Chris Christie drops bomb on GOP leaders

[Deberg_1990]

I love this guy



http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/02/opinio...html?hpt=hp_c2





"It's why the American people hate Congress. Unlike the people in Congress, we have actual responsibilities."

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie dropped a bomb on Republican House Speaker John Boehner and Congress for refusing to allow a vote on Hurricane Sandy relief in the final hours of the 112th Congress. It was an instant classic of principled political outrage. It provided a strong dose of what Washington has been missing: blunt, independent leadership.


John AvlonChristie prosecuted the case by pointing out that hurricane relief had been provided more quickly to others: For victims of Katrina after 10 days and victims of Hurricane Andrew in Florida after 30 days. But residents of the New Jersey and New York coast have been waiting 65 days to date for some relief.

Christie also accurately pointed out that Northeast states such as New Jersey and New York send more to the federal government in taxes than they get back in federal aid, unlike many of the red states represented by conservatives in Congress. The "makers versus takers" narratives fall apart fast when confronted with reality.



Pulling no punches, Christie declared: "Last night, the House majority failed most basic test of leadership and they did so with callous disregard to the people of my state. ... It was disappointing and disgusting to watch." He also unapologetically named names: "There's only one group to blame ... the House majority, and their Speaker, John Boehner." He added that the relief bill "just could not overcome the toxic internal politics of the House majority."

But Christie also took the high road in terms of decrying the overall atmosphere of hyperpartisanship in D.C., arguing correctly that "Americans are tired of the palace intrigue and political partisanship of this Congress ... this used to be something that was not political. Disaster relief was something that you didn't play games with."



Sandy relief funds stalled in Washington Christie's broadside drew widespread praise on the Web.

One tweet I saw from "Ronnie" in Chicago seemed typical: "His dedication to his State is inspiring. I'm a democrat but damn, Christie's won me over. He has a damn heart."

Christie's fury was backed up by similar straight talk from New York Republican Congressman Peter King of Long Island.

He blasted House leadership on CNN Wednesday morning: "I would say the Republican Party has said it is the party of family values," he said. "Last night it turned its back on the most essential value of all, and that is to provide food, shelter, clothing and relief for people who have been hit by a natural disaster. And I would say that the Republican Party has turned its back on those people."

This display of independence was a reminder that there is a distinct brand of tough Northeastern Republicans -- people such as Christie, King and Rudy Giuliani -- who don't simply toe the line with party leadership or ideological litmus tests. Largely as a result, they are able to connect with centrists and independent voters and win on Democratic turf. This is a lesson for national Republicans as they look to reach out beyond their base.

Christie and King's principled independence and tough talk against their own party leadership brought results.

Within hours, Boehner and Republican House leadership announced that they would vote for an initial round of Sandy relief on Friday, followed by a vote on the remaining amount on January 15.

Conservative activist groups such as Americans for Prosperity, the Club for Growth and Heritage Action all pressured congressional Republicans to vote against Hurricane Sandy relief, and while they helped block a bill from coming to a vote on New Year's Eve, the swift and unsubtle backlash brought a wise reassessment.

All this is a reminder that straight talk in politics is so rare that it stands out and carries more than its own weight in civic debates. It cuts through the spin and resonates beyond party lines because it is credible and rooted in reality.

Most importantly, it gets results. Boehner's turnaround brought to mind a comment made by Christie during his press conference: "No one is beyond redemption."

[Taco John]

Politically, it's brilliant. Use the congressional Republicans as a punching bag, and win the support and admiration of the moderates win a few dumbasses like Kotter to your side. This is the kind of stunt that Kotter-types eat up like tapioca pudding.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by Taco John

Politically, it's brilliant. Use the congressional Republicans as a punching bag, and win the support and admiration of the moderates win a few dumbasses like Kotter to your side. This is the kind of stunt that Kotter-types eat up like tapioca pudding.

Christie is absolutely 100% dead on. If he keeps this up, he will rock the GOP--and 2016.

And if he does, we can relegate the ideologue lunatic fringe back to their rightful place in their closets--BEP, Patty, TJ, etc. Until the tea-baggers get sent packing, the GOP will wander in the wilderness.

[Comrade Crapski]

One POS politician calling out another POS politician over the stolen loot.

yeah, let's fight about it.

[La literatura]

Originally Posted by Tom.Jay61

One POS politician calling out another POS politician over the stolen loot.

yeah, let's fight about it.

I bet you make a lot of money on your political commentary.

[HonestChieffan]

The guy needs to chill. His big game is being tough on spending but when he wants a multi billion dollar handout, hes like a hog at the trough. He is as phony as they come.

[Comrade Crapski]

Originally Posted by Literature

I bet you make a lot of money on your political commentary.

You're an idiot.

[La literatura]

Originally Posted by Tom.Jay61

You're an idiot.

Tu es stupido!

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

The guy needs to chill. His big game is being tough on spending but when he wants a multi billion dollar handout, hes like a hog at the trough. He is as phony as they come.

Quoth a tea-bagger....."Nevermore!"

[Comrade Crapski]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

The guy needs to chill. His big game is being tough on spending but when he wants a multi billion dollar handout, hes like a hog at the trough. He is as phony as they come.

His big campaign pledge was to lower property taxes.

They have gone up every year he's been in office.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

The guy needs to chill. His big game is being tough on spending but when he wants a multi billion dollar handout, hes like a hog at the trough. He is as phony as they come.

So he's like every other republican and democrat? Wow.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by Taco John

Politically, it's brilliant. Use the congressional Republicans as a punching bag, and win the support and admiration of the moderates--while alienating a few dumbasses like TJ and BEP. This is the kind of courage that tea-bagggers have nightmares about.

FYP

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Christie is absolutely 100% dead on. If he keeps this up, he will rock the GOP--and 2016.

And if he does, we can relegate the ideologue lunatic fringe back to their rightful place in their closets--BEP, Patty, TJ, etc. Until the tea-baggers get sent packing, the GOP will wander in the wilderness.

Now I know why you were just referred to as a "dumbass" by the prior poster.

[blaise]

I like how Kotter changed his post to quote TJ and then added some text as if he was aware of TJ's post when he initially made his.

[Amnorix]

Interesting that truly moderate Republicans are starting to stand up to the far right wing nutbags that have taken over the party over the last few election cycles. The Senate sends a strong message to the House, whose leadership then breaks with a significant portion of its own rank and file, and Christie calls out his own party's Congressional leadership for basically ignoring one of the worst storms to ever hit one of the most heavily populated areas of the country.

Christie's point about blue states being net givers to the federal government, where red states are net takers, is one that isn't made nearly often enough in public forums. Red states talk a good game, but they make more than sure to feed at the trough.