2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumGovernor Chris Christie Wants To Be President. Here’s How He Hurt New Jersey
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ThinkProgress
While the two-term governor and former chair of the Republican Governors Association gained a national reputation early in his tenure for his brash demeanor and tendency to say whatever comes to mind, his leadership of the Garden State should be a better indication of how he would lead the country.
Christies administration drew widespread criticism when it closed lanes on the George Washington Bridge as an act of retribution against the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee who refused to endorse the governors re-election bid. Christie continues to maintain that he was not involved, although aides have said he was aware of the incident that caused massive traffic jams and impeded public safety for a week. Earlier this year, one of the governors closest allies plead guilty to participating in the scheme, admitting the actions were taken as retribution, and two others faced charges. Christie has also been targeted for scrapping a tunnel project which would have alleviated New Jersey residents commutes, just because he did not want to raise the gas tax.
While Christies scandals have dominated the headlines, many have paid little attention to his actual track record as the chief executive of New Jersey. But he has very few actual accomplishments in his state to highlight on the campaign trail after winning reelection by a wide margin, a recent poll found that two-thirds of New Jersey residents think Christies accomplishments for the state have been minor or minimal and his approval rating recently reached an all-time low.
New Jerseys economy has taken a hit since Christie assumed office. The current 6.5 percent unemployment rate in New Jersey is worse than the national average and the states long-term unemployed rate is worse than 48 states. In his five years in the governors mansion, the states credit rating fell nine times, making it the second worst among the states.
He also reduced the earned income tax credit and vetoed legislation that would raise the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour, calling the legislation truly ridiculous before voters approved an increase in November.
Christie has also driven the state to the brink of a pension disaster. ...
More
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/06/30/3616056/christie-announcement/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tptop3
Kudos for your "why the GOP sucks" posts. Keep up the good work.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)Something about not fitting into the clown car
TexasTowelie
(112,132 posts)Statement of Purpose
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