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June 26, 2011

"You earn political capital in order to spend it to achieve big things."

Monique Chartier

Now here's a concept too often missing in politics. It was spoken by the Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, on the Today Show Friday. (Lauer was interviewing the Dreamy One about the public pension and health bill just passed by the NJ Assembly.)

Matt Lauer: Your approval rating -- 47% of the people in New Jersey disapprove right now of the job that Chris Christie is doing in the state. Simply go with the territory?

Gov Chris Christie: Yes. You earn political capital in order to spend it to achieve big things. And what makes what happened in New Jersey different than what happened in other places is, we did it in a bipartisan way. This is not just a Republican plan or a Democratic plan. It's a bipartisan plan where we compromised to put the people first, Matt. This is ... the taxpayer is going to be saved $130 billion over the next thirty years.

"You earn political capital in order to spend it to achieve big things." Like saving public pensions. Like not viewing tax dollars as monopoly money, to be casually spent and mandated on budget items of dubious public (in the broader sense) benefit. Like creating a business climate that doesn't chase the golden-egg-laying goose around with a tax-and-fee hatchet but rather, welcomes businesses - and jobs - to the state.

Like focusing your legislative efforts on putting "the people first" and your own re-election second. In the end, is there any point to getting re-elected if you are not achieving big things?

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Comments

Never give up the dream, but steel yourself for the reality!

Posted by: John at June 26, 2011 2:33 PM

"In the end, is there any point to getting re-elected if you are not achieving big things?"

Of course there is! I wonder what premiums (both in fees and in favors) a sitting legislator can command in the courtroom as an attorney. I'm sure it's a bit of a 'force-multiplier'.

Posted by: mangeek at June 26, 2011 3:50 PM

Not to worry-real pension reform is coming to RI in October...
really.

Posted by: Tommy Cranston at June 26, 2011 7:08 PM

Dreamy one?
I think he is Gordo Gordo....

The Political Capital thing? That came right from GW Bush, who said it after his 2004 election. See recent history for the results.

Apparently the "dreamy one" thinks that being a dictator is the charge of a person once elected.

Interesting how we have seen the same people who now dismiss polls - champion them when it is suits their aims. Pols do matter - not just power, as you seem to indicate.

Posted by: Gordon at June 30, 2011 9:35 PM