Good governance is good politics

I may never say anything positive about him again, but Republican Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey has earned some serious respect from across the political spectrum because of the way that he has set aside partisan politics in the face of the devastation wrought upon his state by Hurricane Sandy this week.

He has earned it.

He's dropped partisan gamesmanship in favor of working with President Obama and the federal government to address the needs of storm-ravaged New Jersey residents.

Obama and Christie speaking to storm victims.  Pic courtesy MSNBC.

He and Obama certainly don't have much in common, but they do have this:  when their constituents needed them this week to step up and be *leaders*, not just politicians, they dropped any election-year partisan posturing and went to work.

That's the sort of personal dedication and professional integrity that I respect in, and expect from, *all* elected officials, not just the ones with whom I happen to agree.

Today, Chris Christie has my respect, and will for as long as he places the long-term interests of his constituents before short-term partisan gain.

I don't expect to ever agree with him on the sort of political issues that tend to divide Democrats and Republicans, but that doesn't mean I can't or won't give credit where it is due.


Quick and cheap political analysis (and worth every penny you're paying for it :) ):

I can't even pretend to have a clue as to what impact Hurricane Sandy will have on this year's elections, but Christie has given himself a leg up in the 2016 general election (if Obama wins next week) or in 2020 (if Romney wins next week).  The general election electorate loves someone they see as placing "doing the job" ahead of "flaunting the job title".

However, the same thing that gives Christie a general election boost is the sort of thing that will undermine his chances in the R primary.