Republican primary just like Guiliani did who he is a chubbier version of with a slimmer resume. Just sayn'

Trooper York said...

And I say that as someone who would vote for him, but he has no chance so get real.

David said...

victoria said...
I like Christie. He is my kind of Republican. Pro gun control, pro choice, fiscally conservative. He's got my vote if he runs. And I am a Democrat (with a big D).

Vicki, is that you? Are you feeling ok? You better get this checked out.

Trooper York said...

Also he is dirty in some way that will come out.

Every politician in New Jersey is dirty. He will not run. He has told you so. Believe him.

Bryan C said...

"Every politician in New Jersey is dirty."

Every politician everywhere is dirty. And, if you look hard enough and spin hard enough, everyone, everywhere is dirty.

I don't like dirty, but I really hate incompetence. If I can find someone competent to do the job at hand then I may be willing to live with some dirt.

Trooper York said...

The problem is that the media will not cover up the dirt like they do for Democrats.

Obama was dirty. His deal with the real estate and his wife's mafia no work job would never be accepted if he was a Republican. They would have beat that drum every day in every way to drive him out of office.

Charlie Rangel is running again.

It won't float for Christie. So to speak.

Scott M said...

It won't float for Christie. So to speak.

Those shoes would take quite a lot of cement, wouldn't they?

Rich B said...

Chris Christie had better stay put. I live in NJ and he has to finish up what he's started.

In any case he will be 49 this yea and Palin just turned 47. They are the future of the Republican party.

reader_iam said...

I'd take Christie at his word about not wanting to run, not being ready, and I think he's right, too. Let him focus on NJ and let's see how that turns out. And, as I think I've written here before, I think Mary Pat would absolutely have to be on board or a run for the presidency, now or in the future, would be a non-starter. She's sweet, but a tough cookie--or at least she was back in college days, and from what I can tell from afar, neither of them seem to be all that different than they were then. Which speaks well of them, IMO.

Chris

reader_iam said...

Sorry for the errant "Chris" at the end of that last post. Bad editing, not intended as a signature.

Trooper York said...

Sure give us all that inside knowledge reader you political insider you.

But you are right. You should always understand that the wife calls the tune in a happy marriage. Happy wife, happy life.

Unhappy wife, John Edwards. Just sayn'

former law student said...

All you Michelle Obama H8ers should see what a fatass Chris Christie is:

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages
/2011/02/17/CHRISTIE.html

reader_iam said...

So if Christie weren't fat, you'd be on board with him, FLS?

He always was jowly, by the way. He could be at his perfect weight and he'd still be a solid type and his head, neck and shoulders, in particular, would still look big. Especially in photographs and video.

Michael said...

I hope Christie stays fat. He is the one fat person I like and approve of. I would love to have a fat plain speaking president who did not talk out of his ass, who calls bullshit on most bullshit, and whose default position would be to leave us all alone as much as possible. I wouldn't even mind sitting next to him on an airplane.

reader_iam said...

That die seemed already cast by 19.

reader_iam said...

Oh, forgot to say: "Hello, Trooper."

Trooper York said...

"Michael said...
I hope Christie stays fat. He is the one fat person I like and approve of."

That hurts Michael.

I thought we were cool.

Trooper York said...

Oh and hi reader.

Can you post some photos of the Governor from intramural basketball where he wore those short-shorts?

reader_iam said...

Can you post some photos of the Governor from intramural basketball where he wore those short-shorts?

LOL.

I only wish I had some photos of us arguing during Student Government meetings over one sort of bullshit or another, though. Good times, good times.

Michael said...

Trooper: didn't know you were fat. You aren't, of course, until I see you so no worries.

I am Irish and I love to fight but never fat guys and never, as you know, the quiet guy in the corner.

Alex said...

Christie is a RINO. Don't fall for it.

shiloh said...

In any case he will be 49 this yea and Palin just turned 47. They are the future of the Republican party.

Again, how did the Dems get soooo damn lucky ~ praise the lord!

You bet'cha!

Scott M said...

Christie is a RINO. Don't fall for it.

That being said, he might make a good VP or cabinet member.

Anonymous said...

He has my vote if he runs (him or Daniels of IN). I would get off my ass and campaign for them.

ricpic said...

I love ALL fat people, Troop. I do I do I do I do.....

Blair said...

Seriously, if Daniels (or Huckabee for that matter) is the nominee, I'd support Obama. At least Obama doesn't pretend not to be left wing.

Christie is the sort of fellow who, when he says he is not running, you believe him. So further discussion is academic.

Roger J. said...

Gov Christie seems to be the real thing--dont agree with all of his positions, but he seems to be honest and straightforward--I dont much give a rats ass about his other positions--at this point in the republic's history fiscal sanity is job one--the other stuff can be dealt with.

And predictably comments about his weight seem to crop up like mushrooms after the first spring rain--

I will take Gov Christie at his word--fix new jersey and run on his record there

Better than that shucker and jiver that we have in the white house now.

former law student said...

reader: I was calling out only the ones who call attention to Michelle Obama's figure flaws. The shallow, mean-spirited, etc.