Sunday, November 07, 2010
Governor Awesome on the tunnel too far
New Jersey's governor Chris Christie -- Governor Awesome to you and me -- explains to David Gregory why he didn't take all the supposedly free money from the feds to build a new tunnel under the Hudson, for which decision he took grief from all the usual suspects.
I love a politician who cares about me in my capacity as a productive citizen and can explain himself clearly. If we had ten more dudes like Governor Christie it would be morning in America all over again.
14 Comments:
By 
JPMcT, at
Sun Nov 07, 04:40:00 PM:
Couldn't we make him president while BO is away dancing in India?
Just give him the ten days!!
By 
, at
Sun Nov 07, 05:52:00 PM:
People are so used to being cynical about politicians, and there was one great example in this interview:
Gov. A: "We could not sustain this [spending], David. The State of New Jersey is broke.
DG: "So, is this all about ideology for you?"
What part of "we're broke" is so hard to understand? I ask myself this question all the time when I talk to people who want to maintain Social Security or Medicare as is, or the Defense budget as is. They simply do not understand that our country is out of money, tapped out on taxes, scratching the bond markets dry and now reduced to monetizing our debts. It's just "ideoloy" when one argues that ObamaCare, on top of our existing debts and broken entitlements, would put us into penury.
It's weird, and I truly do not get these people.
MTF
By SR, at
Sun Nov 07, 06:39:00 PM:
I had this conversation with a fellow Californian 2 weeks prior to the election. I said that California was broke. She said, we still have to pay police, firefighters and teachers. Christie asked for a one year freeze in pay and a 2% contribution to teachers' healthcare. The union said no. What is it about these people?
Pitch in for heck sakes, will ya'
By Christopher Chambers, at
Sun Nov 07, 07:34:00 PM:
First, the nation was broke in the 1930s. We managed somehow to build the Hoover Dam, Golden Gate Bridge, GW Bridge etc. I guess America's not great anymore...but wait, I thought TH was an "America First" blog? LOL
Second, isn't this tunnel needed? As in, necessary? You can swim your cars...or trains...across the Hudson. I bet when those train tunnels collapse, and mud/river water serves up a lot of Republican commuters, well...
Third, if the cliff walls and riverbed was made of brownie batter, I bet Gov. Fred Flinstone would be able to bite his way through all by himself, and this save taxpayer money.
By , at
Sun Nov 07, 08:16:00 PM:
Chris I think the point you miss is that the Kenyan created government jobs, not jobs for private individuals. Gov Christie's points include that the Feds have capped their investment, but not NJ's, and that NY has not ponied up. Face it, your buddy has been a pathetic Chief Executive, just like the Right predicted. He is an embarrassment, and the American people get it.
By , at
Sun Nov 07, 08:24:00 PM:
If I remember correctly any NJ resident working in NY gets a credit on their NJ income tax for withholding paid in NY. Therefore if the NJ resident works in NY, the only benefit NJ will receive is the property tax payment (if the person is a property owner). There will be no incoem tax paid to NJ after NY state taxes paid credits, personal exemptions, deduction.
How can NJ foot the bill for a tunnel that NY and NYC will be reaping the benefit of?
NY / NYC gets better choice of workers since commuting into NYC becomes easier. NJ is stuck with the bill for the tunnel?
It's good that Christie shot the thing down.
DTG in NNJ
By Escort81, at
Sun Nov 07, 11:22:00 PM:
Again with the ad hominem attacks on Christie's weight. Er, feel like disclosing to us your own BMI, Chris? The points you make are valid or not, regardless of your fitness level.
By , at
Mon Nov 08, 12:44:00 AM:
Just another UNION LABOR slush fund - much like the BIG DIG.
Thank you Gov. Christie
He is the real deal.
Worthy of the GOP Nomination for 2012 for certain.
He certainly was right about Delaware as well.
By , at
Mon Nov 08, 01:45:00 AM:
as near as i can tell, since reagan left office, there've been exactly *2* (count 'em) 2 GOP pols who've instantly captured the hearts, minds, and enthusiasm of the american conservative electorate. palin and chrisie.
palin, due to - i suppose - inexperience in dealing with media sharpies & sharks, came off looking to some unprepared. she allowed couric to ambush her, and **then edit it to couric's liking**; and of course the left poured unprecedented hatred & vitriol on her, proof of how much she scared them. and then she quit her job - of course, so did big sis napolitano, but that doesn't count for some reason. so rightly or wrongly, she's (perceived) as having some baggage.
christie's the bomb. tough, smart, eloquent, he outworks, outthinks, and outprepares his opponents, and invariably ends up making them his bitches. (ask the 90% dem NJ legislature about their success rate in rolling him.) he's got the whole conservative country swooning over him, and he did it in just 9 months. and he's getting better at it by the day.
if they're serious, the GOP will run or DRAFT the guy if they have to in 2012. anything less will be proof all they care about is business as usual. we'll be watching, fellas....
By Progressively Defensive, at
Mon Nov 08, 10:30:00 AM:
The man knows his numbers!
He is Governor Awesome. He and Corey Booker would be a great Jersey-Jersey ticket for Pres-VP.
There will be more like him. That's leadership.
Thanks Mr. Tigerhawk. [No need to berate me again readers,I realize there is no Mr. Tigerhawk - I just like writing it.]
By victoria, at
Mon Nov 08, 11:09:00 AM:
You mean he did before he didn't? Sounds like a Palinism to me. Be careful assigning the "awesome" category to your governor. He has feet of clay and is a human like all of us. Too bad he can't cure the educational ills of his state with his magic, awesome wand.
By , at
Mon Nov 08, 11:28:00 AM:
Gov Christie describes the tunnel as financed 70% NJ / 30% USA with nothing from NY/ NYC and NJ 100% on the hook for cost over-runs. As a citizen of NY, I'm outraged that he's not supporting this.
Did Corzine negotiate this deal? I thought he ran Goldman once upon a time.
Christie also said the Florida's high speed rail will be 80% USA / 20% FL -- that's a project that should be killed outright, along with the others in Stimulus.
By , at
Mon Nov 08, 11:55:00 AM:
As a disillusioned and pro-business Democrat, I can see some rising talent in the GOP who might get my vote on a national level. Christie of NJ and Daniels of IN both seem like serious problem-solvers.
But can you explain to me why, with that kind of talent available, so many on your side of the fence seem to flock to the likes of Palin? You really can't see the difference?
By , at
Mon Nov 08, 02:51:00 PM:
I don't know Christie's position on abortion, Afghanistan, DADT nor how often he goes to church. He says he's gone to 125 Springsteen shows.
Many Republicans make such things their primary criteria for defining candidates as RINO or un-RINO.
There's some parallels between Christie and early 1990s Rudy Giuliani. Rudy had some issues when he tried to go nationwide, even after 9/11.
Compare Christie to Romney -- I'd expect they'd be close on most positions. But Christie has the common touch -- Romney not.
