**BREAKING** Possible Republican Presidential Candidate: Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey

[vaberella]

Okay this is based off of a lot of things...well not so much...but you get my point.

I was watching Tweety's show last night and I have to say it's a strong possibility. This was also sort of waved around on Tweety's show several times before. But more and more I can see that being a surprise candidate.

I think I was talking to karynnj about how Gov. Chris Christie won the election. Which was more like, he didn't seem like a threat---but is definitely turning up as one-well he confirmed he is one. However, he still has a high poll rating in New Jersey and more and more I'm hearing his name waved around a lot in the media from MSNBC to CNN, to Fox News.

Now in Tweety's show last night...he didn't give much credence to the CC meme, but I noticed that the Republican Strategist said something telling. He made this comment (paraphrased): "This is playing out like in 1991/92 when the Democrats had no one and a little governor from Arkansas known Bill Clinton swept the elections." <---That was what I needed to hear to make me think that he may be considered a secret weapon. He ...he continued by saying, "We might have a Governor that surprises everyone!" <---I said HOLY SHIT! I think he just let the cat out of the bag.

Now many people on DU and other places may not give him much credence right now. But the dude seems to be a star in his party as a Governor. He proposed the same measures---or similar measures as Walker but doesn't seem to face the same recriminations. As a matter of fact, people support him. And he may not be saying anything now but he could come in there and do an upset.

I think we should be keeping watch. Many of us are mocking some of the weaker clowns like Trump, Walker, Palin, Santorum, Bachmann, and so on...

I see to keep him as a possibility just in case. This may be needless worry. And he might not get there and who knows---he could be groomed for 2016 (and we can start worrying about him in 2014. But as of right now, I say put him on the tentative list because there is some loud rattling around the guy.


Here's the link to the ep: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#42541053

Check out this video: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#42541227 <---Former Repub Governor eluded to him as well.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Campaign song suggestion: "Roll out the Barrel"

[monmouth]

2. Bwahahaha....Not in a million years could I top that ! Excellent...n/t

[jefferson_dem]

3. Ha. Instant classic.

If/When he does run, he'll initiate an effort to defuse this rather hefty image issue. Not sure it will work. I mean, he's *really* big. It's distracting.

[PatSeg]

25. It is distracting

He is not overweight, he is obese. Makes me uncomfortable watching him, as I'm concerned that he'll have a heart attack any minute.

[tallahasseedem]

4. He's no joke...

and he could win this thing.

[vaberella]

9. How scared are you of that possibility?

I'm terrified. He'll bring in all the nutcases with him.

[tallahasseedem]

22. Seriously scared...

he seems like a very reasonable alternative to the other nutjobs in the arena. I'm constantly amazed how people around here in Jersey can take this jack ass seriously.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

29. The guy is a blow hard - he's got no chance.

[daa]

20. Too fat to win nt

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. I'm not surprised

Good Morning America did a "puff piece" on him and his family last fall and asked him (and one of his daughters) about running for POTUS though they remained mum on the issue. I think that some in the Republican Party are seeing the current crop of potential GOP candidates and starting to worry about their prospects for beating Obama in 2012 and trying to figure out some "saner" candidates to run. I read an article in the Indianapolis Star just this past week urging Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to run and I believe that Joe Klein (or somebody else) was urging him and/or Jeb Bush (:puke:) to run in 2012 as well. I guess Matthews believes that Christie would make for a "saner" GOP candidate as well? I don't know a whole lot about him other than he, like Daniels was a former member of the Bush (mis-)administration and Jeb, well, he IS a Bush. If I had to worry about any of them, I'd probably worry the most about Daniels in the GE, particularly since he is from the midwest, has a fairly decent record as Indiana Governor, is fairly moderate, and is not heavy (and somewhat progressive) on social issues, though his lack of zeal in tackling divisive social issues would probably doom him in the Republican primary if the teabaggers continue to influence the agenda like they have.

[monmouth]

6. Could be a diversion to make us look away from Trump, Bachmann and

make us think repubs actually have a viable candidate... I truly doubt he will be a candidate...

[vaberella]

8. After Trump, Santorum, Gingrich...I doubt nothing. People even say Bush. n/t

[DrDan]

7. a few short months ago, there were some here who said there was no way Rand Paul could beat a Dem

It is not how his message resonates at DU. It's how many R's align to it. As well as homeless, frustrated indies.

I think he is carrying a big voice right now. Sounds much more mainstream than the other candidates.

[vaberella]

10. A big voice that sounds like Walker---but isn't as scrutinized. It's scary. n/t

[RBInMaine]

31. That was just Kentucky in a wave election. 2012 national is bigtime different.

[karynnj]

11. Some thoughts

I don't think it was me you "talked with" - as I never said that. Christie ran as a moderate in the NJ primaries and was so vague about what he would do as governor that the republican leaning paper in my republican county criticized him for it. He won in what was a perfect storm. The Democratic governor who was extremely unpopular ran an intentionally mean spirited campaign - in a state that contrary to its reputation really does not that. There was a third party candidate, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Daggett ,who the Sierra Club and many environmental groups supported. The Newark Star Ledger, which usually endorses Democrats endorsed him.

I phone banked and the reason Corzine lost was that the DEMOCRATS I called were reluctant to vote for him. I think had someone like Codey run, it would have been an easy Democratic victory.


I would not be surprised that Christie, for all his colorful denials, might go for it. He is in a weird position. He is the toast of part of the Republican party now, but he could very easily lose the Governorship in 2013 - maybe to Corey Booker. In 2006, Obama decided to jump in realizing that this could be his time and waiting until 2016 might mean no longer being seen as a shooting star. In Obama's case, he at least would have the luxury of a stable seat in the Senate, where re-election would likely be easy. Christie, if he does not run in 2012, faces what Romney faced - having to decide whether it is better not to run for re-election or risk defeat.

If he does run, suddenly the idea of who you would rather have a beer with will likely NEVER be raised. He is an obnoxious bully.

[vaberella]

12. Yeah...I wasn't too sure. I thought it might be you...but I guess I was wrong.

He sounds like an obnoxious bully. Thanks Karynnj. Why did I think it was you? I think it was the NJ.

[karynnj]

15. and because I was in many of those threads

No problem - just thought I should give the opinion I have - and there are many opinions of what happened that caused him to win. The sad thing was that the NJ governorship was not an inevitable loss for the Democrats - like some positions were.

One thing that I want to look into as more time passes, is how MA and NY do versus NJ do economically. The three states have a huge amount in common - both have a lot of technology companies, high levels of education, many people in financial jobs, and they are among the richest states. It will be interesting to see if the three states recover at different rates - and whether there are differences in the security net issues or in crime (in NJ some of the poorest, most crime ridden cities have drastically cut the police force.

The NYT magazine did a hugh - mostly puff piece - cover story on him relatively recently - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/magazine/27christie-t.html

[JustAnotherGen]

28. Great analysis Karen

And I neveeeeeeeeer get polled. Never ever. And I agree on the Booker thing . . . I think he KNOWS he would lose to Booker. So what's a jolly old bully to do in NJ?

[southernyankeebelle]

13. Gee another hugh ego who loves himself.

[vaberella]

14. ! n/t

[Renew Deal]

17. This is HUGH!!!!

:rofl:

[Renew Deal]

16. He wouldn't even win his home state.

But he might be palatable (no pun intended) to some republicans.

[bigdarryl]

18. Yep I live hear in NJ and his unfavorables are higher than his favorables

but the media won't tell you that

[vaberella]

19. No, they certainly don't. n/t

[former9thward]

21. Are you doing your own polling "hear" in New Jersey?

Other polling shows he is doing ok. http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2011/03/christies_poll_numbers_go_up_a.html

[flamingdem]

23. This guy is a schmuk. Imagine having to listen to his tripe for 4 years, barf nt

[AtomicKitten]

24. Christie: "I'm not ready to be president."

---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KakXZiRvchs

Cue the commercials with Christie slamming Christie's preparedness for the top job.

[calimary]

26. You make a good point, vaberella. This guy needs to be watched.

Don't get complacent because the republi-CONS have little but a ship of fools. That's only for NOW. We'll all be sweating like crazy a year from now.

CONSTANT VIGILANCE! We need to do the oppositional research NOW. And watch closely for ANY slip-ups. It'd be nice to get this guy defanged before he has a chance to bite anybody.

[vaberella]

33. Exactly what I was thinking. n/t

[Marsala]

27. Wishful thinking by Republican insiders

They hate the current Republican field - as well they should - and so they've been pushing Christie, Daniels and even Jeb Bush. Most likely none of them will run.

[vaberella]

34. We don't know that. I didn't believe Bachmann was gonna run.

But it looks like she will. Don't sit back and dismiss this; that has been seen to hurt us Dems before.

[RBInMaine]

30. He's an arrogant shit-mouthed fucking pig, and Obama would destroy him.

[polichick]

32. Hey, don't insult pigs! (Otherwise, I agree.)

[and-justice-for-all]

35. "Trump, Walker, Palin, Santorum, Bachmann,..."

That is a lot of dumb.