Chris Christie and the White House

by: deciminyan

Wed Aug 10, 2011 at 04:06:04 PM EDT

As a blogger, I've joined many of my colleagues in speculating about Chris Christie's presidential ambitions. Unlike many in the Republican field, Christie is smart enough to know that you don't just declare yourself as a candidate and go out and give stump speeches. That may work for elections to town council, but becoming the Leader of the Free (?) World requires a little more finesse and planning.

I've speculated that there are three signs that would indicate Christie's readiness to throw his hat into the presidential ring. Not this time around, but in 2016 when the nation is ready to switch parties after eight years of Barack Obama.

The first is weight loss. Like it or not, this is an issue that should not be. But reality says that some voters value appearance more than positions. Dieting to lose weight is difficult, but so is being president. Christie is working on his weight, has a personal trainer, and if his determination is as big as his ego, he will succeed in slimming down over the next four years.

deciminyan :: Chris Christie and the White House

The second indicator of a presidential run is foreign policy experience. So far, Christie has none. Of course, other than Jon Huntsman, none of the other 2012 contenders have any such experience, and Barack Obama's creds in this area in 2008 were similarly lacking. Maybe what used to be a prerequisite for a potential president is less so now, but look for Christie to participate in trade missions or other overseas endeavors as another sign that he is running in 2016. There are rumors that Christie will not run for re-election as governor in 2013, and that would give him two years to do some international travel and pontificate on foreign policy issues.

The third indicator is promotion of Christie by the GOP. As an avowed non-contender in 2012, he does not pose a threat to the announced candidates. Barack Obama was a little-known senator when he was thrust to national prominence by delivering the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Now, pundits are speculating that Chris Christie will be given the same opportunity in 2012. Christie is as effective an orator as Obama, and if he does deliver the keynote in 2012, that would essentially be the kickoff of his 2016 campaign.

Christie's biggest fear is that Barack Obama will lose in 2012, leaving the White House door closed until 2020, an eternity in presidential politics. But if one assumes that at least half the voters in America are sane and rational, even though the current crop of Republican contenders are not, Christie's ambitions will not be fettered. With the backing of his mentor, Karl Rove, if we see the former prosecutor from Mendham following the three steps I've outlined, you can be sure he's already thinking about trading in his New Jersey State Police chopper for Air Force One.

Tags: Mendham, election, republicans, Karl Rove, Air Force One, New Jersey State Police, Barack Obama, Chris Christie, (All Tags)

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Chris Christie and the White House | 5 comments

eight years of Obama .... (0.00 / 1)

your kidding right ? ....Barrack will be primaried ,if he won that the white house will be lost .....the only way BO could win at this point is a false flag war ......how PO'd are Americans ....watch and learn ,,...http://www.mediaite.com/tv/mad-as-hell-dylan-ratigan-goes-on-epic-rant-over-trillions-extracted-from-u-s/

by: speedkillsu @ Wed Aug 10, 2011 at 22:46:52 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Obama rates better than ANY Repub (0.00 / 0)

As much as Obama has failed to live up to every progressive expectation, the Democratic National Convention isn't about to open up his position as the Democratic candiate to a primary challenge.

Dan Abrams (www.mediaite.com) is still stinging from Hillary losing the primary so I have a tendency to take his opinion with a grain of salt.

Though a primary challenge would remind Obama of his roots, the reality is that the DNC is not likely to open the ticket up to a primary challenge.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

by: Couch Potato Politics @ Wed Aug 10, 2011 at 23:27:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If Obama runs (1.00 / 1)

the WH is lost ....take a look at Wisconsin ,Obama won that handily in 08 I seriously doubt he would win there now .Voters are mad at watching jobs go overseas ,401K 's reduced high taxes ,high health insurance ,and the appearances of a leader that has lost his way .A lot of these problems are not of his making but he isn't doing anything to solve them either and voters sense it .If he runs he loses .I'm not saying CC will run but on perception alone on how he handled the unions and NJEA voters across the country love the guy ....with a little spit and polish he would beat O .

by: speedkillsu @ Thu Aug 11, 2011 at 14:37:27 PM UTC

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