Filed under: U.S. Politics
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has, since rising to national prominence in dispatching then incumbent Jon Corzine, become something of a phenomenon of the national conservative movement. As Jason Zengerle’s article in New York Magazine detailed last month, one of the critical cornerstones of his popularity is the bevy of videos his staffers record of him during speeches and public events. Dubbed by some in the conservative media sphere as “Chris Christie porn” (a somewhat unpleasant example here), or more politely as Chris Christie “moments,” they are videos captured of the Republican governor tearing into his opponents. What is somewhat unique, though, is that the opponents he challenges aren’t necessarily other politicians or public figures. For example, his rebuke of a New Jersey schoolteacher, or the same article’s account of his argument with a middle-aged New Jersey citizen over the scrapped ARC tunnel project.
Being willing to clash with your own constituency is not a tact too many politicians are willing to take in a public setting, which is one of the reasons I suspect these confrontations have become so popular within conservative circles. Whereas the concept of political “red meat” normally refers to one politician savaging anther to flare up their base, the sight of a powerful governor willing to lock horns with the common citizen appeals to a more personal instinct. It’s one thing for Christie to call out a guy like Jon Corzine, but there’s an additional seductive appeal to the idea of him tearing down not a political elite, but the sort of person the average conservative might know personally and vehemently disagree with.
Invariably, Christie’s argumentative style and commanding presence have sparked speculation about a presidential run, which Christie has steadfastly denied. It’s difficult to ignore, though, the clearly calculated effort both he and his campaign make to instigate and circulate these conservative “pump-up” videos around YouTube. From New York Magazine:
Now in Moorestown, Christie was hoping to create another such moment. After some introductory remarks, he opened the floor to questions. “For those of you who have seen some of my appearances on YouTube,” he cautioned, peeling off his suit jacket as he spoke, “this is when it normally happens.” Then, recognizing the man who was first in line at the microphone, Christie began to grin. “This could happen right here, ladies and gentlemen! This guy at times has the tendency to annoy me … Get ready! If you have your own cameras, start rolling!”
If I had to make a reasoned guess, I’d say Christie’s presidential choice will be made very late; late enough, at least, for him to reckon whether the economy will stay mired enough for Obama to be a vulnerable incumbent. Assuming Christie has the same basic recognition of national politics that nearly every strategist in Washington has, he’s got to know that if the economy starts to surge, Obama will likely be a juggernaut in 2012. At 48, Christie is still young enough that he could sit an election cycle and make a play for it in 2016 if he so desired. The problem with this strategy, however, is twofold. The most obvious issue is whether his popularity within conservative circles, which I’d currently consider enough to make him a contender to win the Republican nomination, can hold up for that long. He’d also have to win re-election as governor in that scenario, and it remains to be seen whether his abrasive style will begin to wear on New Jerseyites who are closest to it. The second problem, at the risk of seeming too blunt, is his weight. Christie is significantly obese, well beyond the chubbiness that was enough to illicit mockery over Bill Clinton’s fitness. Nor does his body carry said weight in a particularly subtle way. I have significant doubts whether Americans will be willing to elect a president in that physical condition, which is also why I suspect Mike Huckabee, who has been showing signs of regaining some of the weight he famously lost pre-2008, may hurt his own chances.
What Chris Christie is perfectly primed for, however, is to be the Republican VP candidate. Whether Joe Biden returns for a second run, or Obama selects a new running mate, neither are likely to illicit the vibrant support that Christie could from the Republican base, especially as his combative style fits perfectly the campaign job description for an insurgent ticket. If paired with a top-ticket, reasonably inoffensive Republican (presidential lookin‘ John Thune, anyone?), his presence could bolster a surprisingly potent challenge to Obama’s re-election prospects. But in the meantime, Governor Christie (George Washington incarnate) has time to bide, and DVR tapes to buy.
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The Crater 