Moe was ahead of the curve and discussed New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s budget speech to the state legislature here. But all who have not yet seen the entire speech should run - not walk - to see it in its entirety.
Video can be found here. Text will be posted after the jump.
It is difficult to describe the extent to which New Jersey is a Democratic machine state. This was a speech delivered to a hostile Democratic-controlled legislature smarting from Christie’s decisive victory in November. Yet the new governor minced no words, and offered no quarter. He went directly at the Democrats and their entrenched and entitled interests that have for years used state coffers as their own personal slush fund, nearly bankrupting New Jersey in the process. And he challenged them to join him in changing the way Trenton does business, or be exposed to the harsh light of the truth.
This speech should be required viewing for every Republican seeking office in 2010, both candidates for governorships and legislative seats at the federal and state level alike. The actions Governor Christie describes taking to balance the state budget are conservative leadership on display - the kind of leadership the Republican Party, and the nation at large, has been searching for in vain since November of 2008. There will be much more to hear from Governor Christie in the weeks and months ahead, and not just on the budget. With this speech, he has thrust himself onto the national scene in a way that even his upset victory could not. Republicans have a new rising star in the Governor of New Jersey.
Dan Spencer
JadedByPolitics
streiff redstate
Exurban Jon
Jeff Emanuel
Dan McLaughlin
