This guy is awsome..as you can clearly see, he has a lot of guts. Every time he speaks, someone on the left has their head explode..so keep talking. Start reading the phone book or something, in a couple of weeks the place will start to get back to ‘normal’.

I’ll be honest….I like this dude.

There is a difference between being loud and being an effective leader. Christie has the former down, which many on the right seem to equate with being a good governor. They are not the same. My head is still firmly attached thank you, and I fail to see how antagonizing people is synonymous with being a strong leader and positive change agent. It’s more akin to being a bully, which is hardly an admirable personality trait. Also, I love how he kept a private box at the Meadowlands for himself while shutting down state officials’ access to premium event tickets at state-owned arenas. Also, he wants to merge the state’s independent watchdog group so that it is under his control. How does that make any sense? If a Democrat did that the right would flip.

You’re just bitter because he targeted your zombie creating teachers union. If the resulting product is defective then you don’t keep pouring money into the system to sustain failure. We talked about tweaking the system slightly, starting with merit pay. The unions won’t budge an inch, why is that? I’m sure that you were one of the good ones..Paul, but you’re sadly the exception to the rule. For years I made a visit to my high school my top priority every time I came back to the states, to visit my favorite teachers and coaches. I admired them greatly. But I went to private schools. They all came over from the public system and they often told me the horror stories that exist over there. None would ever go back, and the unions were one of the main reasons.

I’m not bitter. I have not taught in NJ and am not a member of their teacher’s union. I have agreed with you that changes need to be made and it is too easy for poor teachers to keep their jobs. The union should be more willing to compromise. A new poll shows that right now people in NJ are not too happy with the governor or his policy decisions. Nearly half of the state’s residents feel he’s a bully. Again, being loud and aggressive is not synonymous with good leadership. He has to get things done and by antagonizing everyone he limits his ability to do so.

Vetoing the recent tax increases will go a long way toward endearing him to the moderates. He’s not a bully, he’s a defender of the earners in his state. The bullies have had their way with other peoples money for far too long, Christie is using his considerable ‘weight’ to push back. Get used to it, we’re cloning him..see you in November.

The teachers union in NJ is sucking that state dry. Now, they are raising dues so they can develop a media campaign against him. I’m sure that’s going to make the teachers happy.

“When school children start paying union dues, that ‘s when I’ll start representing the interests of school children.” – Albert Shanker, President of the Teachers Union (United Federation of Teachers) from 1964 to 1984 as well as President of the Teachers Union (American Federation of Teachers) from 1974 to 1997.

To many he is in fact a bully, and his approval rating is not all that good. If he was at 75% I might be a little worried but he’s under 45%. No doubt he faces serious challenges in NJ, but picking fights with everyone he can and yelling at people are not leadership qualities I admire. Like I said, a new poll shows that many of his policy decisions are very unpopular with state residents, and trying to take control of the state’s independent watchdog group is not the move of a great leader. That is suspect.

Yes the teacher’s union is evil incarnate. I get it. There is much more to NJ and its problems than the teacher’s union.

Fair point Paul

Boot on the neck Kaptain Kickass is below that..42%. Everything, and more, that you just described matches the current administration. He wants to bail out the unions, again, and calls it an emergency. He wants to seize control the internet, and calls it an emergency. I could go on, but you get the picture. Create crisis..turn it into political capital..use capital to further agenda. Vote democrat..vote often.

sieze..and I didn’t go to public schools..oops

Wait are we talking about Christie or Obama now?

Except for being overtly bullish, it seemed to me that you were talking about them both.

Sorry for the confusion. I was talking about Christie only.

Whatever. Ignore the elephant in the room..until it crushes you. Everything always comes back to the head man in charge. He’s blowing the bubble that we all have to float around in.

I don’t think I’m ignoring anything. I agree that whether it’s a governor or a president, they tend to get all the blame for anything that goes wrong and none of the credit for anything that goes right. I just have serious concerns about the way Christie is governing.

Ok Paul..don’t vote for him. Now you know how I feel for all 50 states.

All 50? Man, I follow national and state politics as much as I can, but I can’t say I’m fully educated on the candidates in all 50 states.

I’m talking about the One who is in charge of all 50 states.

Oh right I should have gotten that. Well now you know how I felt from 2000-2009 then.

N.J. labor union considers funding media campaign against Gov. Christie’s budget cuts

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/labor_union_to_vote_on_forming.html#incart_rh

And?

New Jersey spends about 62% more per student on education than the average U.S. state.
I live and have a business in NJ and I hope our next president kicks as much union ass as Christie!

“paulmdoro says:
June 17, 2010 at 8:17 am
There is a difference between being loud and being an effective leader. Christie has the former down, which many on the right seem to equate with being a good governor. They are not the same. My head is still firmly attached thank you, and I fail to see how antagonizing people is synonymous with being a strong leader and positive change agent. It’s more akin to being a bully, which is hardly an admirable personality trait. Also, I love how he kept a private box at the Meadowlands for himself while shutting down state officials’ access to premium event tickets at state-owned arenas. Also, he wants to merge the state’s independent watchdog group so that it is under his control. How does that make any sense? If a Democrat did that the right would flip.”

This is the substance of your analysis? He is too loud and he kept the box in the Meadowlands? I’d have to know why he kept the box and I think he is trying to do a good job as Governor. New Jersey needs someone who is willing to fight for the tax payer instead of rolling over to the special interests. NJ taxes are sky high, jobs and people are leaving the State and something has to be done. But your concern is the box and the number of decibels he puts out.

Now, as to what would happen if a Democrat did something bad, didn’t you know that our last Governor was sleeping with the head of the NJ Teachers Union. I think that certainly puts that Democrat under more suspicion than the box does with Christie. I don’t remember you complaining about the last Governor of NJ. Why is that, paulmdoro, do you only complain about Republicans?

As to the watch dog group, you have a habit of making very vague accusations. Please provide more meat to that?

As to state officials having access to premium event tickets at state-owned arenas, I don’t think they should have. The Governor is the leader and should represent the state. Its like Nancy Pelosi using Air Force One. That should never happen.

“paulmdoro says:
June 17, 2010 at 8:50 am
I’m not bitter. I have not taught in NJ and am not a member of their teacher’s union. I have agreed with you that changes need to be made and it is too easy for poor teachers to keep their jobs. The union should be more willing to compromise. A new poll shows that right now people in NJ are not too happy with the governor or his policy decisions. Nearly half of the state’s residents feel he’s a bully. Again, being loud and aggressive is not synonymous with good leadership. He has to get things done and by antagonizing everyone he limits his ability to do so.”

Another vague reference Paul? Just where did this poll come from. Here are the results of a real poll:

“Most New Jersey voters still approve of the job that Governor Chris Christie is doing, and he earns solid support for his handling of the state’s contentious budget situation.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely New Jersey Voters shows that 51% approve of how the new Republican governor is doing his job, while 45% disapprove. This includes 33% who Strongly Approve and 31% who Strongly Disapprove.

These findings mark little, if any, change from mid-April.

Forty-six percent (46%) of Garden State voters give Christie good or excellent marks for his handling of the budget crisis. Thirty-six percent (36%) rate his performance in this area as poor.

Christie has been battling the Democratic-controlled legislature and the state’s powerful public employee unions over his proposed $29.3 billion budget, which includes substantial spending cuts in several areas.

Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans and 60% of voters not affiliated with either major party approve of how Christie is doing as governor. Seventy-three percent (73%) of Democrats disapprove.”

Where did your poll come from?

While the video doesn’t include anything as entertaining as Christie shouting down angry teachers,

I’m sorry, but I fail to detect Christie “shouting” anyone down. In fact, he’s thoroughly calm and composed throughout the referenced clip as well as this one. Pray tell, what did you hear him “shout”?

I haven’t been a resident of NJ for long. I moved to NJ after Christie was elected, so that is why I haven’t criticized Corzine. From what I understand he was a pretty crappy governor. Also, I have repeatedly said that NJ is in a bad place and Christie has his work cut out for him. I’m not deluded about or ignorant of the state’s condition. You criticize the substance of my analysis, but people who like Christie keep repeating how awesome he is merely because he yells at people they don’t like. Where is the substance in that? Again, yelling at people does not make someone a great, effective leader. I think the opposite is true. Constantly berating people and making enemies is going to make it that much harder to get things done. I have many concerns and I certainly don’t have a habit of vague accusations. You just don’t agree with me, hence your accusations. Oh, as for the independent watchdog group and trying to move it from the legislative branch to the executive branch, which would put it under his control (rendering its independence questionable): http://www.northjersey.com/news/95391179_Watchdogs_to_protest_merger_plans.html

Why would a governor who claims to be unafraid of taking on anyone or anything want to move an independent government watchdog group to the executive branch?

You criticize the substance of my analysis, but people who like Christie keep repeating how awesome he is merely because he yells at people they don’t like.

What yelling, Paul? Perhaps you’ll grace us with a clip or two of Christie “yelling at people.”

-Christie job approval: 44%

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/poll_finds_nj_voters_split_on.html

NJ residents are mixed at best on the governor and his policies.

The poll I posted shows different results.

When is that clip of the Governor bulling people going to be posted? I guess if a Republican does it you think it bullying and if a Democrat does it you think its strong leadership.

By the way, you said you just moved to NJ. Didn’t you previously say you had lived in Philly for a while? DId you hear nothing about our former Governor when you were there? That would be strange, since many NJ State workers live in Pa. due to its lower taxes.

“I guess if a Republican does it you think it bullying and if a Democrat does it you think its strong leadership.”

When did I say this?

Sure I read the Philly papers quite frequently and they covered NJ a lot. I already said it appears that Corzine was a pretty crappy governor. Not good enough for you?

When did I say this?

You’re calling Christie a bully because he yells at people. Who did he yell at? When? What did he yell?

It hasn’t happened, and yet you seem to claim that’s all he ever does. Why?

I already said it appears that Corzine was a pretty crappy governor.

Crappy does not equal bully. You’ve called Christie a bully. Why?

I never claimed it is all he ever does. Please don’t put words in my mouth. I believe his aggressive combativeness, which he clearly embraces, is counter-productive and not an attribute of a great leader. Many seem to indicate that his brashness makes him a great governor, but I think it makes it harder to get things done. The jury is still out as he’s only been governor for 7 months.

paulmdoro says:
June 17, 2010 at 11:45 am
“I guess if a Republican does it you think it bullying and if a Democrat does it you think its strong leadership.”

When did I say this?

Sure I read the Philly papers quite frequently and they covered NJ a lot. I already said it appears that Corzine was a pretty crappy governor. Not good enough for you?

When I asked you if you complained about the former Governor you said you had just moved to NJ. I’m wondering if you have ever gone after a Democrat except as a “see I did it in that thread in which I was going after that Republican”. See the difference? Since you have arrived here you give the impression of being extremely partisan.

Are you saying that I’m wrong?

“Since you have arrived here you give the impression of being extremely partisan.”

Are you serious? Really? Certainly no more partisan than you are from what I can tell since I’ve been here. We’re just on opposite sides.

Paul, you said this above. Just scroll up if you don’t remember.

Christie has the former down, which many on the right seem to equate with being a good governor. They are not the same. My head is still firmly attached thank you, and I fail to see how antagonizing people is synonymous with being a strong leader and positive change agent. It’s more akin to being a bully, which is hardly an admirable personality trait.

Are we going to see some clips of Christie shouting people down, or yelling at anyone?

Another question, who is more “aggressively combative”? Christie or Obama? Shall we count the threats? Shall we tick off those that each have demonized? Is Obama demonstrating “great leadership” with BP?

Paul..you got your hands full here, buddy. The world can’t be run on hugs alone, no matter how much you hope it could. Do you need to be cuddled before you can be convinced to act? Break eggs..make yummy omlet.

Thanks for the condescension me1ranger. Next time try to tell me something I don’t know in a less jerkish manner. My hands aren’t full just because people here disagree with me. Just because I am not a fan of Christie’s leadership style doesn’t mean I like wimps. It’s not that black and white. Few things are. I don’t know it has to be all or nothing for some people.

paulmdoro says:
June 17, 2010 at 12:06 pm
“Since you have arrived here you give the impression of being extremely partisan.”

Are you serious? Really? Certainly no more partisan than you are from what I can tell since I’ve been here. We’re just on opposite sides.

Really, what side am I on. I’ll tell you. As a NJ resident I’m on the side of the NJ government spending every dollar they spend as wisely as possible. Are you on the opposite side of that?

When it comes to teachers, tenure should not exist. Why should they have more protections in their jobs then the people paying their salaries? As a reminder, the government doesn’t pay their salaries, the taxpayers do. Are you on the opposite side of that?

I also don’t recall that I’ve made vague accusations about politicians that I don’t agree with. There are no politicians that I agree with in every case. Are you on the opposite side of that?

I see you as sort of trrk light.

Now, when are you going to fully explain what Rand Paul did that caused you to investigate him.

When are you going to post examples of Chris Christie yelling and bullying people?

Ah yes the beloved liberal ‘grey areas’..got it. Up or down, on or off, stay or go, for it or against it..most important things are that ‘black and white’. Sorry I’m so snarky but that’s the way it is.

Looks like I’m going to have to do it, RichS. He’s so mean!

Sigh. The “Got to break a few eggs…” except if they are mine!

At this time in our nation’s history our government is hemorrhaging financially, bloating bureaucratically, and executing without constitutional authority. I appreciate what Governor Christie is saying and doing in New Jersey. However in the spirit of Benjamin Franklin, power and money are extremely powerful forces that individually can erode the best intentions of any man or woman, but combined into a singularity they can dominate anyone. Our nation cannot afford to trade one potential dictator for another. We need a leader who will adhere to Founding precepts such as this passed along by Thomas Jefferson: “Let no more be said of the confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” Governor Christie, will you respect, defend, and uphold the will and vox populi?

Is that not what he’s doing? He said what he was going to do, he won handily, and now he’s doing it.

Governor Christie seems to be a pragmatist who understand that an entity cannot indefinitely consume more than it produces or spend more money than it takes in.