2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumThe New Jersey governor helps the GOP keep power -- then doesn't like the results
Sorry, East Coast Republicans, but this is your party tooThe New Jersey governor helps the GOP keep power -- then doesn't like the results
BY ALEX PAREENE
Spare me, Chris Christie. The New Jersey governor delighted political reporters with his theatrical excoriation of the Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives after Speaker John Boehner refused to allow a bill funding aid for people affected by Hurricane Sandy to come to the floor for a vote this week.
This would be the same Christie who, in September 2012, headlined a fundraiser for Iowa congressman Steve King, who is not just one of the craziest members of the GOP crazy wing, but who also announced a month later that he probably wouldnt vote for relief money for Sandy victims for the same reason he refused to vote for federal aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina: Because he was pretty sure people spent the relief money on Gucci bags and massage parlors. This is a man Christie wanted to win reelection, in order to help Republicans maintain control of the House of Representatives, so that they could continue ignoring the priorities and desperate needs of liberal, urban coastal states like New Jersey.
If people dont want John Boehner controlling or attempting to control an arm of the federal government, the answer is to not support Republicans at almost any level of government. Its that simple. The reason Boehner is speaker is because Republicans at the state level in various states controlled redistricting, and did such a good job of it that it would require that Democrats nationwide pull off a 7-point popular vote victory in the next midterm in order to win even a slim House majority.
Every Republican including New Yorkers Michael Grimm and Peter King who fundraises and campaigns for the Republican Party is responsible for what the Republican Party does with its power. While the crazies have nearly complete political control of the party, much of the money still comes from rich coastal moderates, and Chris Christie is so important to the party as a symbol of moderation (shouty bullying moderation but moderation all the same) that the GOP gave him a prime-time speaking slot at the national convention. The Christies enable the crazies.
-snip-
http://www.salon.com/2013/01/03/sorry_east_coast_republicans_but_this_is_your_party_too/
Sekhmets Daughter
(7,515 posts)Beware of what you wish for....
Walk away
(9,494 posts)our declining public school system or the looted retirement funds of several thousand public employees.
leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)about how the teachers and the teacher's union were backrupting the state
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,355 posts)and point out that any so-called Republicans whom don't like what they see are only further enabling their misery and aggravation by continuing to vote to keep them in charge of government at the local, state, and federal levels. I'm not saying that there are no decent public servants whom happen to be Republican but they seem few and far between. If people want good representation, they need to do a little more critical thinking about the kind of people they choose to have represent them. Electing people whom think that "government is the problem" and/or openly vow to obstruct government so that they can make their opponents "fail" is simply NOT a model for good government IMHO and more people should be more selective about whom they vote for and vote for the person that they believe is going to represent them BEST irrespective of party affiliation. I believe that most people- if honest- basically want government to function normally. Sure, they may not be happy about everything that government does (and there's certainly plenty of room for debate) but relatively few people want to "blow up" government or grind it to a screeching halt like the teabaggers do.
truth2power
(8,219 posts)I suppose it's heresy to even ask that question, here, but it does seem that if we complain about Republicans marching in lockstep with their party, the same should also apply to Democrats.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,355 posts)at least not as much as Republicans. IMHO it's one of our greatest strengths and, occasionally, weaknesses. However, I stand by my original point that people need to be more critical about the decisions they make when they enter the voting booth. I'm a Democrat and will mostly support Democrats for elected office but I wouldn't say that being a Democrat makes one infallible either- like being a Republican doesn't make somebody intrinsically bad or evil (though there are very few whose policies and/or approach to governing I can respect).
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)LynneSin
(95,337 posts)I don't know why but i can see it happening. He's definitely not a democrat and he's pissed at the Republicans. I can see the Tea Party rejecting Christie big time should he run in 2016 for President.
But if Christie goes independent it might be the first time ever that a 3rd party could win the White House. And knowing that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg would support him - this could have serious impact on 2016.
Walk away
(9,494 posts)he can run as a republican and win the Democratic vote.