End of Honeymoon for Christie?

[Keystone Phil]

This is the end of the honeymoon? Px, honestly, you have to do much better than this. It's really pathetic on your part. I love how your editorializing (bringing me up in the opening line, no less!) is your way of simply "reporting."

I really think people are just looking for reasons not to like him. 

Px has an obsessive hatred with him. Still not exactly sure what it's about but he makes it his mission to blast him every chance he gets and pulls me into it as well.

I think he probably just can't stand the fact that Christie is popular and can't easily tear him apart (like people can do with Palin). He's seen as a threat so his haters have to nitpick.

I never got the buzz about Christie. He just seems like a typical Republican. Just because the Democratic party in that state is kind of sleazy doesn't automatically improve him.

"Kind of sleazy." Yeah, that's it. "Kind of."

[Keystone Phil]

On a related note, I'm going to his town hall tomorrow morning! I can't wait!

[Keystone Phil]

I don't see anything noble and admirable when a man of power is terrorizing or ridiculing ordinary citizens, with the help of state troopers.

These "ordinary citizens" are fighting with him just as he's fighting with them. They know what they're getting themselves into. They want to do it. They want to try to trip him up, too. So he ends up owning them and everyone that doesn't like him politically whines that he's a bully. Give me a break.

[Keystone Phil]

I don't see anything noble and admirable when a man of power is terrorizing or ridiculing ordinary citizens, with the help of state troopers.

These "ordinary citizens" are fighting with him just as he's fighting with them. They know what they're getting themselves into. They want to do it. They want to try to trip him up, too. So he ends up owning them and everyone that doesn't like him politically whines that he's a bully. Give me a break.

It's pretty easy to "own" someone when you refuse to give him the microphone to answer and then order the state troopers to take him off stage.

He's owned plenty of people in the past. This one wanted to hold things up so he cut it off. Big deal.

Honestly, this sympathy for the "ordinary citizens" is laughable. They know what they're doing. They go there with the intention of tripping up the Governor. They have to deal with the consequences.

I almost hope he yells at me tomorrow even though I agree with him! It would be an honor.

[Keystone Phil]

I don't see anything noble and admirable when a man of power is terrorizing or ridiculing ordinary citizens, with the help of state troopers.

These "ordinary citizens" are fighting with him just as he's fighting with them. They know what they're getting themselves into. They want to do it. They want to try to trip him up, too. So he ends up owning them and everyone that doesn't like him politically whines that he's a bully. Give me a break.

It's pretty easy to "own" someone when you refuse to give him the microphone to answer and then order the state troopers to take him off stage.

He's owned plenty of people in the past. This one wanted to hold things up so he cut it off. Big deal.

Honestly, this sympathy for the "ordinary citizens" is laughable. They know what they're doing. They go there with the intention of tripping up the Governor. They have to deal with the consequences.

I almost hope he yells at me tomorrow even though I agree with him! It would be an honor.

So your argument is this:
"It's their fault being bullied because they have the nerve to ask unpleasant questions.
If they only agreed with him then he would be much more kind with them".
Sounds very democratic.

You really are horrific at twisting words.

I said that they go there with the intention of screwing with him. They and everyone else know what they are getting themselves into. Christie is giving them what they dish out.

You try to have it only your way. Of course they aren't being unfair to Christie! He's just being a big meanie. Get a clue.

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Of course you do considering the fact that your country is in chaos. If they didn't respect the obnoxious, they'd be violently overthrown.

[Keystone Phil]

The guy asked a legitimate question in a respectful manner. Where did you see that he wanted to "screw" Christie?

Maybe this guy in particular wasn't but he chose to engage the Governor. He knew what he was getting into. I'm not going to weep for the guy.

And frankly I don't know if Christie is really is that big a prick or if he just follows the instructions of his advisers to cultivate the image of a "strong leader" who's not afraid to show his disdain for all those "damn libruls".

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Yeah because you know I hate anything to do with Europe. Good one.

By the way, I love how Thatcher now isn't a bully. Compare her to a guard at a Nazi concentration camp? Sure. But a bully? Oh, no, no, no. 


And do me a favor: when you choose to engage me, don't attribute certain characteristics to me that are totally unrelated. I don't go off about "the librul media" so don't try to make me out to be some dumbed down chest beating conservative.

[Keystone Phil]

Also: lol @ the idea of Christie being president. This might sound shallow but do really think that Americans would vote for a fat man to be the face of America around the world? I mean it might not be a campaign issue out in the open for the media to discuss but it would be everywhere on the interwebs.

New Jersey is one of the thinnest states in the country, if I recall correctly. Let them attack him for his weight. Not sure that would be the best idea considering how many people are overweight in this country.

Isn't that the duty of every active citizen? Should he cower in fear instead?
Since when challenging our elected officials is something that needs to be met with disdain and bullying?
Unless of course discouraging questioning from voters is Christie's point and that poor guy didn't get the message from his previous antics.

There was a back and forth, px, so please stop making this guy out to be some poor victim. He wanted to keep it going, knowing how Christie would respond.

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You aren't aware of that pretty well known insult? She was compared to a Nazi concentration camp guard.

Well this has certainly been a productive conversation...

It was never going to be productive. Px just loves to attack the guy every chance he gets, blowing minor incidents out of proportion, hoping it's the downfall of Christie.

[Keystone Phil]

I really think people are just looking for reasons not to like him.  New Jersey still likes him and desperately needs him.  We have a more effective government than we have in decades.  Not perfect by any means, but better beyond compare.  People aren't going to agree with a lot of what he does, but everybody respects the fact that he's doing what he said he was going to do.  He's good and people are afraid of that.  And this is coming from a New Jerseyan who didn't even vote for him.

I thought I remembered you saying you did vote for him?

Regardless though, I agree with what you said. Christie is definitely a massive improvement.

He probably voted for him in the General (though I could see him voting for Daggett). He voted for his State Assemblyman, Rick Merkt, in the primary.

[Keystone Phil]

Also: lol @ the idea of Christie being president. This might sound shallow but do really think that Americans would vote for a fat man to be the face of America around the world? I mean it might not be a campaign issue out in the open for the media to discuss but it would be everywhere on the interwebs.

New Jersey is one of the thinnest states in the country, if I recall correctly. Let them attack him for his weight. Not sure that would be the best idea considering how many people are overweight in this country.

No real campaign is going to attack him over his weight but countless jokes are going to be made about it
if he runs.

Like it didn't happen when he was running for Governor. Sure, now there would be a national audience but it could just as easily backfire.

 

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Yeah, last time I checked, Obama won. Great comparison!

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And they wouldn't vote for a fat man over an unpopular President (assuming he remains unpopular)? Your arguments here are painfully awful. Seriously.

There was a back and forth? The horrors!!!

You're the one acting like Christie smacked the guy's children or something, not me.

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Same goes for special interests and Christie is taking them (teachers' unions, for example) on. Of course, by doing so, he's a "bully." Oh well.

[Keystone Phil]

Why do you act like such of a dick when you argue with others? Honestly, you barely refuted my points. There's no need to treat politicians like idols. This is just analysis. This isn't me personally insulting Christie, even though I do think he is a goon.

I refuted all of your points. You're the one bringing up irrelevant points "There's no need to treat politicians like idols." Ok?

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And there's more to personality than weight.

By the way, if the economy still sucks in 2012, good luck trying to get anyone to buy your "analysis" here. They'll vote for someone that weighs literally a ton over Obama.

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Wow. You are clueless. Yeah, I bet the majority of Americans that are overweight wouldn't be pissed off or anything and maybe end up voting for the guy!

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Actually, I do look outside of the political bubble. I believe Christie's weight would be an issue but it wouldn't be as important as you think.

 

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Uh, plenty of people like that about him. He's popular as a conservative Republican in New Jersey. Maybe that fighter personality works for some people.

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I didn't say they were awful. If things stay the same, he'll certainly be much more unpopular but I'm not saying that that's a guarantee. I'm a big believer in "anything can happen."

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Ok and what the hell does that matter? Kid, honestly, do you even know what you're saying while you're typing?

[Keystone Phil]

LOL!
I act in "horror" because I don't like it when politicians harass and bully ordinary people who happen to disagree with them.
You act in horror because the poor guy had the nerve to question your favorite Governor's infallibility. 
I think the difference is pretty stark.

Still not admitting that people go there to screw with the Governor/bully him themselves. Typical.

I'm not horrified at all by people questioning him. I love it. So do most people especially his fans. It's a reason why we like him so much.

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Then stop commenting on New Jersey politics. Seriously. If you don't think teachers' unions are powerful in New Jersey, then you really are naive.

Calm down with the rhetoric, too.

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And yet he has a 51% approval rating after predictions that he would plummet mid way through the year. 51% in New Jersey is like mid 60% everywhere else. This is the state where a 35% approval rating gets you re-elected.

[Keystone Phil]

1)LOL at the notion that an ordinary citizen can bully a sitting Governor, much more someone like Christie.

Ah, so the government shouldn't fear the citizens, eh? Thanks for the silly V quote though.

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He was dismissed because there was a back and forth. He had his say. The town hall must go on, px.

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Again, the exaggerations. I guess I should appreciate it because it's a clear sign that you're in the wrong.

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I never said they agreed with all of his positions. You decided to bring it up because you had to move the goal posts. He's popular even as people disagree with him. That must really piss you off.

[Keystone Phil]

Man, that's too easy. You've lost your form. Wake me up when you come up with a decent response.

So you didn't mean what you said. Got it. Shouldn't have made it so easy for me.

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That's what security does at any event with a high ranking elected official, my friend.

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Right and judging by election results in school board races last year and his approval ratings, people don't have much of a problem with it.

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Because Christie is a real player, that's why. He has a stronger following than the others. He's a threat and you and many others know it. Every time he's mentioned, you jump. You have to bash him.

This is politics, my friend. There are plenty of attention whores and there are plenty of bullies. I think you fear Christie but there must be something else, too, to explain this obsessive hatred. Not quite sure what it is but I hope to find out.

[Keystone Phil]

1)I meant what I said. It's you that missed the point.

Your point was that ordinary citizens can't threaten politicians...yet you said the politicians ought to fear them. You can't have it both ways.

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Joe Miller didn't engage in a discussion of any kind with the journalist. Christie did converse with the individual and simply had him escorted off stage. Standard procedure. You lose (again) and have to resort to a terrible comparison.

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Ok, well I do and those results speak louder than your poll that said people want to spend more on education. That's a horrifically vague question. I'm sure the same poll showed 66% favored free hugs.

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They don't get nearly the same amount of attention.

The only time I remember McDonnell being mentioned as a Presidential candidate was by me awhile ago. I've never seen it anywhere else.

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Bold statement. Now feel free to comment on the tons of other bullies in politics and stop obsessing over one of them. Thanks.

[Keystone Phil]

Politicians being afraid of the people doesn't mean they should be threatened with physical violence. There are other ways for the voters to show their disapproval and displeasure you know other than beating up or killing the elected officials with which they disagree.

Moving the goal posts again. I never said anything about physical violence. Neither did you. That doesn't mean they can't feel threatened.

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Ok? Relevance?

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Wrong again -> Ok, what do I do now? -> Definitely time to up the rhetoric!

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Or any of the, oh, thousands of other politicians. I won't hold my breath.

[Keystone Phil]

1)Threatened how? That the citizen might have bad breath? That he might want to come close to steal their wallet?
I don't understand.

You can't bully someone with words. Isn't that what Christie's doing? That's what you find so outrageous here. And don't hide behind the State Trooper issue either. You've been complaining that he's a bully because of what he says way before that.

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You can't end up ripping a rude individual while conversing with them? What? 

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Ok so they're low key. That means neither individual is as much of a player as Christie. Again, stop putting words in my mouth (I never said they are doing a worse job) and moving the goal posts. You change the story around so much that you forget your original point, which was that Daniels and McDonnell deserve to be considered "players" more so than Christie.

Daniels and McDonnell aren't real stars in the party. Christie is.

[Keystone Phil]

1)Except that the guy didn't bully Christie with his words. He respectfully disagreed and questioned the wisdom of his policies.
And as I mentioned, if you respect the politician and don't invade his personal matters then what's wrong with some tough questioning?

There's nothing wrong with tough questioning. I'm just explaining why he was escorted off the stage. He wasn't going to be able to do a back and forth with the Governor for the entire town hall.

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"Ripping," in this sense, means that the Governor "made a point/proved the other guy was wrong." Any politician's staff would say that their boss did that. Please don't tell me you're outraged over the word choice.

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Not really and definitely not as much as Christie. In fact, McDonnell was all anyone talked about after 2009 while Christie played second fiddle. The roles are clearly reversed now. You hardly ever hear about McDonnell.

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Again, moving those goal posts...

[Keystone Phil]

Px, you'll be happy to know that today's town hall was uneventful which was a bit of a disappointment but still very enjoyable.    Christie was very kind, too, so don't worry about consoling any traumatized New Jerseyans.