Born: September 6, 1962 (age 47), Newark, New Jersey

Spouse(s): Mary Pat Christie

Children : Andrew, Sarah, Patrick, and Bridget.

Residence : Mendham Township, New Jersey

Alma mater: University of Delaware, Seton Hall Law School

Religion: Roman Catholic

Profession: Attorney

(Click here for Christie’s White House 2012 page)

Governor Christie decided not to run for President in part because he felt that this was not the time for him to do so and also because he wants to see through with his committment to the people of New Jersey who elected him two years ago.  Logic would dictate that those same reasons would apply to accepting a spot on the presidential ticket as Vice President.   But stranger things have happened and if Christie seems to be the magic elixir for an apprehensive electorate that wants a strong fiscal conservative who stands up to the establishment, then the pressure to run will be put on Christie.    In the end I still don’t see him accepting the nomination. Besides, it should also be noted that even if he were on the ticket, Christie is unlikely to have the ability to deliver New Jersey’s electoral votes to Romney.

But for reasons that are obvious, he will be at least said to be on the short list.

Pros:

• His hard hitting, say it like it is, approach is viewed as politically courageous and refreshing.
• He is far from what anyone can call a career politician
• He has appeal in a region of the nation that Republicans are likely to lose big
• He has positive national name ID
• He would energize much of the conservative base and even some of the T.E.A. activists
• He could make Joe Biden look like a comedic sidekick
• Christie’s presence on the ticket could force the Obama-Biden campaign to invest more time and money in the state than they anticipate

Cons:

• He has only been in office for almost three years
• Even if he is on the ticket, Christie may not even be able to carry New Jersey for Romney
• Christie has not been fully vetted yet and under intense scrutiny his clean record may be tarnished by some minor political indescretions
• Conservatives leery of Romney will not appreciate what some may consider two Northeast Moderates on the ticket

My Assessment:

Christie is certainly a viable option.  However his two most appealing qualities, his bluntness and and his newness on the political stage, may be the very same things that cause Mitt Romney to look elsewhere.  That in addition to both men being known as Governors from the liberal  Northeast could make several other candidates from outside the Northeast much more attractive to the Romney campaign.  But Christie’s ability to inspire and energize the base might just be what Mitt Romney needs to help avoid any McCain-like voter apathy. In the end, I think Romney will pass on Christie and go for a running mate who is safer but almost equally as inspiring as Christie.

Recent Key Votes

Chris Christie On The Issues

International Issues Domestic Issues Economic Issues Social Issues Foreign Policy Gun Control Budget & Economy Education Homeland Security Crime Government Reform  Civil Rights War & Peace Drugs Tax Reform Abortion Free Trade Health Care Social Security Families & Children Immigration Technology Corporations Welfare & Poverty Energy & Oil Environment Jobs Principles & Values