Posted on 11/22/2012 10:13:25 AM PST by SeekAndFind
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is sitting atop many Republicans’ you-know-what-list these days, after what seemed like some unnecessarily excessive displays of ultra-bipartisan praise of Obama in the pre-election wake of Hurricane Sandy. Yes, everyone understands that he's the Republican governor of a blueish state and that some well-placed schmoozing to the federal government can help him gain more federal resources for his domain, but it did seem kind of over-the-top, especially after Romney gave him the keynote slot at the Republican National Convention. As Allahpundit already noted, it's tough to believe that Christie wasn't milking the situation for all it was worth to appeal to Democrats ahead of what could come down to a tough gubernatorial race against Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and he all-too-aptly demonstrated that for all of his conservative bombast, he’s got plenty of wily politician in him, too.
Apparently, it worked out pretty well for him — maybe not with the GOP on the whole, but at least in terms of his state-reelection prospects, it definitely gave him a popularity-boost. Via the WSJ:
Nearly two-thirds of respondents to the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released Wednesday had a favorable view of Christie, a 17 percentage point gain from the institute’s last poll in September. …
In terms of Christie’s response to the storm, 92% of the 1,225 residents polled said he handled it very well, including a large number of women, Democrats and those earning less than $50,000. Christie has struggled to maintain the support of women and lower-income residents in the past. …
Republicans nationally have criticized Christie for his support of President Barack Obama‘s response to the storm in New Jersey, but 81% of those polled said it was a sign of “needed cooperation.” Only 12% thought the gestures went too far.
By comparison, the poll notes, Cory Booker’s favorability rating was around 50 percent, and such a big lead over Booker isn’t a bad way for Christie to start off the yearlong countdown to the November 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial race. I don’t know that anybody doubts that Christie is keeping a weather eye on a possible 2016 bid, and if he can get just get reelected back to his governorship, then he’ll be in a prominent position to nurse his image and really start romancing the Republican party. …Weird stuff, this political business.
We live in High School again.
Progressives love them some fat boy!
LLS
What response?? He hadn't done anything at all up to that point and was getting lavish praise BEFORE doing a thing.
Sort of like how he got the Nobel Prize...
I don’t give a hairy smelly Obama what folks think about Christie.
As for me, I’ll NEVAH vote for that RINO-butt!
Fair warning, Repulsican brain-dead committee...methinks you’re probably already lining up another loser for ‘16.
Remember, we’re gonna need someone brave enough to administer the death penalty after we try and convict the Obamadork/felon.
Christie is a Democrat and should formally change to that party.
Swell. The MSM propping up another weak GOP candidate. Much like the Israelis, I don’t think the party will learn.
Christie? Isn’t he dead?
Oh, ok. Well they can re-elect him if they want to.
OH MY GOD!!! THEY WILL BE CRUSHED!!!!!!
Can’t expect anything else from New Jersey.
Amen, amen, and amen.
Look. I don’t fault him for wanting to take care of his people, but he sure went out of his way to prove he’s a Dem, didn’t he?
Betcha he still loses his re-election bid.
PR at work
They’re only praising him because he’s a pubbie sell-out. Otherwise they wouldn’t give him the time of day.
That bloated piece of crap should join the democrat party!
Christie is a democrat... an Obama a$$ kissing democrat.
Christie vs Booker. Tough to know who to root for. Booker wins and he becomes the Left’s next Magic Negro for POTUS. Christie wins and we have to deal with his traitorous fat ass in 2016.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.