Chris Christie: The GOP's best hope?
New Jersey's tough-talking, spending-slashing governor is rising through the Republican ranks. Is he the national leader the party so sorely needs?
![GOP leaders, conservatives and Tea Party members are reportedly uniting over one thing: an infatuation of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DLwBethNW4jxi7W3drVKuU-415-80.jpg)
A year of conservative momentum topped off with a major midterm victory has left Republicans "seemingly ascendant," says Jason Zengerle in New York, but there's a big gap: The party has "no Reagan-like figure to lead them" in victory against President Obama in 2012. Enter Chris Christie, the hard-hitting New Jersey governor and object of "serious — and sudden — infatuation" from both GOP leaders and far-right activists. Christie insists, emphatically, he won't run. His denials aside, could Christie be the party's next great leader? (Watch a Fox News report about Christie's rise)
Christie "could reshape the GOP": There's a reason Republicans are "begging Christie to throw his hat in the presidential ring," say the editors of FoxNews.com. He brashly stands up to the "liberal establishment, notably teachers' unions," and slashes spending without raising taxes. The GOP establishment loves him, and even "Tea Party movement leaders privately say he's the politician they most want to draft in 2012." Watch out, Obama.
"Chris Christie's GOP fan club grows but no bigger plans yet"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Christie's shine will wear off: The GOP is in awe of Christie because he's managed to make some "difficult and unpopular fiscal decisions" and still "remain popular," says John Gramlich in Stateline. But there's good reason to believe that his "next three years in office could be more challenging than the first," as voters, facing higher transit fees and local taxes, realize "they are paying more for less state government."
"Chris Christie is a role model... but do his cuts add up?"
Voters will date Christie, but marry another candidate: As the GOP's "collective crush" on a certain "little-known governor of Alaska" in 2008 shows, says The Economist, "infatuation" is different than "the difficulties and drudgery of love." Christie's "candor," even with its whiff of YouTube "stagecraft," is a breath of fresh air, and plays well with GOP activists. But his "forthrightness" may seem "less bracing, more brutal" to voters in crucial 2012 states like Iowa.
"The conservatives' new crush"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Nasa's 'strangest find': pure sulphur on Mars
Under the Radar Curiosity rover discovers elemental sulphur rocks, adding to 'growing evidence' of life-sustaining elements on Red Planet
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Bodycam shows deputy killing Black woman
Speed Read An Illinois deputy fatally shot Sonya Massey, who had called 911 about suspected trespassers
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Spare us the charade'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published