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
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16 comments:
You put it well in that last paragraph. Imagine what would happen if all of America finally saw the government as the victimizer. Unfortunately, I think there are still more people being bought out (becoming dependent)on government in these much tougher economic times.
It seems very conspiratorial to believe that the intention is to make people desperate enough to beg for a handout-
I hope next weekend's rally in DC helps change people from the inside out.
Cliff:
R U coming to town next weekend for the rally? If so, let me know. We are doing a blogger get together. I am going to the Ronald Reagan dinner the night before to see Herman Cain.
It is going to be a great weekend.
This is a hopeful sign, if a state as blue as New Jersey can see that big government ultimately hurts you when it becomes unsustainable, as it will.
I have said this before, I voted for the "conservative" one, and you actually got staunch conservative policies. Christie seems a little moderate on social issues, but hey, if he can get your state on track, who cares at this point?
Tough? Tough doesn't even begin to describe Chris Christie. He is conservative titanium with the tinsile strength of T1000G Toray carbon fiber (trust me, it doesn't break). The guy could eat charcoal and poop diamonds. Love him, he is a rock star and we need more people like him.
Can't wait till his gay scandal comes out.
not so much being tough, but having principals, not compromising them, not believing we have to get along and doing what is best for the people of New Jersey.
How long does the government think it can bully the taxpayer without consequences? No one is going to pay through the nose forever. Governor Christie must seem like a breath of fresh air.
Thanks to all of the folks in New Jersey! You have spine.
I hope other conservatives follow, but I have my doubts.
Paul Ryan put out his Roadmap for America a year ago. It is the functional national equivalent of the plan Cristie is following in NJ. Only about 14 Republican Congresscritters have signed on so far.
I wrote at some length on this issue in relation to Social Security the other day. It is clear Americans want to tackle the hard problems now - our back is against a wall of debt and payment is due on decades of free lunches. And yet we have Obama out hawking that Republicans want to destroy Social Security, trying to regain the traction the left managed on that issue 5 years ago. But while 2005 was only 5 calendar years ago, it might has well have been a century in terms of our national paradigm today. Christie gets it. Ryan gets it. What will it take to force Bohener and the rest of our Congresscritters to get it.
A leader doesn't shy away from the tough issues. Him side tracking about his thoughts on the mosque at Ground Zero made him look like a typical self preserving politician. I like Christy, but that wasn't a good moment for him.
Today's Wall Street Journal had a good article from Steve Malanga about state budget deficits and the shenanigans they played to hide them. In particular, the article cites New Jersey.
Like many other states, New Jersey issued debt to close a budget deficit, the equivalent of "borrowing on your credit card to pay off your mortgage."
New Jersey et al also borrowed money during the boom to avoid paying money into its underfunded pension system. The states claimed the returns on the investments would be stronger than the cost of funds. When the gains never materialized, the funds were left dismally short.
The SEC is suing some states for misstatements in their bond issuance.
Hello.
Christie is awesome.
That being said, the rest of my comment doesn't have to do with this particular story.
I read your "I'm sorry" blog - but I'm wondering, it seems like you're only blogging once a week now! I just was a little disappointed as I look forward to the few blogs I read every morning, when there's nothing new on here it gets discouraging. (and no offense, but deters people from checking your site altogether). Just my two cents....
So I dont know alot about Christie, from what I hear and read about him he seems like a good guy. But I have talked to a few New Jersey residents (I dont know their political leanings) who stated that their taxes have gone up, particularly property tax, which has doubled. One of their friends went from a 20k property tax bill to a 40k tax bill. And they attributed this raise to Christie. Not really knowing enough about the politics of NJ, I had nothing to say in response.
Where ya' been Clifton? Hoping you're on a much deserved vacation. :)
It looks as if New Jersey has finally picked a good Governor.
Please know that it is understood (I would think by the VAST majority) that you have a LIFE. Yes, posts are missed, but you won't hear me bemoan any absence. I understand LIFE BEYOND A BLOG.
Do just hope you are well.
Bz
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