Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

JustAnotherGen

(31,681 posts)
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:01 AM Aug 2013

I'm beginning to think Dems outside of NJ are all about Christie

I know we don't have a lot of activity back here - but if Democratic Underground - with highly aware Liberals and Progressives are so about Christie and willing to give him a free pass - no wonder the national Democratic Leadership thinks they can get away with ignoring this election.

There is nothing Walker did, says, believes that Chris Christie doesn't.

So why do you guys think they are so willing and ready to say "But he did one good thing once so he's unstoppable."

If he is the 2016 anointed one - does this mean we are now in play as a battleground state?

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I'm beginning to think Dems outside of NJ are all about Christie (Original Post) JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 OP
I think people don't know enough about him--when they learn more about him, that MADem Aug 2013 #1
It took a hurricane JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #3
How can democrats forget what he did to the pensions and benefits of the unions no_hypocrisy Aug 2013 #2
All I can think is JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #5
Let's not forget scuttling a major infrastructure project... JHB Aug 2013 #15
You guys? pscot Aug 2013 #4
Stay on point JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #7
I see Christie has 20 point lead over Buono pscot Aug 2013 #10
Yep JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #12
Well, we're all contributors in that sense pscot Aug 2013 #13
Ultimately running for president, Christie will go hard right if he's reelected. Zen Democrat Aug 2013 #6
Amen JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #8
he's a republican through and through rurallib Aug 2013 #9
Free Pass ??? SamKnause Aug 2013 #11
The only silver lining is that he has zero chance in 2016. Jim Lane Aug 2013 #14
my fear is that he will bring republicans with him into the legislature hollysmom Sep 2013 #16

MADem

(135,425 posts)
1. I think people don't know enough about him--when they learn more about him, that
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:09 AM
Aug 2013

"straight-shooting, tough-talking, regular guy" persona might fade away. His "charm" (and I use the word advisedly) comes from his 'guy next door' attitude that he projects when he's talking to Oprah and other interviewers.

He can get pissy and mean though--if people see a bit more of that, they might not be so charmed.

Those of you who live in NJ see the guy every day--to the rest of America, though, he's a "character" who is a Republican but one who didn't act snotty to Obama, and he likes Springsteen (which is apparently VERY important to some people, for reasons that escape me--I mean, I like BBKing, but I don't base my electoral decisions on whether or not the candidates I support like him as well)!

JustAnotherGen

(31,681 posts)
3. It took a hurricane
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:14 AM
Aug 2013

For Springsteen to agree to meet him. I hope he does something for Buono. Even a strong statement regarding who he is voting for would nip that in the bud.

no_hypocrisy

(45,771 posts)
2. How can democrats forget what he did to the pensions and benefits of the unions
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:10 AM
Aug 2013

(Teachers, Police, Fire Fighters)?

And you can bet that neither democrat nor republican is voting for the candidate for Lieutenant Governor who will assume stewardship of this state when Christie has to resign to run for president. Bait and switch.

JustAnotherGen

(31,681 posts)
5. All I can think is
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:16 AM
Aug 2013

They are falling for the Koch Brothers and 1%'s nonsense? Seriously - I can't ignore those things - can you? We have good friends in each of those professions - it is horrible what this man is doing.

JHB

(37,128 posts)
15. Let's not forget scuttling a major infrastructure project...
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 01:23 PM
Aug 2013

...in order to play to the wants of NJ's Teabaggers.


If you find yourself in a stopped train in a Hudson River tunnel, or in a vehicle on a choked highway, in coming years, at least you will know why. In his drive to become the darling of the cut-costs-at-all-costs Republican crowd, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey ignored real economic analysis and relied on exaggerated worst-case scenarios to kill the largest public transit project in the nation in 2010.

The project, two new rail passages under the Hudson River, would have vastly improved the region’s economy, the environment and the lives of millions of commuters. The federal government and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey were providing most of the $10 billion needed to build the tunnels. But Mr. Christie said they were going to cost a lot more than that and that New Jersey would be on “a never-ending hook.”

Now, a report from the Government Accountability Office makes it clear that the cost-cutting talk was political bluster. Mr. Christie estimated that the project could cost more than $14 billion, of which New Jersey would have had to pay 70 percent if you counted federal stimulus dollars and Port Authority money. The report said later federal estimates ranged from $9.8 billion to $12.4 billion and that the state’s real share was 14.4 percent. The benefits would have been huge. Today, traffic moves under the Hudson River through two 100-year-old tunnels that are nearly at capacity at peak travel times. With projections that transit demands in this area will increase 38 percent by 2030, the new tunnels would have allowed twice as many trains during rush hour, 48 per hour instead of 23.

The report, which Mr. Christie continues to dispute, cited estimates that home values and tax revenues would have risen, and that the construction would have added $9 billion to the regional economy. But Mr. Christie wanted to use the tunnel money to avoid adding a few cents to the state’s gasoline tax, the nation’s second lowest. He was thinking about his career, not his constituents.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/13/opinion/gov-chris-christie-and-the-tunnel-project.html?_r=0

pscot

(21,023 posts)
4. You guys?
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:15 AM
Aug 2013

How about some slack. Sure, some folks will follow anyone who makes a lot of noise and seems self-assured. You can't lump us all in with a handful of nitwits.

JustAnotherGen

(31,681 posts)
7. Stay on point
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:23 AM
Aug 2013

What can you do to help us? We need your help - because obviously you are not one of the star struck. Do you think the failure in Wisconsin in regards to Walker makes liberals and progressives afraid to lose in a Blue State?

They aren't nitwits - they are people that have been filled with passion for progressive values yet they refuse to see that we have an almost perfect liberal and progressive running in this race.

If i come across as not being nice about it - we'll . . . I can't apologize.

It's my $7896 in yearly property taxes in addition to STATE income taxes in play. I pay that money for a certain level of public good and public services yet this fool took Sandy money from the Fed and used it for a 2016 Presidential commercial and 2013 Gubernatorial election.

As far as I'm concerned - we are in General Election, the beaches close on Labor Day - no more Stronger than the Storm.

pscot

(21,023 posts)
10. I see Christie has 20 point lead over Buono
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:47 AM
Aug 2013

and apparently has 20x the amount of cash on hand. It seems like you folks have your work cut out for you. I sympathize with you, but my meager resources won't stretch that far. I can see what makes Christie attractive to people without strongly held political views. He's forceful and dynamic and has the Common Touch, and that blinds some to his darker qualities. I wish you well in the effort to unseat him.

JustAnotherGen

(31,681 posts)
12. Yep
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 12:02 PM
Aug 2013

Not long ago that was 30% - without cash or calls or anything at all from the Democratic party.

And I'm sorry - but you did give to his campaign. Federal Funds are paying for his Stronger Than The Storm campaign slogan.

Zen Democrat

(5,901 posts)
6. Ultimately running for president, Christie will go hard right if he's reelected.
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:23 AM
Aug 2013

He has to have red meat for the conservative mad dogs. NJ Dems would make a HUGE mistake to keep this guy around. He's a true believer in the Corporate State.

rurallib

(62,342 posts)
9. he's a republican through and through
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 11:25 AM
Aug 2013

the media has put lipstick on him and called him a darling, but he is a greedy, union busting, school closing, nasty republican through and through.

Just like McCain. The media painted him up also. "Mavericky" they said he was. But scratch him and he was a republican through and through.

I find it amazing that so many jersians vote for this facade. I guess they like rude jerks who take food out of the mouths of kids.

 

Jim Lane

(11,175 posts)
14. The only silver lining is that he has zero chance in 2016.
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 01:12 PM
Aug 2013

Let's see, a Republican who's a former U.S. attorney, who was then elected to an executive position in a blue state, who has a well-crafted media image as a take-charge guy, and who is not a complete RWNJ on some of the social issues -- and who asks the Republican Party's conservative base to overlook their dislike of some of his more moderate positions, and to nominate him because he can win in November.

Why does all of this sound familiar?

It's because that was essentially Giuliani's playbook. In 2007, some commentators thought he was the front-runner for the nomination. Instead, he crashed and burned, proving to be much more popular among the commentariat than among the Republican rank and file.

Nor will the right-wing base be any more forgiving this time. Twice in a row, the Republicans have run a Presidential candidate who was identified with the party's more centrist wing, who was denounced by the base as a RINO, and who was touted as being the most electable. Twice in row, the supposedly more electable candidate has lost. The centrists' position has been undercut. The 2008 and 2012 results have strengthened the position of those who think that the Republican Party's problem has been that it hasn't run a genuine conservative, and that a Palin-Cruz ticket would storm to victory.

Yes, Christie will tack hard right if he decides to seek the nomination, but the conservative base will point out that Romney did the same.

My prediction: If Christie runs, he'll get clobbered. Withdrawal by the end of March.

hollysmom

(5,946 posts)
16. my fear is that he will bring republicans with him into the legislature
Sun Sep 8, 2013, 11:33 PM
Sep 2013

then we will truly be screwed - still Buono is running a sucky campaign, I volunteered to work again and still have received no answer, guess she does not want to have a staff.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»New Jersey»I'm beginning to think De...