Our esteemed Governor here in New Jersey
This
week, there have been two notable incidents, both illustrating his well-publicized
short temper.
Of
course, whether this is really his temper, or whether perhaps it amounts to
more posing with aims for more publicity for his political ambitions on the
national level, is less clear. This is a governor who clearly enjoys the
spotlight. Many have been giving it to him, for that matter.
Now,
you might not think that someone noted for some of the incidents that Governor
Christie has gotten himself involved with would still even be a viable
candidate in his own state, let alone on the national level. Yet, somehow, in
these unusual, perhaps even unstable times, his temper tantrums have become
phenomenally popular, and propelled him into national prominence, to the point
where he is being asked if he has any ambitions for the White House. Some are
vocal supporters of this notion, such as former comedian and current FOX News
personality Dennis Miller.
Yup,
that essentially means that showing a prominent display of anger and trying to
intimidate others publicly with a big physique and an even bigger, loud mouth
has become politically profitable.
As
if New Jersey
He
has become a polarizing figure. Sure, some praise him. But there are others who
scorn him.
Last
year, following the hurricane in which New Jersey
declared a State of Emergency Garden State
"Governor Christie didn't mind
too much that the house was destroyed. It was uninsured. But what really troubled
him was his entire library was destroyed, both books. And he wasn't finished
coloring one of them."
And
Arlen Specter is a fellow Republican!
Now,
why can't we get someone to knock on Christie's idiocy as effectively right
here in New Jersey
Just
a few weeks ago, it was announced the Governor Christie is enjoying very high
approval ratings. The man who has made more of a mockery of the political
process than almost anyone else – and that's saying a lot! – is enjoying his
shining moment in the sun. Instead of being an aberration or a flash in the
pan, there is talk of his staying power, and even of his real chances at
national prominence, possibly being a Vice-Presidential candidate in this
year's election (some were urging him to outright run for President), and
ultimately, perhaps making a White House bid on his own in the relatively near
future – presumably in 2016, one might assume.
It
all seems so very odd, though. One of Governor Christie's very first acts as
governor was to announce that 10,000 teachers across the state would lose their
jobs. But he was only warming up at that point. In 2010, Christie announced a
reform package that threatened to severely limit the benefits of public
employees. Teachers and other government workers would see their pay slashed by
seven percent, and the police and firefighters would see a four percent
reduction over the space of several years. Even retirees were not safe. Christie
also presided over layoffs throughout the state early in 2011 for police and
firefighters, although he blamed unions. He later threatened the stability of
the police and fire departments of the state, threatening benefits, which in
turn, caused police and firefighters to take to the streets and march in
protest of the governor. Christie also was a vocal supporter of Wisconsin
Governor Walker's attacks on the union, thus inciting further protest here in
the Garden State
All
of that, while he has made a name for himself, projecting himself as a tough
guy, a politician with an attitude, with bite. He seems to be going for a
fighter spirit, a good old boy with common sense who tries to force elitist
and/or intellectual liberals to face the facts of the budget crises throughout
states across the country, to say nothing of the national government.
Some are claiming that he is a breath
of fresh air. But it seems that it is the same old same old, in new packaging.
What Christie really promotes, despite his tough guy rhetoric that is supposed
to relate to the every man, is ultimately an agenda that benefits the elite.
Nothing new there.
He
had a busy week this past week, announcing an emergency gathering at the New Jersey
Christie
has not been shy about another thing, either, and that would be going across
the country and making sure there is plenty of press on his national campaign
for increased recognition. That was apparently a brilliant move, and it has
worked out for him incredibly well. He has become, indeed, a nationally known
figure, and an apparently promising prospect for the GOP in the future.
Whether
or not he deserves to be? Well, the jury's still out on that. Not all of us are
as easily impressed with him as his vocal supporters tend to be, and long for
the days when there used to still be at least a scrap of dignity and respect in
how a prominent, publicly elected official handles himself in given situations.
That seems largely absent with this governor, and this hardly seems likely to
change.
Below
are some links to Arlen Specter's "comedy routine". If you are
familiar with some of the politicians in his repertoire, it should provide some
good amusement. He really was pretty funny!
Here are some
additional links regarding Governor Christie – particularly his political
stance:
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