Don’t Believe the Chris Christie Hype—Look at His Economic Record

[Beacool]

by Dean Obeidallah
Nov 11, 2013

In 2016, the New Jersey governor won’t be running against an unknown, underfunded opponent—but a GOP primary field keen to pounce on his economic failings.

Chris Christie’s greatest obstacle to becoming president of the United States is neither his weight nor his conservative credentials. It’s his crappy economic record as governor of New Jersey.
............

It won’t take a person in a white lab coat to uncover Christie’s failings, however. They’re easy to spot. Here are just a few of his economic record’s lowlights, which his opponents are sure to broadcast:

Unemployment: New Jersey’s unemployment rate is 8.5 percent, considerably higher than the national rate of 7.3 percent, making the state 41st in the nation.

Job creation: New Jersey ranks 44th in job growth during Christie’s governorship.

Credit rating: Three major credit agencies have cut the state’s credit rating since Christie became governor, making it costlier to borrow money.

Economic growth: In 2011, New Jersey was just one of seven U.S. states whose economy shrank. The state ranked 47th in terms of GDP growth.

Taxes: New Jersey is tied for 50th in the Tax Foundation’s annual report, which ranks which states have the most business-friendly (translation: lowest) taxes. Plus, the tax burden grew by 18.6 percent for the average family under Christie.

Home prices and foreclosures: Mortgage delinquencies have increased 2.8 percent since Christie took over, the highest of any state in the nation. Plus, home prices are down 6.7 percent in that time, putting New Jersey in the bottom quarter of all states.

Poverty: Although this statistic may not resonate with Republican primary voters, the poverty rate in New Jersey has reached a 52-year high, with 24.7 percent of the state below the poverty level.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/11/11/don-t-believe-the-chris-christie-hype-look-at-his-economic-record.html

I'm bookmarking this article in the off chance that Christie becomes the GOP nominee.

[Whisp]

1. hmmm, interesting...

lemme get my angle figuring device out, cuz I know you got one.

[Beacool]

2. How are things in Canada?

Nice to see how interested you are in my state's politics.

[Whisp]

3. I have many interests. The whole world has interest in the next President

for all sorts of good reasons.

You're not going to go Freedom Fries on me, are ya? Or would that be Freedom Poutine?

[TheKentuckian]

4. I'm not super confident that such facts weigh enough in the current media environment

and make up of the electorate.

Not just about Christy but any candidate that is arguably sane and is supported by the big money.

If you're saying Big Money will see the track record and pan the Kingpin then that is an important perspective.

[Beacool]

5. Christie brags about getting things done.

Well, things are not that great in NJ. If he starts to extol his record, he can be confronted with the facts.

[DonCoquixote]

12. The reason he is hyped

Is because he is the one red stain in an area that was always Blue (even if it was heavy Blue dog).

[busterbrown]

6. Thanks for the facts.. Good stuff.

Fact of the matter the slob will make up his own facts about state of economic affairs and just keep repeating the lies
until the media accepts them as accurate.

Just look at that other slob Walker....Never hear a peep from MSM when he flings shit..

[Beacool]

9. You're welcome.

These are the facts that need to be pounded and repeated if he does run for president. Christie is a windbag with few actual accomplishments during his years in office.

[Deep13]

7. The hype seems to be focused on his waistline.

And yeah, he's a right-wing hack even if Rick Perry makes him look reasonable by comparison.

[Beacool]

11. It's a question of style, not substance.

He portrays himself as someone who can work with Democrats, when in reality he bullies people to get his way and is as conservative as the rest of the GOP. I think that the guy is a jerk.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

19. This is what bothers me the most. Bush, Jr. used to make this same pronouncement. In reality...

(a) because the Texas constitution grants governors very weak executive powers, he was forced to work with the overwhelmingly Democratic legislature and compromise. It was not because he wanted to; it was because he had no choice! He HAD to!

(b) because his Lt. Gov. at the time was a Democrat; again, complicating his constitutional authority to do what he wanted. He was forced to cooperate with the Democrats, not because he wanted to, but because he HAD to!

(c) because in divided government, it is necessary to bargain and negotiate, often giving up something and getting something else in return. As we learned from Barbara Buono, this is what the NJ Democrats did--they bargained with Christie because they had to.

---

Christie finds himself in a similar position. So, this notion that he's a moderate and that he's so bipartisan who works willingly with the Democratic-dominated legislature is absolute BULLSHIT! You know it. I know it. And I am convinced that the Corporate Media up there in Jersey (including the Star Ledger) and the NYTimes, and so on, also know it!

I just wish more Jersey voters knew it. And for godssakes, I wish the Corporate Media would report the truth rather than lies.

Christie is going to run on these lies! Lies that he is a compromiser and that he is not wedded to some corporate, conservative ideology. It's all bullshit! All of it! We have to start educating people now.

Thanks for this thread. Very helpful reference that I can grab when needed.

Kicked and bookmarked.

[Beacool]

21. Christie is in some respects like Limbaugh.

They are both blowhards who think that they're smarter than those around them. They also have the habit of being insulting and browbeating those who disagree with them. I can't stand either one.

Yes, he's going to run on lies that he is a moderate and can get things done by reaching out to Democrats. It's all a load of manure.

[Jamaal510]

8. Some moderate RINO he is...

[TeamPooka]

10. Even Atlantic City isn't making the money it used to and I blame Christie for it. nt

[Beacool]

22. Yes, AC is not making the same profits as it used to.

Which I normally wouldn't care, but hundreds of people's livelihood depends on casino jobs.

[IkeRepublican]

13. PDF or MS Office Image it

Sites have a tendency to remove pages after a year.

[Beacool]

18. Thanks, good advice.

[PBass]

14. Chris Christie has the exact same chance of becoming president that Rudy Giuliani had...

in other words, ZERO.

The GOP is a regional party now (the South) and an East Coast "moderate" is not gonna fire up the GOP base. An unmotivated base spells certain doom.

Besides that, Christie won't possibly survive the GOP primaries. Look at his record - he simply cannot pass the GOP's Purity Test. He's mostly just a loudmouth (as mentioned) but he's occasionally a moderate on certain issues (a cardinal sin with today's Wingnuts). The other candidates will rip him to shreds, accordingly. Even if he miraculously wins the nomination, by the time that's settled he will be so damaged that he'll lose the general election in a most spectacular, hilarious way.

i'd be glad to see him as the GOP nominee, in fact I might even send him a couple bucks just to encourage him

I think 2016 is gonna be just as exciting and fun for our side as 2008 was. We have the first black president and next, we're gonna have the first woman president (no matter who she is). Lets not start talking about 2024 yet - it's too early

[nxylas]

16. Christie's main disadvantage is that the backwash is coalescing around Ted Cruz

(Apologies for that image)

Romney and McCain only got past the primary stage because the far right couldn't unite around a single candidate, and the Tea Party candidates ended up cancelling each other out. However, Cruz seems to be the new Palin in terms of bagger adoration. A brief visit to Free Republic (I try not to hang around there too long) reveals that they see even Rand Paul (Cruz's only real competitor) as just another RINO.

[Beacool]

24. It will depend on whether the T.P. bunch eviscerate each other.

In 2012, the various T.P. destroyed each other and the "sane" candidate won. If nxylas is correct and they coalesce their support on one guy (Cruz, for example), that would leave Christie out of the equation.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

15. Two larger points: Christie loses to Hillary in a head to head match up according to

exit polls taken last week after the election, and (2) Christie won based on pretending to be moderate: accepting federal dollars for Sandy relief, opposing government shutdown, expanding Medicaid, not pursuing anti-gay marriage rebuttal in the courts. NJ Democrats sold their souls to Christie and made a deal with him. Fucking cowards!!!

He loses his own state to ANY Democratic nominee in the running and gets his ass handed to him by Hillary especially!!!!

[Beacool]

23. Yes, he probably would lose NJ to Hillary.

Hudson County is the most populated county in the state and it's strong Democratic (Buono won it last week).

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

25. Exit polls clearly showed that he would get stomped by Hillary. End of story. No contest.

[Frustratedlady]

17. Christie won't make it to the primaries, although that would be too bad.

He'd add a little humor to a boring display of candidates.

He'll burn out before then. His sense of humor gets old and bullies are finally being looked down upon by society. He thinks he's cute (as does his wife, apparently) when he bullies women, but he'll learn how wrong he is.

Christie is a novelty...a throw-away toy.

[libdem4life]

20. The comment that the Repubs are a regional party is right on. Thus far, the Dems are more Left

Right axis with not quite the defensive brick walls set up...hopefully. The Big Tent has come through before...I predict it will again.