WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Chris Christie had barely learned the secret Statehouse passage to his new office in Trenton when Republican leaders in Iowa began asking him to appear in the Hawkeye State, where they hold first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses every four years. Over and over, the political newcomer who had just won the governorship in a Democratic-leaning...
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie becomes animated when he speaks about the contributions the NJEA was asked to make its members contribute for their own health benefits as he speaks to a crowd of more than 700 at a fundraiser dinner for Iowa GOP gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad in Des Moines, Iowa. WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Chris Christie had barely learned the secret Statehouse passage to his new office in Trenton when Republican leaders in Iowa began asking him to appear in the Hawkeye State, where they hold first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses every four years.
Over and over, the political newcomer who had just won the governorship in a Democratic-leaning state demurred, saying he was too busy.
Now, nine months into his term and riding a wave of party popularity, Christie has found the time. He landed here today with his wife and entourage, and with the touchdown of his chartered jet, the freshman Republican governor parachuted into the frenzy of midterm elections while toying with questions about whether he really means it when he says he’s not interested in running for president or vice president in two years.
Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of 800 tonight in a fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad, Christie pitched the Republican Party — and candidly said the GOP didn’t live up to its principles in past years.
"It is put-up or shut-up time for the Republican Party," he said in a 37-minute speech. "We lost our way a number of years ago. We did. We became tax-and-spend light. They’re tired of being disappointed. They’re tired of politicians telling them one thing and doing another ... Electing Republican governors on Nov. 2 is the single surest way to bring overnight change to our country."
Branstad, a former Iowa governor who is favored to win his old job back, added another quote to Christie’s Republican reviews on the New Jerseyan’s cross-country tour for GOP candidates, calling him "a model for what a Republican governor and Republican leader can do."
After his speech, Christie was peppered with questions about his plans and the Iowa caucuses.
"I’ve made myself really clear on my position about that," he said. "I’m governor of New Jersey, I’m not going to run for national office. I’m here because Terry Branstad asked me to come."
Iowa Republicans who will hold their presidential caucus in February 2012 have gotten early looks at Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, 2008 presidential aspirant Mitt Romney, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Last month, Sarah Palin gave something of a coming-out speech to hundreds at the annual Reagan Dinner in downtown Des Moines.
Christie insists he is taking no part in any of that, saying his stop in Iowa is part of his tour to pitch "like-minded" Republican candidates on the ballot Nov. 2.
Those who know the game, however, say Christie’s strategy is tried, true and nowhere near secret.
"I call this the ‘deal-me-in hand,’" said David Yepsen, a longtime Iowa political reporter who now runs the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute in Carbondale, Ill. "These guys are saying ‘I’m not sure I want to play yet, but at least I want to see what it’s like.’"
Tonight, the crowd of party faithful left the event buzzing about Christie and his future plans.
"It was really inspirational," said Mike Miller of Marshalltown, Iowa. "It makes you want to get up and get to work for not only our candidates in Iowa but for whatever Chris Christie wants to do in the future."
Before landing in Iowa, Christie stumped in Wisconsin and had an interview with local conservative talk radio host Charlie Sykes, who praised him for taking on New Jersey public employee and seeking to stem pension and health benefit costs.
"People need to understand that governors need to stand up and say enough on taxing and enough on spending," said Christie, who recounted his battles with Democrats who control the New Jersey Legislature and the leadership of the state’s largest teachers union, who he called a "privileged class."
Once in the Des Moines area, the governor made handful of stops in shotgun fashion, lending his support to Branstad, who faces Democratic incumbent Chet Culver. Branstad tonight said Christie had drawn backers to "the most successful fundraising event I’ve ever had in all my races for governor."
The New Jersey governor returned to the national political circuit even as his administration was dealing with problems back in Trenton. Christie is battling with the Democrats who control the state Legislature over pension reform, highway-construction financing, continuing questions about the loss of $400 million in federal school aid, and the future of a proposed commuter-train tunnel into Manhattan.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) this week began hammering Christie’s travels.
"Voters in California or viewers on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show,’ where Christie has appeared in recent days, don’t know the real story behind the governor’s claims," Sweeney wrote in a "Dear Neighbor" e-mail to supporters Sunday. In an interview today, Sweeney criticized Christie for talking up a "Jersey miracle" even as property tax rebates have been slashed and property taxes in some communities are going up.
"The state’s economy is a train wreck at it’s getting worse," Sweeney said. "What is this governor doing to get his house in order? He’s running for higher office."
Staff writer Matt Friedman contributed to this report.