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Is the sheen wearing off of "Governor YouTube"?

by: Adam L

Sun Dec 19, 2010 at 02:59:24 PM EST

It is no secret to New Jersey Democrats (and many independents) as well as many national Democrats that Chris Christie is a mere charlatan when it comes to the facade he has erected when compared to his true actions and words.

But lately, things have been happening here - things that may very well be a sign of things to come over the next few years, especially if things continue as they have over the first year of Christie's term as Governor. There have been a lot of articles and editorials as well as political cartoons expressing a side of Christie that shows how his character flaws are hurting the state and exposing his hypocrisy.

It may have been the Race to the Top application - where Christie was exposed by fellow Republicans as a bullying liar. It may have been the extensive travel around the country and the denial of OPRA requests for documentation of his travel expense records. It may have been the denial of the OPRA requests regarding Race to the Top. It may have been the admission that they look for "YouTube moments" - and use taxpayer dollars to capture them. It may have been the foot dragging of the medical marijuana law implementation, the recent lie he was caught in regarding a meeting requested by Assemblywoman Oliver or the "mission accomplished moment" regarding the economy coupled with the empty web site section on economic development.

Either way, Christie has (as he has consistently done in the past) spent more time crafting an image he wants people to have of him than actually governing. And even when he does try to put forth an initiative - like the property tax "toolkit", it is more flash than substance and doesn't take the necessary steps to actually deal with the rising property tax issue.

The big thing for Republicans is that veneer - how things look as opposed to any real substance. But eventually, and even more so in a high information age, it is tougher to conceal the rot that is underneath a fresh coat of paint.

Now that the NJ media has started to point this out as it is having a real impact on New Jerseyans, Christie has to make a decision: is he interested in actually governing, or just playing the part of "Mr. Bigshot"?

Adam L :: Is the sheen wearing off of "Governor YouTube"?

Tags: media, hypocrisy, true colors, Chris Christie, featured, (All Tags)

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Is the sheen wearing off of "Governor YouTube"? | 8 comments

What pisses me off ... (0.00 / 0)

is that we saw this all years ago, and was telling the world and everyone we could see about it.

But for some reason the media wanted a new hero with no regulator. And they got what they asked for.

by: huntsu @ Sun Dec 19, 2010 at 20:40:13 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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NJ media vs. national media (4.00 / 1)

Almost all the more critical analysis we've seen has been in NJ media and if the worm's turning, it only began with the Parsippany "Town Hall", when Christie had his security haul a Republican teacher up on stage, lectured him with his finger pointed to the guy's face, then had his men escort the guy away before he could get a word in edgewise. That didn't sit well with a lot of reporters, though it looked a lot like stunts he's pulled before.

Huntsu's correct that Blue Jersey's been exposing Christie for years (with huntsu out front early). But the national news is still treating Gov. Christie as a phenomenon. When it comes to Christie, a great deal of what's written nationally is still cult-of-personality stuff.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.

by: Rosi Efthim @ Sun Dec 19, 2010 at 21:00:16 PM UTC

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I'm starting to wonder.. (0.00 / 0)

..if 60 Minutes is regretting having Christie on tonight? I've been watching the Jets game and have not heard one word as they are promoting every other show coming on after the game.

Blog: Pick's Place

by: jeffpickens @ Mon Dec 20, 2010 at 00:05:17 AM UTC

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Christie on 60 Minutes (4.00 / 1)

I've heard Christie called a lot of things, but this is the first time I've heard him being called a canary.

It was not the fluff piece I thought it would be, but blaming public servants for all the ills in state budgets is quite inaccurate.

Blog: http://www.deciminyan.org

by: deciminyan @ Mon Dec 20, 2010 at 01:08:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not a fluff piece.. (3.00 / 1)

..because the segment was not Christie-centric but about state finances in general.

The YouTube moment they excerpted on 60 Minutes was in my opinion one of his ugliest, when he dismissively suggested to a teacher that she find another line of work if she didn't like the pay or benefits.

Rosi is right; a turning point was the Parsippany town hall, where the confrontation was physical, threatening, and no longer amusing. There have been no more such moments reported since then (I believe there have been two more town halls after Parsippany).

Lots of dropped g's in the transcript posted on the CBS News website, includin' this:

So I think amongst the broad, general public, they've said, 'Amen.' And I think among the public sector unions, they are yellin' and screamin'.

There you go again, Governor.

Blog: Pick's Place

by: jeffpickens @ Mon Dec 20, 2010 at 10:36:40 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

What is wrong... (0.00 / 0)

with suggesting that someone who isn't happy with their pay or benefits look for a new career?

by: cwood123 @ Mon Dec 20, 2010 at 14:23:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Christie was spot on (0.00 / 0)

Just like another 60 mins spot which should also be watched. It was about 3 years ago, but still worth a watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

by: speedkillsu @ Mon Dec 20, 2010 at 14:08:37 PM UTC

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On energy policy - one wrong, two right. (0.00 / 0)

The DEP told Exelon to build cooling towers on Oyster Creek. Exelon said "cooling towers are expensive. If you force us to build them, we'll close the nuke plant." Christie said "You're bluffing." Now Exelon has announced that they are closing Oyster Creek (in 2010) click here. Apparently Exelon wasn't bluffing. But, depending on what replaces Oyster Creek, closing the plant can be good for the environment. I'm not sure what Gov. Corzine would have done.

The Governor's office is also on record as being opposed to the Purgen "Coal with Carbon Capture and Sequestration" (CCS) plant that is planned for a superfund site in Linden. This will be a 560 megawatt plant with a price tag of $8 or $9 Billion. click here or here.

One the other hand, Gov. Christie raided the Clean Energy Fund. click here or here. If we no longer need the Clean Energy Fund to support the development of solar energy then we shouldn't be paying into the Clean Energy Fund. If Christie wants to use the monies in the Clean Energy Fund as tax revenues, then he should be up front about raising taxes.

Sustainability: Harnessing processes rather than consuming resources.

by: lfurman @ Mon Dec 20, 2010 at 18:48:49 PM UTC

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Is the sheen wearing off of "Governor YouTube"? | 8 comments