The 2024 Presidential race has already begun capturing the nation’s attention, and among the newest entrants is former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Christie, known for his brash style and no-nonsense approach, has positioned himself as a candidate with experience and leadership. However, a deeper analysis of his record reveals a concerning lack of presidential persona and a trail of negative personality traits that raise questions about his suitability for the highest office in the land.
Common Core Education Acceptance: A Betrayal of Conservative Principles
One issue that has raised eyebrows among conservative voters is Christie’s past support for the controversial Common Core education standards. Despite claiming to be a conservative, Christie’s willingness to embrace a federally mandated education system contradicts his supposed belief in limited government and local control.
Gov. Chris Christie Was for Common Core, Before He Was Against It.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie may have won points with conservatives when he announced Thursday he was pulling his state out of the federal Common Core education standards, but his concerns about the program don’t appear consistent with his two-term record on the program, according to an examination of his past statements and actions.
“It’s now been five years since Common Core was adopted. And the truth is that it’s simply not working,” Christie, a likely Republican presidential candidate, said during a speech Thursday at Burlington County College in Pemberton, N.J.
But Christie praised the program for years after voluntarily adopting it in 2010. “We’re doing Common Core in New Jersey and we’re going to continue. And this is one of those areas where I’ve agreed more with the president than not,” he told a Las Vegas school summit in August 2013.
During that speech, he derided members of Congress who were distancing themselves from Common Core, which was becoming increasingly unpopular with conservative activists, saying they were bowing to political pressure.
Although he continues to deny any personal involvement in the infamous Bridgegate scandal, some have accused Christie of a concerning lack of integrity and a willingness to use his power for personal and political gain.
Ex-aide testifies Christie laughed as Bridgegate was happening.
One of Chris Christie’s closest pals revealed Tuesday that not only did the New Jersey governor know his lackies were snarling traffic around the George Washington Bridge to get back at one of his political foes — he had a big belly laugh about it.
Blowing the lid off Christie’s three years of statements that he was unaware of the plot, David Wildstein, the state’s former No. 2 man at the Port Authority, for the first time publicly stated that the governor knew what was going on — and heartily condoned it.
Inconsistent Stance on Gun Control: Putting Politics over Principles
While claiming to support the Second Amendment, Christie’s past statements on gun control have been inconsistent and often contradictory. This raises questions about his true stance on the issue and suggests a willingness to pander to popular opinion rather than holding firm to his principles.
Chris Christie’s Faking It on Gun Rights.
Undercutting Christie’s perceived tough guy act, however, is his record. In office and as a candidate for office, he has been anything but the kind of Second Amendment advocate who conservatives want to call their own. And his moderate stance on guns—including his history as an assault weapon-ban evangelist—opens him up to charges of inauthenticity.
“Most people in the Second Amendment arena don’t believe him, because he’s been on both sides of the issue,” Richard Merkt, a former running mate of Christie’s, told The Daily Beast. “I think, in his core belief system, he is not a supporter of the Second Amendment… Anything he says in favor of the Second Amendment or in favor of a Second Amendment issue may not sound like it really comes from the heart, because I don’t think it does.”
Luxury Travel Funded by Foreign Leaders: Questionable Ethical Decisions
During his time as governor, Christie enjoyed luxury travel funded by foreign leaders. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency in his financial dealings. The American people deserve a leader who prioritizes their interests over personal indulgences funded by questionable sources.
Chris Christie Loves Living Large With Luxury Trips Paid By Billionaires, Foreign Royals.
NJ Governor Chris Christie loves the spotlight—until it gets too hot. While on his trade trip to London, Christie has happily entertained the press and said stupid shit. But now that the NY Times has a damning report on how he happily takes freebies from the rich and powerful, Christie is suddenly silent.
Insulting Constituents: A Lack of Respect for the Electorate
Christie gained a reputation for his combative and confrontational style, often insulting constituents who dared to question or criticize him. A presidential candidate should possess the temperament and grace to engage in constructive dialogue with voters, rather than resorting to personal attacks and divisive rhetoric.\
Chris Christie calls constituent ‘bum,’ ‘communist’ on sports talk radio.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie isn’t known for holding back when being criticized, whether it be with fellow politicians or even his own constituents.
Fresh off his “Beachgate” scandal last week, Christie took another spin at filling in for sports talk radio host Mike Francesca on WFAN Monday afternoon.
Callers quickly began dialing in to speak to the governor, but some used it as an opportunity to attack him. One of the callers, “Mike from Montclair” didn’t waste any time.
“Governor, the next time you want to sit on a beach that is closed to the entire world except you, you put your fat ass in a car and go to one that is open to all your constituents, not just you and yours,” the caller said.
Christie, not one to shy away from a spat, engaged right back with “Mike from Montclair” after the insults started flying.
“You know Mike, I love getting calls from communists in Montclair,” Christie said.
“You’re a bully. And I don’t like bullies,” the caller retorted.
A Sweet Spot for Donuts: Questionable Self-Control
Chris Christie’s well-documented love for donuts has become a symbol of his struggle with personal health and self-control. While individuals’ personal habits may not directly impact their ability to lead, Christie’s public persona as a figure of excess and indulgence undermines his credibility and raises questions about his ability to make disciplined decisions on behalf of the nation.
Christie, Letterman snack on doughnuts, share favorite fat jokes.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and David Letterman have shared some laughs about the many fat jokes the comedian has made about the lawmaker’s ample girth.
Christie has termed his plumpness “fair game” for comedians. And during his first appearance on “Late Show with David Letterman” on Monday, the outspoken Republican and potential 2016 presidential contender read two of Letterman’s jokes that he said were “some of my personal favorites.”
The governor also drew loud laughs when he pulled out a doughnut and started eating it while Letterman asked him if he was bothered by the digs that have been made about his weight. Christie said he wasn’t, noting that he laughs at the jokes if he finds them funny.
Rejection by Mitt Romney: A Red Flag for Republican Establishment
In 2012, Christie’s ambition to become Vice President was met with rejection by the Mitt Romney team. This decision suggests that even within his own party, Christie’s suitability for higher office was called into question. The rejection by a well-respected Republican candidate raises doubts about his ability to garner broad support and effectively lead a national ticket.
Mitt Romney campaign passed on Chris Christie as vice president.
Mitt Romney’s decision in the 2012 veepstakes to pass on Chris Christie came down not only to the popular governor’s larger-than-life persona but his outsized waistline as well.
According to excerpts from “Double Down,” a new political tell-all about the 2012 presidential race, the Romney campaign quickly grew concerned with a handful of perceived obstacles presented by the obstinate governor.
Chief among them, political journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann noted in their book, was the garish gov’s weight.
He has reinvented himself as Trump Enemy No. 1.
Mr. Christie is pitching himself as the only candidate willing to confront Mr. Trump head-on. (Though Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida has begun to do that, other candidates largely have not, lest they alienate the pro-Trump Republican base.)
In a pre-campaign stop in New Hampshire in March, Mr. Christie tried to convince voters that he was the man to do this by evoking his long-ago brawl with Mr. Rubio: “You better have somebody on that stage who can do to him what I did to Marco,” he said.
Voters remain unconvinced. In a recent Monmouth University poll, Mr. Christie was the only candidate or potential candidate with a net-negative approval rating among Republicans — only 21 percent of whom viewed him favorably, compared with 47 percent who viewed him unfavorably.
While personal habits may not directly impact one’s ability to lead, Christie’s public image as a figure of excess and indulgence due to his well-documented love for donuts raises concerns about his self-control and discipline. A leader should set an example of healthy choices and self-discipline, particularly when it comes to making important decisions for the nation.
While Chris Christie may present himself as a tough-talking leader with the experience to guide the nation, a closer examination reveals a concerning lack of presidential persona and a trail of negative personality traits. From his acceptance of Common Core education to his abuse of power with the State Police helicopter and involvement in the Bridgegate scandal, Christie’s record reflects questionable judgment and a disregard for ethical standards.