Our prayers might be answered: Christie to decide on 2012 bid.

[Torie]

I suspect it's too late, but it's good. Mittens needs to be challenged as much as possible, to get in maximum shape to take on Obama. Exercise is good, and more exercise is better! Perry obviously is just a punching bag for Mittens, and no challenge at all. It's like lifting just the bar on the bench press, without any weights on it - sort of like I do just to get warmed up a bit, before adding the iron. Christie will be more formidable. And Christie if he wins hopefully will not be in the DOA category for the finals that Perry would be in my judgement.

[Torie]

Yes Nik, I think Christie does have a chance to win the gold unlike Perry, which I suggested. But unlike Perry, he won't be like a wounded deer for Obama to hunt down and just casually put out of his misery, without breaking a sweat. So it's all good. Whichever of the two wins, should be fit and very competitive with Obama - hopefully.

[Torie]

Yes Nik, I think Christie does have a chance to win the gold unlike Perry, which I suggested. But unlike Perry, he won't be like a wounded deer for Obama to hunt down and just casually put out of his misery, without breaking a sweat. So it's all good. Whichever of the two wins, should be fit and very competitive with Obama - hopefully.

Ah ok. I merely meant to say Christie is not cannon fodder (though no cannon could probably fit him).

Indeed. He should shed some of the flab. It will become an issue in the campaign. Mark my words. It's a health issue. He will need to release a medical exam report I suspect. What's his blood pressure and glucose count? I am not trying to be snarky here. It's out there.

[Torie]

I don't see how Christie avoids some of the problems that are plaguing Perry right now. Parachuting yourself into the presidential race overnight and sounding coherent on everything is really hard. Especially since Christie is actually even less experienced than Perry.

That is a question - a good question. We will find out one way or the other if this transpires, and sooner rather than later. But he is far more informed - and smart - than Perry is. What happened to Perry does not surprise me at all. It is what I expected, i.e. Perry is just about as bad as I expected.

[Torie]

Yes Nik, I think Christie does have a chance to win the gold unlike Perry, which I suggested. But unlike Perry, he won't be like a wounded deer for Obama to hunt down and just casually put out of his misery, without breaking a sweat. So it's all good. Whichever of the two wins, should be fit and very competitive with Obama - hopefully.

Ah ok. I merely meant to say Christie is not cannon fodder (though no cannon could probably fit him).

Indeed. He should shed some of the flab. It will become an issue in the campaign. Mark my words. It's a health issue. He will need to release a medical exam report I suspect. What's his blood pressure and glucose count? I am not trying to be snarky here. It's out there.

He got elected in one of the thinnest states in the nation. Sure, his weight would be the subject of countless jokes but, as the New Jersey electorate has proven, it isn't half as important as people make it out to be.

The health of a governor is a far different matter than the health of a POTUS. Anyway, if Christie has self discipline - a character trait a POTUS needs in spades in any event - he should shed 30-35 pounds over the balance of the year, and be sure his medical numbers are OK, and then release them in time for Iowa, and certainly in time for NH. Just a thought.

By the way, when I shed my 60 pounds, I did it at the rate of 10 pounds a month with no ill effects, although a key part of that was a regular exercise regimen. That is why I recommended the 30-35 pound loss over the balance of the year for Christie. It can realistically and safely, be done. And I didn't stop drinking while doing it!  

[Torie]

Did Christie look like he lost any weight? I knew Huckabee was running when he was losing weight. Listening to Hugh Hewitt today, he had some guy on who was a close friend of Christie who said he indicated no interest that he was really going to just do it. The thing is, is he really ready to delve into all the issues without embarrassing himself? Christie is too smart to do a Perry. When he goes for it, he will be ready. Doing stuff on the fly is unwise. If he thought there was a real possibility he might run, he would have been steadily getting "in shape," mentally, information wise, and physically, so he would be suitable standby "equipment" as it were. It seems that is not the case. He isn't running. Mitt will be the nominee. Deal with it. JMO.

[Torie]

He isn't running. Mitt will be the nominee. Deal with it. JMO.

Get out. Now.

What you want is not always what you get Phil. Who knew?   

You want me to get out of the thread, the forum, or the planet?  Just asking. 

[Torie]

In other news, how good was Christie's speech by the way?  Did he set the house on fire, or put them to sleep, or something in-between?

[Torie]

Apparently, I'm not the only one that thought that his comments were very open ended - http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/64589.html

He could have said he's considering it. He didn't. He played cute. He probably wants another venue to say why he isn't running as a separate speech is my guess.

[Torie]

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Actually the polls suggest to the contrary. Mittens holds most of his support. Christie drains the rest. Of course, that could change after Christie is "exposed" as some horrible Northeastern "liberal."  But I tend to doubt it. Deep down, the Pubbies "know" the rest of the field just are not in the hunt for anything - nor should they be, except for my boy Huntsman, but he's done.  He just can't sell himself, and he has a lot of selling to do.
 
Palin is still hanging out there.