For many New Jersey Democrats, a 'Chris Christie for President' campaign will remain a dream deferred
TRENTON — For many New Jersey Democrats, a "Chris Christie for President" campaign will remain a dream deferred.
While Republicans across the country were chomping at the bit for a Christie campaign, some Democrats in his home state were quietly keeping their fingers crossed.
As the voice of the state GOP and its hands-on leader, Christie has personally inserted himself in every battle in the state, from the education policy to redistricting. A presidential campaign, Christie himself admitted, would have taken him away from the state and those fights.
Christie put an end to that dream on Tuesday when he announced that he won’t run for president, possibly directing his remarks at Democrats when he said, "Like it or not, you’re stuck with me."
Even with a hint of a possible Christie run, Democrats were sharpening their criticism of him for being out of the state, a point they would have driven home had he actually run.
"We would have had an absentee landlord as governor," said Assemblyman John Wisniewski, chairman of the state Democratic Committee.
"In practice, he would be a governor going from New Hampshire to Iowa and points in between to raise money and get votes."
Had Christie run and won, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno would have held the office until the next election. Some from both sides of the political aisle agree that would have left the race wide open.
Political experts have also warned that if Christie ran and lost, it could leave him more vulnerable to a challenger when he is expected to stand for re-election for governor in 2013.
State Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) said the "prevailing wisdom" is a Christie campaign would have positioned Democrats to be more competitive in the next gubernatorial campaign.
"But I’m the greatest example of one day in politics in a lifetime," said Codey, suddenly found himself as New Jersey’s chief executive after Gov. James E. McGreevey resigned in 2004.
With Christie on the campaign trail, Democrats, who control the Legislature, might have also been able to capitalize on his absence by disregarding or defeating most of his agenda. They would also have a different cast, including Guadagno, to work with to hammer out a budget.
And while Christie would still control the veto pen, Codey said Democrats might have been more successful in culling GOP support to override those decisions. "It would have put a lot less pressure on Republicans on how they vote," Codey said.
Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) agreed New Jersey Republicans would be weaker if Christie had launched a presidential run.
"Certainly, the Republicans don’t have in New Jersey, at least, anyone of his popularity. And certainly, if you’re out of state that would detract from his effectiveness in New Jersey," he said. "I have great respect for the lieutenant governor but she’s no Chris Christie."
Tom Wilson, a Republican lobbyist and former state party chairman, said he’s relieved Christie isn’t running.
"I don’t think anybody was shy about being a little bit selfish," he said. "There is only one Chris Christie. He is the dominant force in politics and government in New Jersey. There’s no replacing him."
Wisniewski said Christie’s flirting with a run already raises questions about the legislation he’s trying to advance.
"It raises the prospect in every agenda he brings forward as to whether that agenda is being brought forward because he thinks it’s in the best interest of New Jersey or is he doing it for the Koch brothers," he said, referring to wealthy Republican donors David and Charles Koch.
It’s also possible the governor’s high profile will prompt Democrats, that have worked with him at times, to be more aggressive, said Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) — who have had recent spats with the governor — will now face pressure from national Democrats eager to tarnish Christie’s image, Murray said.
"The issue is Democrats are worried about him in the future as a rising star. They’re going to put pressure on Democrats here to take him down a peg," he said.
By Ginger Gibson and Matt Friedman/Statehouse Bureau Staff