Chris Christie Will Run.

[Lunar]

Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, who won accolades for taking on political corruption in New Jersey, announced today that he intends to run for governor against Democrat Jon Corzine.

Christie, a Republican, announced he will file election papers today, and plans a formal announcement in early February. He resigned as U.S. Attorney last December.

"I did not take this step lightly," Christie wrote in a statement. "It was only after careful consideration and consultation with my family that I decided to become a candidate."

Republicans believe Christie offers them the best chance to win the governorship in over a decade, despite running a Democratic-leaning state that has traditionally frustrated the GOP.  The Garden State hasn't elected a Republican governor since Christie Todd Whitman won her second term in 1997.

“He’s a credible guy who has put together an admirable record as a US attorney,” one New Jersey GOP operative. “Beyond the political corruption, he’s acted on terrorism, corporate polluters and corporate greed. When they get to that narrative, they’ll see a guy with a compelling record.

Christie will face a financial disadvantage against the wealthy Corzine, who spent over $40 million of his own money into the 2005 gubernatorial race. He also faces a primary challenge against conservative activist Steve Lonegan and state Assemblyman Rick Merkt..

Christie made a handful of national media appearances in the wake of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s arrest on corruption charges, where he spoke out against the culture of corruption in Illinois.

New Jersey will be at the center of the political universe in the off-year election cycle, with only the Virginia governor’s race offering competition for the public attention.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0109/Republicans_land_top_Corzine_challenger.html?showall

[Lunar]

Never in my life has a political story ever made me so excited.  Say what you want, but this man will be the next governor of the state of New Jersey.  I just want to launch a website so I can start helping his campaign today

Well, you can campaign for him without starting a website.

I think you're pretty god damned optimistic.  Christie is a great candidate, but New Jersey is probably the most expensive state per capita to campaign in.  It's no joke to run ads simultaneously in Phillie & NYC but only reaching a small number of the people you're trying to reach for every million dollars you spend.

Corzine isn't exactly a popular governor, but he's popular enough that his incumbency and finances should give him a slight edge.  I mean, it's very difficult to defeat an incumbent in a state that favors the opposite party unless said incumbent is horrible.

[Lunar]

Why is website photo so horrible?

http://www.christiefornj.com/

lol, I've been a part of such websites before.  That's just a temp job designed to give an outlet for donors/email subscribers until their professional website designer finishes his job.

[Lunar]

This is my bellweather for 2009.  If Corzine loses this race, it will signal that the wind has shifted from the Democrats backs to their faces and strongly so.  This is a state that Democrats do not lose in these days unless something is seriously wrong. 

I don't like that analysis.  Christie is an exceptional candidate who has great success on every issue -- honestly, I'd be likely to vote for him too.  It's hardly representative of the national mood.   Especially in an off-year.

Even if the Republicans are surging, Corzine could easily win reelection too simply by outspending his opponent.

To me, this race is almost the opposite of the bellweather.  Just because it has the potential to be close doesn't mean it will indicate anything for 2010.  2009 is an off year


For something to be a representative bellweather, it'd have to involve a generic D vs. a generic R under something that looks like (or can be compared to) generic conditions.  This is not

[Lunar]

I still don't see how you can presume something national if the perfect GOP candidate for the state wins in an off-year election.  It seems awfully, awfully cocky to read anything into how New Jersey goes either way and I, for one, will not fall into that trap.  I mean, it's a Democratic state, but so are Rhode Island, Connecticut, & Vermont, but they all have Republican governors. 

[Lunar]

I think another good question is the public's perception in New Jersey that the state needs to be cleaned up by a clean lawyer.  Obviously in the 90's, crime issues were key industries for the GOP political machine, and I suspect that they may still be alive in New Jersey.

I attempted to look up his net worth but I got nothing.  He spent 40 million four years ago, I can't imagine he's lost more than 10-20% of his wealth, meaning he'll have plenty to spend.

If Corzine is serious about being reelected, it's hard for me to imagine him not outspending Christie significantly.

[Lunar]

I have a feeling this race will turn into one of those where no one on the forum (spare Conan) is supporting Corzine.  In fact, 99% of people with an IQ above 30 would not if not for blind partisanship

Because of that statement, I am now supporting Corzine

xLunar

[Lunar]

You forgot to mention "jolly beard" in your description of Corzine

[Lunar]

yeah but  if you're going to literally worship Christie as some sort of God, I'd rather have him crushed.  I care more about how annoying this forum is than how New Jersey is governed

Thus I support Corzine