Jon Stewart to Chris Christie: "WHY ?"

Comedian Jon Stewart had a one-word response to news that Chris Christie was joining the over-crowded field of Republican candidates for president:

W H Y  ?

I suppose Christie thinks there's still room for a no-nonsence straight-talker who tells people the hard truths.    Never to be confused with a shrinking violet, the loud-mouth Christie's style was initially appealing, and he won huge in the ratings after his response to the damage brought to his state by Hurricane Sandy.

But since then New Jerseyans have learned the hard way that the loud-mouth blusterer is not much more than that (plus a crafty politician on the take for himself and his rich friends).  Quoting Stewart:

Under him, New Jersey's had its credit downgraded eight times, unemployment has run rampant, his capos blocked traffic for political retribution, the Sandy rebuilding effort remains pathetic, he's raided pensions after promising not to, his abominable Exxon settlement [he signed an agreement that let Exxon off the hook for pennies on the multi-billion dollar, clean-up costs for toxic waste damage calculated by the environmental agency.]

Three months ago a poll of NJ citizens revealed that by 65% to 29% they think he would not make a good president.  The glib Christie's response?    "A lot of that 65% say that because they don't want me to leave to run for president;  they want me to stay in New Jersey."

Personally, I think Christie is a blowhard with an ego larger than his waist size who talks a great game -- and performs miserably for the people, even if pretty well for his cronies.

But here's the biggest reason why Christie's entry in the race is something of a joke.  Quoting Stewart again:

"Here's your real problem, governor. . . . It's not that New Jerseyans love you too much to let you go;   it's that you've already finished second in the loud, Northeastern egomaniac primary."

His first hurdle is certainly going to be to change the narrative that lumps him and Trump in the same category of loud-mouth buffoon.   Just being associated in people's minds with Donald Trump as "loud, Northeastern egomaniacs" is going to hurt Christie. 

After all, unlike Trump who doesn't seem to care if people think he's a jerk and a kook, Christie  needs to convince people that he is a serious, bold leader.   He has to overcome the impression that he is a bully with a shady and unsuccessful economic record as governor.   He can't afford to be tainted as a kook.

Ralph