2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumChris Christie Gay Marriage Move Stirs GOP
STEVE PEOPLES & THOMAS BEAUMONT OCTOBER 22, 2013, 6:06 AM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie's decision to stop fighting the legality of New Jersey same-sex marriages paves the way for gays to wed in the Democratic-leaning state. But it also reflects the Republican's effort to cast himself as the pragmatic leader of a welcoming GOP while running for re-election and considering a White House bid.
Friends and foes describe the move simply as Christie being Christie.
The tell-it-like-it-is governor is signaling that he won't be intimidated by a vocal conservative minority that usually wields great influence in Republican presidential politics. And with political divisions deepening -- especially in the Republican Party -- Christie is betting his political future that the GOP and the nation ultimately would embrace an unapologetic compromiser capable of attracting a broad coalition of voters, as he is expected to do in gubernatorial voting in two weeks.
There are clear risks.
While national public opinion is evolving, Republicans who oppose gay marriage traditionally dominate GOP politics in early-voting states on the presidential calendar such as Iowa and South Carolina.
"Abandoning foundational principles that go beyond politics is not the way to get positive attention in South Carolina," said Bob McAlister, a veteran South Carolina-based Republican strategist, adding that Christie's latest move "is absolutely going to hurt him."
more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/chris-christie-gay-marriage-move-stirs-gop
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)What's South Carolina going to do, vote for Hillary?
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,414 posts)Yeah, he decided not to waste more taxpayer dollars to defend the ban on same-sex marriage like some wingnuts might have done but that hardly makes him special- when he could have signed a bill earlier to allow it.
Heather MC
(8,084 posts)he couldn't stop the train so he just step out of the way.
but sadly some people will fall for the Okie dokie
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,414 posts)Thatlesbianteacher
(4 posts)My Letter to "The Governor"....
http://thatlesbianteacher.com/2013/10/18/a-letter-to-chris-christie-the-governor/
Heather MC
(8,084 posts)I really really hope NEW Jersey SHOCKS the World and kicks Christie to the curb
I am not optimistic so I will lean on to yours.
I am in VA I think we have a good chance with ditching ChoochieNelly. but I don't think enough people are paying attention
William769
(55,147 posts)Have you seen that NOM is at it again? Protesting ENDA saying we are using it to get to marriage equality.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)But at least he didn't waste the taxpayers money by going any further with this.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)What is it with these people?
GatorOrange
(63 posts)Christie knows the 2016 Republican primary will be a battle of absolute ideological purity (2012 was too, Romney picked up the scraps from the splintered base) and there will be no "moderate" or "RINO" selected by a base that will demand a Rand Paul or Calgary Cruz type. He'll stay on the sidelines as the base gets their dream. Once they are crushed in 2016, Christie can capitalize on the the annihilation of the batcrap crazy crowd and portray himself as the transformational conservative that can win nationwide. Christie is very slick and the media just fawns all over him. It'll be a real chore for us to showcase the REAL Chris Christie; a guy that's 95% on board with destructive GOP policies.
rurallib
(62,423 posts)and he is still a very right wing asshole.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,414 posts)I've even heard some progressives I know speak fondly of him and ask me what I think of having him for President
The ONLY things he has *going* for him is that he is no Perry or Cuccinelli (which will likely keep him from being nominated in the first place) and that he's one of the few Republicans willing to tell the RWNJs to get over their Islamophobia obsession but that's about it. In terms of same-sex marriage, he only decided to stop fighting it but he never supported it so he gets no brownie points from me.
Always Randy
(1,059 posts)"The tell-it-like-it-is governor is signaling that he won't be intimidated by a vocal conservative minority that usually wields great influence in Republican presidential politics."
This is not why----the polls in New Jersey show him losing ground quickly to his opponent state Sen. Barbara Buono (saw her on Rachel she is good)---he is scared to death that he will lose the Governorship----this is not about worrying that Conservatives won't like him-----
leftynyc
(26,060 posts)he'll lose the election in November. He's averaging a 26 point lead:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2013/governor/nj/new_jersey_governor_christie_vs_buono-3411.html
I think he's looking forward...to the White House but not in 2016.