Chris Christie's 2016 hopes are already fading

Jeb Bush seems to have figured out that the name of the game in modern presidential politics is starting fast and early. His lightning-quick fundraising push is already boxing out other potential contenders for the GOP's top money donors, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who yesterday lost a big fundraiser to Team Bush. It seems ludicrous to count anyone out so early in a presidential cycle, but The New York Times reports that Christie is basically in need of an urgent wake-up call:

As a half-dozen other candidates aggressively raise money and chase endorsements in Iowa and New Hampshire, friends and detractors alike say Mr. Christie’s view of his status and pre-eminence within the Republican field is increasingly at odds with the picture outside his inner circle. [The New York Times]

Meanwhile, Politico asserts that Christie has "slipped out of the top tier of candidates," after a series of setbacks that included a downgrading of New Jersey's credit rating. One Iowa Republican has this advice for Christie: "Pick and win a fight with Bush."