The Off Topic Topic

[derspiess]

I figured he'd try to re-brand himself as a bona fide conservative once he got this re-election under his belt, but it sounds like he's already making noises to that effect. 

What are his conservative heresies so far?

Embrace of Obamacare, gay marriage, that silly anti-bullying bill, gun control, immigration, climate change.

There is room for genuine conservatives to disagree on one or two of these things, but not this many.  That said, I'm willing to give him a second chance and at least listen to him make his case for being a conservative.  Hell, I supported McCain in the 2008 primaries. 

And if he's smart, he'll explain to the GOP that his not-so-conservative positions need to be viewed in the context of New Jersey, that he had to make some compromises in order to remain as governor and get his fiscal agenda pushed through, and that he would not necessarily govern that way from the federal level. 

As I say the guys got genuine conservative achievements - policies and programs implemented in government - but for some reason that matters less than rhetorical flourish.

He'd make an excellent Cameron-style Tory, that's for sure.

[Sheilbh]

Embrace of Obamacare, gay marriage, that silly anti-bullying bill, gun control, immigration, climate change.

You'll need to unpack some of those for me. How's he embraced Obamacare? He vetoed a bill implementing it so New Jersey's on the Federal system - just like most Republican governors.

I thought his position on gay marriage was that he opposed it - with vetos and to the courts - and wanted a referendum, but supports civil unions. What more can he do?

He acknowledges climate change exists and is manmade but that's it. He pulled New Jersey out of that voluntary states program to reduce emissions. Is even acknowledging climate change now beyond the Republican pale?

Immigration I'll give you - though his views there are, from what I know, around the level of Perry who was a putative conservative saviour. I don't know about the rest.

Hell, I supported McCain in the 2008 primaries. 

God you're bold!

And if he's smart, he'll explain to the GOP that his not-so-conservative positions need to be viewed in the context of New Jersey, that he had to make some compromises in order to remain as governor and get his fiscal agenda pushed through, and that he would not necessarily govern that way from the federal level. 

If he's smart he'll say he's governed a blue state. He's won two elections, the second of which he received the fourth highest percentage of the vote any Republican candidate has ever received from that state. He's pushed through a conservative agenda on fiscal issues, on public services reform, on taxes and (to a limited extent) on life issues. He's got achievements, he should crow about them - not abjectly pretend that entertaining pundits like Cruz are the real conservatives.

He'd make an excellent Cameron-style Tory, that's for sure.

No he wouldn't. He's too working class

[garbon]

Oh good from the unofficial election results page, New York voted the following:

Authorize Casinos - Yes
Grant additional civil service credits to disable veterans - Yes
Allow sewage facilities to remain outside of debt calculations for city budgets - Yes
Something about private ownership of parts of Adirondack forest - Yes
Exchange forestland to NYCO minerals to allow them to mine - Yes
Allow state judges to serve over the age of 70 - No

I only vote the same for points 1 and 6.

[Grey Fox]

Oh good from the unofficial election results page, New York voted the following:

Authorize Casinos - Yes
Grant additional civil service credits to disable veterans - Yes
Allow sewage facilities to remain outside of debt calculations for city budgets - Yes
Something about private ownership of parts of Adirondack forest - Yes
Exchange forestland to NYCO minerals to allow them to mine - Yes
Allow state judges to serve over the age of 70 - No

I only vote the same for points 1 and 6.

Something about private ownership of parts of Adirondack forest - Yes - This is a very good thing, that region needs the tourism the development will bring to the area.

[derspiess]

You'll need to unpack some of those for me. How's he embraced Obamacare? He vetoed a bill implementing it so New Jersey's on the Federal system - just like most Republican governors.

He did a sort of about-face on it: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/christies-obamacare-move-dicey-for-2016-election-88140.html

To be fair, he's not the only one.  Kasich is drawing fire from the GOP in Ohio for doing the same thing.

I thought his position on gay marriage was that he opposed it - with vetos and to the courts - and wanted a referendum, but supports civil unions. What more can he do?

He threw in the towel a little too early.  It's not a huge deal to me, but for other conservatives it is.

He acknowledges climate change exists and is manmade but that's it. He pulled New Jersey out of that voluntary states program to reduce emissions. Is even acknowledging climate change now beyond the Republican pale?

He's trying to play both sides on this one.  And as I mentioned, there is room for conservatives to disagree on a point here or there.

Immigration I'll give you - though his views there are, from what I know, around the level of Perry who was a putative conservative saviour. I don't know about the rest.

Don't mention Perry.  Please, just don't

[derspiess]

Grant additional civil service credits to disable veterans - Yes

  Haven't veterans been through enough already??

[Admiral Yi]

Why are so many places having big elections in an off year?  Is this when they always hold elections?

[DGuller]

Why are so many places having big elections in an off year?  Is this when they always hold elections?

Yes for NYC mayoral race and NJ governorship race, at least.  I guess some time ago a decision was made to offset them from the big ticket general elections.

[derspiess]

I remember my flight and everyone else's into EWR getting delayed 4 years ago because Obama decided to do some last minute campaigning for Corzine.  Made Christie's win that much sweeter.

[DGuller]

Meh.  Christie got lucky that he ran against Corzine the first time.  Corzine has got to be the most incompetent smart man alive, and New Jersey was fed up with him.  Of course, once Christie got the job, he took the opportunity to become much more than the guy who was there to take the governorship that Corzine pissed away.

[Admiral Yi]

Meh.  Christie got lucky that he ran against Corzine the first time.  Corzine has got to be the most incompetent smart man alive, and New Jersey was fed up with him.  Of course, once Christie got the job, he took the opportunity to become much more than the guy who was there to take the governorship that Corzine pissed away.

You're like a walking Moveon ad.  Centrist Republicans that appeal to moderates get the most heat.

[DGuller]

Meh.  Christie got lucky that he ran against Corzine the first time.  Corzine has got to be the most incompetent smart man alive, and New Jersey was fed up with him.  Of course, once Christie got the job, he took the opportunity to become much more than the guy who was there to take the governorship that Corzine pissed away.

You're like a walking Moveon ad.  Centrist Republicans that appeal to moderates get the most heat.

Don't be a cunt.

[Ed Anger]

I just dropped a foot long turd. I feel better! 

[Admiral Yi]

Don't be a cunt.

Don't take offense at the truth.  The other national Republican you had a thing for was Guliani.

[garbon]

I just dropped a foot long turd. I feel better! 

Please stick to your thread.