A return to moderacy: What politicians can learn from Chris Christie

On Nov. 5, Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was overwhelmingly re-elected as governor of a state that only a year ago re-elected a Democrat, President Barack Obama. How could this be?

Since he took office in January 2010, Christie has balanced budgets while cutting taxes, reformed teacher tenure and added nearly 60,000 jobs to New Jersey’s private sector, all while facing a strongly Democratic state legislature. Rather than obstinately delving into the world of bitter partisanship, Christie vigorously reached across the aisle to simply get things done.

Even when Governor Christie opposed a popular issue, he still made his approach rational and respectable. Recently, despite his personal opposition to same-sex marriage, Christie announced that he would no longer stand in the way of its progress in his state, a state that contrasts the Governor’s views regarding the matter.

Regardless of one’s stance on same-sex marriage, it is refreshing to see a politician understand that there is no point in riding a losing horse at the expense of progress. There is no point in stalling the progress of one’s agenda for the sake of obsessing over one issue. Christie understands that bipartisan cooperation is the foundation upon which good governance is built, a notion evidently supported by the success New Jersey has realized under his leadership.

The political situation in Washington is not as harmonious. The political partisanship of contemporary times is despicable, culminating in last month’s government shutdown and near debt ceiling disaster. Neither party deserves full blame, both are at fault here. Perhaps current representatives have forgotten what it means to successfully do their jobs.

When asked to describe the characteristics of the government he had framed, James Madison replied: “Three principles — compromise, compromise and compromise.”

Unfortunately in recent years, compromise has become a dirty word in Washington, at the expense of the American citizen. Empty words and promises do not lead to good governance. Inaction and stagnation do not lead to prosperity. Petty arguments do not put people back to work. Contemptuousness does not foster education or promote general welfare.

What Christie understands is that Americans are not pieces waiting to be maneuvered in a game of politics. He understands that the job of an elected official is to serve the people, not the party. Though many Republican pundits criticized him for praising Obama’s response to Hurricane Sandy near the 2012 election, his actions should be applauded and his character should be admired. He is the governor of a state and the people of that state elected him to represent them. His chief interest should be, and seemingly is, the welfare of his constituency.

Because of his enormous popularity, Christie is widely considered a strong candidate for president in 2016. However, he’s avoided the discussion of 2016 and instead has shifted his focus to his top priority: the people of the State of New Jersey. Of course, dodging controversial national issues is a smart political move for a potential presidential candidate. (I direct you to Obama’s senate voting record — you’ll notice a lot of “presents.”) Nevertheless, Christie genuinely delivers on what he preaches, and should be commended for this, no matter what one’s feelings are toward his actual beliefs and actions.

This year’s gubernatorial elections were a harbinger that signaled the return of moderate influence in American politics. While Christie proved comfortably victorious in a Democratic-leaning state, Republican Ken Cuccinelli was unable to ascend to the governorship of Virginia, a traditionally red state. Cuccinelli embodies all that Christie isn’t — partisan, ideologically driven and overly obstinate in his views — all qualities thankfully becoming unappealing to the American people. There is no place for extremism and disdain in our system, nor should there be. As corroborated by this year’s gubernatorial election results, moving away from the center is not the answer — moving toward it is.

For those looking ahead, the prospect of a Christie presidential run doesn’t seem far-fetched and, indeed, appears likely. However, 2016 is a political lifetime away and cannot be accurately discussed at the present moment. But, it is not too early to recognize the fortunate trend beginning to take place in the United States. Americans are beginning to reject the uncompromising attitudes of both ultra-liberals and ultra-conservatives, and are instead welcoming moderate voices while requiring those elected to not only talk, but to act.

Barry Goldwater famously said, “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice!” Yet, it seems that moderateness in the name of good governance is no vice.

Americans are tired of ideologues and rhetoric. Nearly a century ago, Warren G. Harding campaigned on a promise of a return to “normalcy.” Perhaps Christie, if he indeed decides to throw his hat in the 2016 presidential ring, should promise a return to “moderacy,” a promise that will be welcomed by all rational voters seeking true progress in Washington.

Write to Matt at mrb111@pitt.edu.