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The Spectacle Blog
I am glad Jim Antle has drawn our attention to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s comments to Rich Lowry about his immediate political future. The long and short of which are Christie knows he could beat President Obama in 2012 but doesn’t think he’s ready for the job.
Now one could praise Christie for the kind of candor for which he has become so well known. Yet I think Christie unnecessarily backs himself into a corner. If in three months time, Christie decides to seek the GOP nomination then it will beg the question how in ninety days did he suddenly become ready for the highest office in the land. Now I’m sure if anyone could come up with a sound explanation for such an about face it would be Christie. Yet any Republican who wants to be President in 2012 would be daft not to pounce on Christie.
But let’s assume for a moment that Christie wins the Republican nomination despite this criticism. He might not be so fortunate in the general election. Instead of President Obama’s competence and performance being at issue the spotlight will shine brightest on Christie’s admitted lack of readiness. President Obama might be in over his head but he would never, ever under any circumstances admit to not being ready to be President of the United States. In fact, one could easily see Obama saying, “I was born ready.”
What troubles me most about Christie’s comments is that not only is he telling us he isn’t ready to be President of the United States but that he isn’t ready to stop Barack Obama from fundamentally transforming our country beyond recognition. If in his heart of hearts Christie knows he can defeat Obama in 2012 then it is his duty to do so. With the stakes being so high winning isn’t everything but it’s the only thing. But if Christie is in fact genuinely not ready for the Oval Office then he would have been wise to have kept that to himself.
View all comments (11) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/03/02/but-its-the-only-thing
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PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.2.11 @ 11:45AM
I can respect Christie for being honest. Obama wasn't ready, either. As long as the only thing that comes out of Christie's mouth continues to be the cold hard truth, then he will continue to be one of the very few politicians I admire.
Ryan| 3.2.11 @ 11:50AM
Then again, is anyone ever really ready for the Presidency?
Occam's Tool| 3.2.11 @ 8:23PM
George Washington. James K Polk. FDR. Richard M. Nixon. Teddy Roosevelt. Andrew Jackson. Ronaldus Magnus. Dwight Eisenhower. George HW Bush.
These guys were all ready for the Presidency.
Occam's Tool| 3.2.11 @ 8:26PM
It didn't mean that they all had great Presidencies---Obviously, Bush I and Nixon had major failures. I don't mention Lincoln, because he grew into it, although he had the steepest learning curve of any American President. But, for example, look at Polk. Accomplished ALL his campaign promises in one term, retired, and quickly died. One could argue that he knew it was going to be his last act.
simon templar| 3.2.11 @ 12:01PM
If he does run, you can bet that you will hear that comment on Democratic Party campaign ads ad nauseum. I think we all need to take a step back, stop the wishful thinking, and over exuberance. He may indeed be a very good candidate and President but let us not make the same mistake that many made with the current poser we have now. Let's vet this guy..take it slow and win some of the current battles we are fighting right now...keep focused and on the message.
Eric Damon| 3.2.11 @ 12:23PM
Maybe, just maybe, he knows himself better than Aaron does! Look, I admire the man for actually realizing that he has limitations and knowing that just because he could win an election doesn't mean that he should run. He does not owe it to this country to try to win a position that he understands that he is not exactly prepared for, even if he thinks he could win the race. This doesn't diminish his stature in my eyes, it makes me admire him even more; a politician that is not serving his own ego and ambitions is hard to find these days, and much to be admired when he is found.
MikeN| 3.2.11 @ 12:24PM
>If Christie knows he can defeat Obama in 2012 then it is his duty...
That only applies if he is the only such candidate. What makes him the only candidate is his honesty. Which now you criticize him for. What you are really saying with your implicit assumption is that the Republicans Party is so weak that only one candidate has a chance to defeat Obama.
Michael L. Hauschild| 3.2.11 @ 12:34PM
Christy could not win, not because he could not beat Obama, he could not win because he would not make it through the primaries; the Red States (as with Romney) would weed him out for his northwestern leanings. He IS Romney, but one that traded immaculate grooming for a sound bite. Look deeper and you will not find the Reaganesque presence or the timeless insight of a Reagan speech. While he is contemporary and though the hero of NJ, he not what we need for re-establishing our Republic. He cannot overcome the circular firing squad that is the Republican primary system.
This is not all bad; it is actually quite beneficial that the right allows personas like Christy to thrive, that we do not subsist with the power structure driving the democrats. They eat their own and are fractionated destructively, for in order to achieve office they have to rely on their own worst enemies. Republicans have defeated rivals, Democrats have power sharing cohorts. The Obama/Clinton liaison provides a stark example of the”minority darling” and the “dynasty” faction (the third leg, Unions, are getting their comeuppance in Wisconsin). They “need” each other to function and this places their ineptitude, corruption and inadequacy constantly on display. Powerful democrats cannot “sit out” the fray; by the time the next election rolls around all their foibles are fresh in everyone’s memories (see Hillary). Unlike the right they have no “dark horses,” they caucus like they govern with elite rule. Their constituencies are serfs not citizens, their leadership are symbiotic and inbred; no natural selection process such as the Tea Party is possible.
Michael L. Hauschild| 3.2.11 @ 5:10PM
Meant northeastern.
louis tully| 3.2.11 @ 1:29PM
the "I could beat Obama" stuff is pure Joisey trash talkin. He plans to run later, not now; and he is going to endorse Romney, that is a done deal (they are peas in a pod). He could have said...there is someone better, and I will be endorsing that person down the road. but Oh No. If you have an ego as large as Christie's, you can't miss an opportunity to beat your chest for the cameras.
From where I sit, Christie taking a pass in 12 is a good thing. He needs to grow up a bit. And there are better choices.
Jeff| 3.2.11 @ 1:54PM
I think he was talking about being ready on a personal level not on his ability to do the job ...