USA TODAY International Edition
IS CHRISTIE RIGHT ENOUGH?
He won re- election in New Jersey, but Tea Party Republicans are wary
Cal Thomas is a conservative columnist. Bob Beckel is a liberal Democratic strategist. But as longtime friends, they can often find common ground on issues that lawmakers in Washington cannot.
Today: Gov. Chris Christie
CAL: I can remember a time after a Republican won an election, other Republicans rejoiced. In the case of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, even though he won 60.5% of the vote that included many Democrats, a majority of women and even 51% of Hispanics, the knives are already out for him. And they are not only knives held by Democrats. Tea Party Republicans are approaching Christie like a Thanksgiving turkey, ready to carve him up.
BOB: Which is just what the Tea Party activists want to do because Christie is their biggest nightmare. Although he is conservative, Christie has been willing to work with Democrats, unions, minorities and others who don’t agree with his policies in order to get things done. Christie is actually willing to compromise to find solutions! No wonder the Tea Party wants his head.
CAL: Looking for purity may be a good thing when it comes to bottled water, but Republicans need both wings of their party or they lose. They should remind themselves how it felt when they were in the minority in the House of Representatives for 40 years. Ronald Reagan put the economic and social wings of his party together and Republicans started winning elections.
BOB: How would you advise Christie should he run for president in 2016?
CAL: I would have him build on the foundation he has already established in New Jersey: Focus on what works, instead of the same sound bites we’ve heard over and over again. People outside Washington hate the posturing and political games. They are sending increasing amounts of money they earn to Washington where they see much of it wasted. Christie should introduce the country to projects and programs that are getting results in his state and that could translate to the rest of the country. He’s also right about “showing up” in minority neigh- borhoods ( and not just close to an election). Republicans have mostly been terrible at this.
BOB: Good advice. We should point out that while Christie was getting 60% of the vote last Tuesday, the Tea Party candidate for governor in Virginia was defeated in a race Republicans should have won. What about taxes? Christie hasn’t cut them, and a lot of Tea Partiers are upset.
CAL: There were other issues in Virginia, but that’s history. Christie is attacking the right beast first by cutting spending. That’s where the real problem lies, whether it is in Trenton or Washington. Less spending means less need for taxes, and then they can be cut. Christie has closed loopholes, and New Jersey property taxes remain high, but I predict he will cut some taxes early in his second term to deny opponents that issue.
BOB: Should Christie seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, his positions on volatile social issues like abortion and gay rights, including same- sex marriage, will not sit well with most Republicans, especially right- wing Tea Partiers. Remember the first three states in the nominating process are Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, where these social issues are big factors.
CAL: Christie didn’t endear himself to social conservatives when he dropped an appeal of a lower court decision allowing same- sex marriage in New Jersey, but that is an issue states should decide. On abortion, he has been staunchly and openly pro- life. He should start talking up the many pregnancy help centers across the country, which give compassionate care to women with unexpected pregnancies, including after the child is born. As a policy matter, he could advocate mandatory sonograms. Statistics vary, but high percentages of abortion- minded women choose to give their babies life when they see a picture.
BOB: What about the argument from the left that you are suggesting women aren’t smart enough to make their own choices?
CAL: We have truth- in- labeling and truth- in- lending laws. We have mandatory stickers on cars at dealerships. This is simply providing information to women, not depriving them of choice. More information “empowers” women. I trust women to make the right choice for themselves and their baby when they are fully informed.
BOB: What about same- sex marriage?
CAL: I would advise him to start a campaign to first keep opposite- sex marriages together. Divorce is wrecking families. Maybe he could name TV’s Dr. Phil McGraw undersecretary for strong marriages! As a political pro, what advice would you give Christie, especially if he’s up against Hillary Clinton?
BOB: If Hillary runs, she will be the heavy favorite for the Democratic nomination. Like her husband, she will run as a centrist. The left- wing members of my party won’t like it, but I think they will give her a pass. Not so Christie from the Republican right, but he can’t run as a rightwinger to get his party’s nomination. If he did, he would badly hurt his image as a centrist. Elections for president in the U. S. are won in the middle, rarely on the wings.
CAL: There’s something else Christie needs to do. In addition to dropping his weight, which is coming down, he should turn down his wattage a tad. People want a strong president, but quiet strength is sometimes preferable to brashness. Voters will want to know if he has self- control.
BOB: Good point on turning down the wattage. It’s tough for politicians to change their demeanor, especially in Christie’s case since his “in your face” style is what made him successful. Most voters only see presidential candidates on TV, which is a cool medium, but Chris Christie is the opposite of a cool candidate. Is he too hot for TV? That’s a big question. TV can make or break you.