What does this say about the state of the National Republican party, if a hopeful for Governor is considered by anyone to be the 3rd most influential person in the whole party. But that's just what the Fix has:
3. Chris Christie: The more we look at this November's New Jersey gubernatorial race, the more convinced we become that Christie, a former U.S. Attorney, is going to beat Gov. Jon Corzine (D). Now, campaigns matter and there is still plenty of time for Corzine to make up ground. But, he hasn't yet and that puts Christie in the catbird's seat. A Republican win in true-blue New Jersey would turn Christie into a national figure in much the same way that Christie Todd Whitman's victory in the Garden State way back in 1993 established her as a player at the national level. Christie seems to sense the opportunity to be the moderate voice for the GOP; he came out in favor of Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation this morning. (Previous ranking: N/A)
It's a pretty meteoric rise for Christie and if he were to pull off the victory, he would certainly increase his influence. But #3 right now? Time will tell if Cilizza's prognostication skills are accurate, but I love how he calls it an "opportunity to be the moderate voice," while completely glossing over his attempt to be the conservative in the primary.In past elections, that would have been painted as flip flopping or waffling, but now it's seizing the opportunity according to Cilizza. This moderate conversion has Paul Mulshine calling for a reliever from the GOP bullpen to replace Christie on the ticket before it's too late. Maybe Christie is just like gumby, you can mold him to be whatever you want. Possibly two face, like huntsu referred to him. Or maybe that's what he's hoping people will do, see him as they want to, not for what he really is.
