Political Thought

I was sitting in my comfy chair (it’s more of a couch really), pondering politics (as is often the case), pipe in mouth, (it was actually a Blow Pop) when Governor Chris Christie of NJ popped into my head. Christie is a Republican governor in a blue state, that Tea Party Conservatives have yet to label a RINO (Republican In Name Only) which makes him a bit of an oddity in the party. Whether or not you agree with the governor you must admit that he is an executive that seems to be getting things done in the state of NJ by using his Bully Pulpit to its maximum value.

The National Republican party is in disarray. Its leading figures are a relic of the past, Newt Gingrich, executives that failed to ignite passion in the base in 2008, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, and a woman that 55% of the population is certain has some kind of mental deficiency, draw your own conclusion. Republicans are in need of a fresh face who can capitalize on Tea Party energy while not alienating people that do not identify with their radical philosophy.

It seems to me that someone will soon recruit Chris Christie to run as the 2012 Republican Nominee for President of the United States of America. The governor does have a few drawbacks, he’s been in office less than a year, he has every union the government touches ready to run him out of the state at the end of a pitch fork, and his demeanor, at least from what I have observed, is more akin to that of a porcupine than politician. That said, those drawbacks have all proven to be good things in the eyes of the Tea Party.

Christie is at the height of his popularity. He is riding a wave of anti-incumbent, anti-government, anti-everything that, in my humble opinion, should be cresting soon. He has stated more than once that he has no problems being a one term governor and it is my belief he will be, one way or another. By the time he goes up for re-election the new governor smell will have worn off. The population of the Garden State will see him as the man that eviscerated its ability to effectively govern on the issues of education, public safety, road maintenance, child protection, poverty relief, and a host of other areas (not that I have an opinion).

If Christie has national aspirations (and what governor does not) he needs to make big moves now, while the majority of New Jersey’s population still supports him. Republicans are looking to have a real chance against President Obama in 2012. Therefore, they need a candidate with recent work experience (FOX News commentator does not count) and a proven track record in places they tend to consistently not win.

If Christie is forced to resign his governorship as a result of overwhelming campaign responsibilities that is just something the state of New Jersey will have to deal with.