Chris Christie – Media Shock at Decision to Bow out Of 2012 GOP Race – His Decision Carries More Weight than Most Consider

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie - from the website: Save Jersey.com

When one considers the special election for Governor of New Jersey in 2009, it was not so much the knowledge of who Chris Christie might have been (to those living outside New Jersey proper), but the fact that this Republican did the unthinkably impossible – take the lead and become the Governor of one of the bluest states in the nation. That was admirable enough; however, as time went on, and the press conferences began, it was apparent that Chris Christie was no ordinary Northeast Republican, rather a guy who was willing to take on the entire Democrat machine in Jersey, from the Legislature to the Unions. At that time, when one thought of Northeast Republican’s, there appeared a vision of men in suits, women in pearls, holding exclusive barbeques and fundraisers – the country club set. (See Mitt Romney and the perception he just cannot shake.) The general impression given that the party itself is so inconsequential anyone running as a Republican was not really that serious? Then along came some guy in a pickup truck in Massachusetts by the name of Scott Brown. Between Brown and Christie the landscape had changed, and the Typical Republican became hard to define. (Note: this change in the GOP typical candidate appears to have been lost on the media, or the DNC, perhaps in denial, but was clear to those who vote: Republican, Independent and Moderate Democrats.)

Christie had specific appeal, as he managed to do what no other Governor had done, lower taxes in New Jersey, and best the Teachers unions. It’s not that it had not happened before; it just didn’t happen north of the Mason Dixon Line and east of Iowa.
Therefore, many of those who are looking at a field of eight GOP candidates, many of whom are more than capable of taking the helm that that is the U.S. government, looked at Christie as some sort of icon (which he truly is), and tried any way possible to push the man to run for the office of the President. Time and again, ad nauseum, Christie graciously outlined the reasoning as to why he would not take the “bait”. It was big “news”, this candidate that would not leave his job as the Governor of New Jersey, and run for the GOP nomination, as of today there are as many articles on Chris Christie's shocking decision not to run (shock to whom?), as there are of Herman Cain’s poll numbers being equal to Mitt Romney’s!

The New York Times headline best exemplifies the press on Christie ”Opting Out of the Race Christie Says “Now is not my time”. What is missing from the headline: for the umpteenth time Christie says “No”!

The fact that anyone who wants the job of the Presidency, at this stage in history, should have two qualities to this mind, be somewhat off the reservation to begin with, and be as dedicated as Moses leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. The nation is in a state, both physiologically and economically, that even Ronald Reagan may have paused before considering the post. Anyone going in knows that the work will be tough, they will be faced with a dismal economy, a hostile press and a more hostile, although, smaller group of Progressives who will whine and accuse with no end in sight. (That would be the Democrats in both Houses of Congress, assuming those most vocal will still be employed by the people). Restoring the economy is one thing, restoring the credibility of the U.S. abroad will be another, and it may well take both time and someone used to taking criticism from all sides, to do this job.

Christie as Governor of New Jersey is pretty much in the same position, on a state level, and frankly, holding the position, not necessarily for the GOP, rather for the people of New Jersey, may just be as important if not more so at this time that say a run at the White House. To lose New Jersey to the Progressive Democrats would be to give the press and DNC the opportunity to affirm that the tide had changed – regardless of the fact that Christie had and continues to do the impossible. Therefore, holding New Jersey is akin to holding the Alamo, and perhaps more important at this point in the effort to reign in Government and get the nation, state by state, back on track and away from cronyism.

It is easy to admire Chris Christie simply because he is the straight talking Governor of New Jersey, who one must admit, is all that and a slice of bread to any political junkie. He resonates in his press conferences: one moment, yelling at surfers to “Get the Hell off the Beach - You have maximized your tan”, in the best of Jersey dialect and the fury of a leader faced with stupidity (given the threat of a Hurricane – Irene). Moving to a speech less impromptu, at the Reagan library, he delivers what can only described as a stunning speech, full of hope, sprinkled with wit, and, when pressed, (for the umpteenth time to run for the Presidency), humble but not so that he would not be flattered (as he pointed out anyone would).

Christie is where he belongs: fighting the good fight for the taxpayers of New Jersey, and holding the line for Fiscal Conservatives in all fifty states. It’s an important job, this particular Governorship and Christie knows it. Christie also knows the polls, and understands that one of those standing on the GOP debate stage (or another that may join them) will, in all likelihood, be the next President – what better place to be than Govenor of New Jersey? Delivering perhaps for the first time in memory, the State of New Jersey to the GOP? That would appear to be the tougher campaign if one is honest, far more challenging and in future implications, one that would increase the already significant admiration for the Governor exponentially. Who knows, he may be just the ticket in 2020.

The Coming Storm – The Democrats - A Divided and Divisive Party

Ben Adler, writing for Politico ponders the question: “Will Clinton Take the Blame if Obama falls?” – This is a valid question. Once Hillary Clinton was literally shoved out of the primary contest after a remarkable showing, she was expected to “suck it up” and urge her supporters to get back in line with the party that prefers that women stay exactly where they belong – in second place. Her supporters, on the other hand, may just balk at the prospect and either vote for the other guy and or not vote at all. Anyone watching Hillary Clintons brilliant concession speech could take note of the crowd – disappointed in the extreme – not in Clinton, but in the process that allowed a media and party leaders to push a woman to the back while promoting a candidate that was ultimately less qualified to head the party. There's an old adage: Never underestimate the power of a woman. Howard Dean, John Kerry, Bill Richardson, Harry Reid - take note. Vengence is an artform.

Adler notes in his article that many Obama supporters felt that Clinton was unduly harsh in her attacks on Obama – and with this question, the obvious becomes clear. Obama will come under grueling attacks by a Republican machine that is more than capable (Clinton understood this). The debates between Obama and McCain will clearly show a stark contrast to a stunning orator and someone who just knows his stuff – can Obama somehow avoid debating McCain? That is doubtful. So, this is the scenario – with Obama out there on his own, facing a Republican party that can more than throw a fatal punch, with his own party divided, with a message of hope lacking substance, should he someone lose the bid for the presidency – it will be Clinton’s fault? That’s beyond sexist. Women should rethink their affiliation with a party that’s sole platform for women has been “Abortion Rights – giving no thought to equal pay for equal work (women still receive less per hour than their male counterparts). ‘You’ve come a long way baby” – how incredibly insulting. The 2008 political races just became a great deal more interesting.

McCain-Huckabee Speculation

Clinton Wins All-Important West Virginia

The Arkansas News Service is reporting on the U.S. New and World Report blog that floated a Mike Huckabee as Vice President piece earlier in the week – additional speculation from Novak, floating a “credible religious right type” informer who made the claim that Mike Huckabee would see Obama as a president that America “deserved” – a statement that was flatly denied by a very credible Mike Huckabee, finishes the article. U.S. News and World Report has a follow-up here: Responses from those on the “right” to the idea of a McCain-Huckabee ticket.

All pundits involved (with the exception of Novak, who should try a actual reporting for a change - “credible religious right type” (note: smears two entities in one stroke of the pen, Christian conservatives and Mike Huckabee – a two-fer!), are speculating based on the fact that McCain needs help in certain areas and Mike Huckabee fills that bill. They point to the south, as well as blue-collar working class individuals who, they note, Mike Huckabee identifies with. Here’s a thought, given the map of the GOP race to date, Mike Huckabee has done very well, including states that have voted since he announced an end to his candidacy. Protest votes send a clear message; unfortunately, pundits and the GOP and possibly John McCain may miss the message.

It is not true that Mike Huckabee appeals to only the “Evangelical, Southern, working class” that the media and pundits continually point to in an attempt to explain his appeal away vis a vis their elite mentality. One look at the HuckPac blog roll shows a stunning array of non-typical Huckabee supporters.

Conversation with mother-in-law, an 85 year old, sharp as a tack, Yankee, Catholic, non-nonsense, kind of lady – I don’t like that Obama, he has no experience, and change, what kind of change? I like Hillary, but it’s looking like she doesn’t have a chance, (she reads the actual newspaper, watches CNN, FOX and MSNBC), I don’t like McCain, he’s too old (seriously, this was said, but there is an explanation) – I don’t know if I’m going to vote. Except, it would depend a lot on who McCain chose as V.P., (here comes the age factor), I’m not crazy about Mitt Romney, given his record in Massachusetts, we had enough of him, but, I’d vote for McCain if he chose Mike Huckabee. – So, I had to ask, why Mike Huckabee? Because he’s honest, and he has a plan, I watched him a lot on CNN in the beginning and I know they told us that he couldn’t make it because he didn’t have enough money, but they liked him, and so did I. He’s a compassionate leader and he cares about the country and the people. (For the record, she has voted both sides of the Aisle, and considers herself to be Independent). McCain can now add Senior Citizens to the list of those who would vote for him, only if he had a younger running mate! Preferably one who was bolstered in the beginning of the primary cycle by CNN and MSNBC! (How ironic is this?)

From a geographic -demographic perspective, a McCain –Huckabee ticket makes sense in any wise, Mike did well in the south and the Midwest, and of course, West Virginia. He’s known, and although, not well liked by neo-conservative groups (that should be a bell-ringer as to why he’s electable); it’s a smart-choice on a GOP ticket.

That said all of the above is mere speculation. McCain has the choice to make, and there are many qualified candidates for the VP slot – short list, long list, top of the list, at this point, that list is subject to change. Although personally a Mike Huckabee supporter who would love to see him on the ticket, I prefer a “wait and see”, actual announcement to wild speculation.



On another note, a very positive note: Hillary Clinton took the state of West Virginia last night in what can only be seen as a stunning defeat for Barrack Obama and a huge boost to the Clinton Campaign. It was an across the board, across demographics victory that should send a clear message to those Super Delegates who have yet to commit that perhaps Obama is not the right choice at this particular moment in time. The Base, again, that all important Base, which, although as fragmented as the RNC base, has that big block of working-class voters who identify with Hillary Clinton, along with women, (it might be worth noting that this particular minority is actually a huge majority), who are critical to a win in November. Just as the RNC has relied heavily on values voters (or those who are also Christian conservatives, those who prefer less tax, those who prefer less government), in the past to push G.W. Bush in to the White House for two terms, neither party can, at this point, afford to ignore the candidates (or potential v.p.’s) that will bring these voters home.