New Jersey Governor Chris Christie joined the already crowded Republican field today with the announcement of his candidacy. He gave a real stem-winder that would be sure to catapult him to the front of the pack — were this the 2012 campaign season, not 2016.
In the speech, a video of which follows, he re-introduced himself to the United States, told everyone he will say what he thinks, and that he is willing to make the tough choices. It was vintage Christie.
“I am now ready to fight for the people of the United States of America,” Christie said at the gym of his former high school in Livingston, New Jersey. “I mean what I say, and I say what I mean, and that’s what America needs right now.”
This is all well and good. I just can’t see how he can get around the fact that the economy in his state is in the crapper. It would be interesting to know how he plans to explain the Standard & Poor ratings have been downgraded 3 times since he became governor. His approval rating reflects these financial reverses, having fallen to 30% as compared with 77% after his 2012 reelection. Granted, some of this can be explained by the blame unfairly placed on him following the Bridgegate scandal.
In other words the governor is a great retail candidate, but it will be very hard to get beyond his numbers in his own state.
Having said all this, I recommend watching the speech anyway.
https://youtu.be/JXln3YCwj08
Cross-posted at The Lid
