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Mann Acts
September 14, 2011 | 72 comments
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Suing NASA and UVA
August 19, 2011 | 58 comments
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Facts on Frack Attackers
August 3, 2011 | 71 comments
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Indefensible
July 27, 2011 | 59 comments
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Inhibiting an Oil and Gas Boom
July 22, 2011 | 81 comments
Political Hay
Christie’s Blind Spot
Could they be sun spots?
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has certainly been a wonderful rhetorical revelation for conservatives, tailor-made for YouTube. He backs a cap on property tax increases — rah! He wants teachers to contribute to their own health insurance plans like most of the rest of us — yeah! He confronts liberal hecklers and wants to unite the country — all riiight!!
And he believes that humans cause global warming; that government should subsidize failed industries such as wind energy and solar energy; and that government should mandate that utilities generate a minimum percentage of the power from expensive “renewables” — uhhh…
He looked so promising, too.
Why has the Garden State governor detoured so far from conservative principle when it comes to energy and environment policy? Why has this seemingly perceptive politician failed to understand that there is widespread disagreement, rather than consensus, within science over future catastrophic global warming?
It’s not like Christie is a total loss on the issue. He did, after all, remove New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the cap-and-tax agreement among 10 (nine after New Jersey’s gone) Northeastern states. That was praiseworthy. He even said the right thing in doing so: “It’s a failure. RGGI has not changed behavior and it does not reduce emissions.”
But disappointingly, his other rhetoric and actions indicate he is more aligned with, as the Washington Times calls them, “business-oriented Republicans who say power should be used to correct markets and support key industries,” as opposed to “free-market conservatives who argue that government can’t pick winners and losers.”
For example, in April 2010 Christie sounded positively Obama-ish when he visited Petra, a New Jersey solar panel manufacturer. He called solar energy “the next frontier” and announced, “We want to be part of it.” Then he — ironically and hypocritically — said, “What the government needs to do is stay the hell out of the way. We want to make it easier to do business in New Jersey.” How does he not understand that the only way solar survives is if government stays the hell in the way?
Then last August Christie signed the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act, which he lauded as “a strong commitment to utilizing energy as industry in our efforts to make our State a home for growth, as well as a national leader in the wind power movement.” The law requires that a minimum of 1,100 watts of electricity be generated from offshore turbines, and dedicates taxpayer dollars to “qualified” wind-related projects, manufacturers and assemblers. And this is any better than staying in RGGI how?
Finally, last week Christie released his “Energy Master Plan” (Hey Republicans: A government “master plan” for anything that should be handled in the private sector is never a good thing), which included leaving a Renewable Energy Mandate in place of 22.5 percent by the year 2021. He lowered the target from the Corzine era’s 30 percent, but how did Christie get so smart as to calculate that exactly 22 and one-half percent is the precise amount of renewable energy needed to sufficiently fight global warming in New Jersey?
And then there is this cringe-worthy statement:
This plan represents my Administration’s commitment to changing the way we produce, distribute and use energy as part of a broader emphasis on renewable sources of energy and economic growth.
The EMP supports the development of new energy-related technologies such as fuel cells, off shore wind, and alternatively fueled vehicles while encouraging the developers, providers and support businesses related to these technologies, to locate here in New Jersey.
With comments like that, Christie is more suited to join President Obama and Vice President Biden on their Green Jobs Stimulus Celebration Tour rather than to help campaign for fellow Republicans.
But this should not have surprised. During his gubernatorial campaign he spoke favorably about renewable energy subsidies, and even committed to principles of “global warming justice” and “say[ing] no to coal.”
Fearless talk radio leader Rush Limbaugh proclaimed last week that Mitt Romney can kiss the Republican presidential nomination “bye-bye” thanks to his views on anthropogenic global warming. Christie insists he won’t run in 2012, but what about higher political aspirations in the future?
Without a Pawlenty-like mea culpa, and after a few more years of exposing the global warming hoax, it will be D.O.A. for the undiscerning Christie as well.
About the Author
Paul Chesser is executive director for the American Tradition Institute and a senior fellow for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. The views he expresses do not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations.
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Dagny Taggert| 6.15.11 @ 6:41AM
Damn. But as I argue with my libby friends (which is a small minority, since most libs I know shy away from substantive discussion as they are wholly unprepared to logically defend their point of view), time is on the side of the deniers. Every tick of the clock without doomsday showing, or a short-term cooling trend appearing loses one more member in the church of AGW.
Well, CC is too fat to win anyway, right? This takes him off my list. BUT, perhaps he too will change over time. RGGI is a good first step. Maybe when he sees the solar giveaways prove unsustainable, he'll come around. I know the $20 million here in Mass that Deval Patrick burned through with Evergreen solar in a couple quick years will make these bums think twice.
Dan Hirsch| 6.15.11 @ 9:03AM
Just because a governor has enough common sense to try to balance his state's budget does NOT mean he's conservative. E.G. Chris Christie...Next?
NJConservative| 6.15.11 @ 2:11PM
Is a budget really balanced when obligations such as a $2.5B pension payment are not made?
NJConservative| 6.15.11 @ 2:10PM
Christie only pulled out of RGGI after a year of pressure from Americans for Prosperity. Does he get credit? Sure. But it also needs to be put in context.
Alan Brooks| 6.15.11 @ 3:57PM
Humans do cause global warming albeit volcanoes alone cause much more.
Whatever the future holds, Christie is the best you've got thus he cannot be president; in today's celebrity-politics world Angelina Jolie would have a better chance to be POTUS than Christie-- and I don't mean Christie Brinkley!
Alan Brooks| 6.15.11 @ 7:48PM
This is our culture:
trash-culture at the bottom,
celebrity-culture at the top
Cosmo| 6.16.11 @ 2:35AM
It would be cool if Trump would run as a Democrat...Imagine the debates with OBummer
Appleby| 6.15.11 @ 7:23AM
The government of the Province of Ontario has sent out a booklet (at taxpayer expense) to every household in the Province, explaining that because of our *investment* in Green Energy (mainly with Samsung of Korea), our electricity bills will be rising by 46% in the next 5 years. We have an election in September. Perhaps Mr. Christie should take the time to see how that plays out, and think again.
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 6.15.11 @ 8:13AM
Ann Coulter's heart is broken now!!
The guy's smart, he'll come around and kick this AGW habit of his, I'm sure of it, he's just got to freeze his ass off for one or two more winters, and then he'll get it. But as long as he does believe this crap, do us all a favor and stay in Jersey and fight the Teacher's Union instead. The World's not warming up Chris, you're overweight, and that's why you feel hot (lose some weight, and you'll feel much better)!! Put down the donut, and step away from the table!!
ggarbo| 6.15.11 @ 10:38AM
totally agree with you on Ann Coulters heart being broken...did you see her on Fox lastnite as she spoke her bit about him? I usually like her but now ? Am heartbroken she doesn't see the light..
CC scares me.....and yeah, lose some weight for gawds sake!
Alky| 6.15.11 @ 12:03PM
Mr. Christie.....
*Supports Green Energy, Cap & Trade.
*Refuses to support states lawsuit against Obamacare.
*Opposes the AZ immigration law.
*Supports a clear path to legalization.
*Favors gun control
*Strongly supported Clinton Gun Ban
*He opposes attempts to permit conceal and carry laws in New Jersey
*Refuses to take a side on the Ground Zero Mosque.
Maxwell| 6.15.11 @ 8:23AM
Have been saying this a LONG time American Spectator. Where has everyone been? Chris Christie is for open borders, was for climate change before he was against it, will not appoint real judges (Mike Carroll who he wanted to appoint but caved in less than a week) and is VERY ANTI gun. As I say, open a can of North East Republican and out comes a Democrat.
WJ| 6.15.11 @ 8:32AM
As stated, it is about time that someone stated the obvious, he is an open borders, borders. He firmly believes in amnesty for illegals.
He talks tough to reporters and he is really fat. It is hard not to like him for those reasons but in reality he is a liberal.
Dan Hirsch| 6.15.11 @ 9:01AM
Maxwell,
He really isn't as pretty as he looks, is he?
I know of one candidate who is, though. Right now, she's wisely sitting on the sidelines, keeping them guessing and her powder dry. This contest has a long way to go.
Why isn't anyone talking about Hillary forcing a primary for the Dem's? We should start banging that drum -the main stream might spend a little time on it and our little President would have to spend some of his capital defending his throne.
It would be very entertaining....
TrueBlue| 6.15.11 @ 11:51AM
Unfortunately the dems are all cultists in the religion of "liberalism". Nobody would ever believe such a thing, the Obamassiah cannot be wrong!
Bob| 6.15.11 @ 9:22AM
Well now, first Romney now Christie, you Republicans are beginning to see the light as it were. Liberalism is the best policy. To bad the governor wasn't in NH he would of added a lot of heft to the debate in more ways than one.
Doctor Right| 6.15.11 @ 9:27AM
The REAL Conservative in 2009's Gubernatorial race in New Jersey was Steve Lonegan. Lonegan supporters – myself, included – always knew that Christie was lightweight on issues that are near and dear to Conservatives.
But...this is New Jersey.
Christie is a good Governor for New Jersey...But that's about it.
Diana| 6.15.11 @ 9:33AM
Lightweight? Not when he steps on the scale. That man is so fat and getting fatter.
Ricco| 6.15.11 @ 9:28AM
Great. Because Gov Christie does not adhere to Paul Chesser version of total Conservative othodoxy "Christie is more suited to join President Obama and Vice President Biden."
Gee, thanks for being in the lead to have NJ vote him out of office.
Doctor Right| 6.15.11 @ 10:36AM
"Total Conservative orthodoxy"???
WTH are you talking about??
Christie's problem is NOT that he's not an "orthodox" Conservative, it's that he's a typical Northeastern establishment Republican who happens to have taken a tough line on spending (Gee...how brave is that?).
Orthodox?? He's not even close. If he was only 50% orthodox, that'd be a 100% improvement.
crookedwren| 6.15.11 @ 9:52AM
While it's dismaying to hear that a good man has swallowed the "climate change" kool aid, we must face reality -- this hoax has been brewing and stewing a LONG time. To switch metaphors, we've all been exposed to liberal lies -- the left has owned the media and education for decades and decades -- so many of us are infected to one degree or another. Few of us have remained immune.
Could we PLEASE refrain from the fat attacks? That is the brand of the Huff Po and such.
Joe R| 6.15.11 @ 10:02AM
What has Christie done besides shout down a few teachers? The guy will be lucky to be re-elected governor of New Jersey in 2013. His poll numbers there are already tanking. Yet, the somebody else wing of the GOP keeps touting him as the party's savior. Please.
Donna| 6.15.11 @ 10:28AM
He is awfully arrogant for a fat man....The more I hear out of him the more I dislike him.....
Appleby| 6.15.11 @ 10:50AM
When I was a kid in New York, we used to taunt other kids by yelling "Hay, yer ugly and ya mutha dresses ya funny!"
It looks as if some people still haven't gone beyond that stage. Could we stop mocking the man because of his figure?
Mike C| 6.15.11 @ 10:31AM
You forgot the following:
1) He doesn't believe illegal aliens are here illegally, has hinted at supporting amnesty.
2) He supports Obamacare, NJ was one of the first states to line up at the federal trough for Obamacare $$$
3) Has consistently taken an anti-2nd amendment position, supporting the assault weapons ban, appointing anti-2nd amendment officials, and basically done nothing to change NJ's unconstitutional gun laws.
Those are just three I can think of off the top of my head. Christie is most definitely NOT a conservative.
vivian | 6.15.11 @ 12:39PM
CHRISTY is not the one I want as a true conservative President.
He has good points, but too many negatives.
cicero| 6.15.11 @ 11:09AM
Don't ya just love it! Everytime someone elects a governor that says one or two nice things, everybody wants to make them king or queen for the day. Remember Jennifer Granholm? They wanted to change the constitution when she got elected, so she could run for President. Now, she couldn't get elected to the local library board. Remenber Arnold Schwatzeneger? Of course you do. The conservative press still idealizes John Engler. He only rearranged the deck chairs on the SS Michigan. If you ran the numbers, he didn't really cut taxes, he only shifted them. Now he is gone, making a $million per year holding meetings for the chamber of commerce, telling one another how smart they all are, and figuring ways to get their hands on more of the taxpayers money.
None of the potential candidates are perfect. However, any of them are perferable to what we have in office now. I recommend that we go for the smartest person we can find, and put the effort in electing people to Congress that have more intelligence and character than the average turnip.
Jack in Wi.| 6.15.11 @ 11:38AM
I watched him a bit on CNN last night. He is an awful tub of lard. I don't think that would sell with the women's vote. He also is liberal on gun control, and the wacko green stuff. I don't want him you can have him. He's too fat for me. Remember that old song
Dai Alanye | 6.15.11 @ 11:41AM
Can't help saying, 'Toldja so!
Christie/Scott Brown/the Maine babes--must be something seeping in from the Atlantic.
Ann Coulter's backing for this guy resembles her brief pro-Hillary stance. She loves to put people on.
TrueBlue| 6.15.11 @ 11:56AM
Yea, it's called all the socialism garbage Europe has been throwing our way. We need better filters out there...
Noton Mywatch| 6.15.11 @ 11:51AM
Annie Culter..... are you listening....can you hear this at all????
California based companies are housing employees in New Jersey for the sole purpose of selling and installing solar panels. How can that be cost effective??? GOVERNMENT They can't stay in business in states that do not subsidize the purchase. Plane tickets are purchased, meals are paid for as is the housing just to suckle on the Christie nipple.
Annie... hello..... Annie what's in it for you???
You should be embarrassed Annie...
vivian | 6.15.11 @ 12:38PM
Ann Coulter is a true patriot. And no, Ann should not be embarassed.
Actually Obama and his ilk should be embarassed about what they have done to our wonderful country.
vivian | 6.15.11 @ 12:36PM
I like Christy for a number of reasons, but I also would like him not to run as our candiate for the republican party.
There is much about him I do not agree with...
too Moderate on too many issues.
Conservatives only 2012
Dennis| 6.15.11 @ 12:54PM
Once again, a so-called "conservative" candidate proves to be nothing than another RHINO...this is why I never jumped on ths "Draft Christie" movement...
YankeeShoujo| 6.15.11 @ 1:12PM
Annie Coulter is thinking primarily of winning, i.e. beating Obama first, then filling Congress with a super majority of real Conservatives. She also believes Christie can eventually be persuaded, via steady doses of facts and reality, to abandon his lefty kook leanings altogether. This is not a horrible strategy, but it's not likely to pan out the way she envisions.
ari-free| 6.15.11 @ 1:27PM
"How does he not understand that the only way solar survives is if government stays the hell in the way?"
This usually means don't punish business, don't make their life harder with more taxes/regulations but do give them special tax credits and subsidies. It is a corporatist policy.
Strudwick Wickerwire| 6.15.11 @ 1:57PM
Since I've had to cut-back on my cable TV programing, I'm taken to attempting to watching stuff I'd normally avoid. Saw the Piers Morgan Show was on, Chris Christie a guest, okaaay! That's when Piers asked the Governor, "Is Obama doing a good job." To my astounded surprise, Christie answered, "Yeah, he's doing a good job," as if everything is just peachy!!! Was he afraid to say NO! What else will scare him!
Chris Christie is off my RADAR, if he doesn't run, that's fine!!!
NJConservative| 6.15.11 @ 2:08PM
Actually, his so-called property tax cap has more holes than Swiss Cheese, too. Unfortunately, my state is still headed for the abyss despite Christie's rhetoric.
JWNJ| 6.15.11 @ 5:53PM
FYI - Real conservatives cannot get elected in New Jersey.
Dacron Mather| 6.16.11 @ 12:59AM
Why bother listening to Chesser when you can get your climate science advice from Anne Coulter and Rush, who long ago put aside the 'solar warming ' hoax in favor of the real culprits, benthic bacteria and underwater volcanoes.
To heck with the TINOS ( thermodynamicists in name only ) If leading solar physicists and astroturficists like Manuel Oliver and Lord Monckton are right, throwing Anne into an underwater volcano will put the kibosh on global warming from now til the cows come home from Armageddon.
weddingdresses | 6.16.11 @ 4:08AM
It's common knowledge that Lee was the superior general, ( forgiving his one blunder at Gettysburg. )
mark James| 6.16.11 @ 7:25PM
Lee and Grant were both idiots. Like most generals they were fighting with the last war's tactics. I could have beat them both with a 1,000 good guerilla fighters. By the time they formed up to take on my attack I'd be gone leaving hundreds of dead on their side.
JF| 6.16.11 @ 2:50PM
The irony of Christie's perspective is that New Jersey is one of the largest producers of chemicals that produce so-called greenhouse gasses. In effect, his advocacy of global warming will enable this administration to destroy the manufacturing base of his state. What is he thinking??????
Zilla | 6.17.11 @ 6:26AM
Christie is also a big ole islamocoddling dhimmi.
http://sultanknish.blogspot.co.....-ties.html
mnemos| 6.17.11 @ 5:00PM
This is over the top. I don't believe in the AGW stuff, but the power grid is part of our infrastructure and government planning on infrastructure is a legitimate government activity. I could make an argument that this will add extra capacity to the NJ grid and make them more prepared to react in the event of a breakthrough in these technologies. Not the strongest argument, but still not outrageous. And frankly, I don't see how he could get elected in NJ otherwise. Give him a break.
wholesale underwears | 6.19.11 @ 11:37PM
OKAY. I hope we can protect the environment. http://www.summeringbrands.com
Christian Louboutin | 6.23.11 @ 5:58AM
It's not like Christie is a total loss on the issue. He did, after all, remove New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Dried Fruits and Nuts | 10.9.11 @ 2:27AM
You so perfectly manipulate every position to be absolutely incorrect one hundred percent of the time.
dual saw | 10.19.11 @ 11:21PM
I don't much buy into the security through obscurity idea of "if the user doesn't need to crack it for reasons of choice
Aluminum Wallet | 10.27.11 @ 2:39AM
All it does is provide some free labour for the employer, which is a wholly undesirable end product.
Peanut Machine | 11.15.11 @ 9:17PM
The fact that these all work most of the time for a variety of voices with no training is remarkable.