Christie Tells Wealthy Donors Why He’s Not Running in 2012

National Review ^ | 7/20/11 | Jim Geraghty

[Nachum]

There is a fascinating, if slightly disturbing, account in Mike Allen’s newsletter from Politico this morning:

FLY ON THE WALL: Fifty of the most prized donors in national politics, including several hedge-fund billionaires who are among the richest people in the world, schlepped to a Manhattan office or hovered around speakerphones Tuesday afternoon as their host, venture capitalist Ken Langone (pronounced LAN-goan), a co-founder of The Home Depot, implored New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to reconsider and seek the GOP presidential nomination. The governor was firm that it’s not in the cards this time, but left his spurned suitors with the impression he might well go in 2016. He impressed the audience with his emphasis on family and commitment, and flashes of disarming humor.

Langone backed Rudy Giuliani in 2008, and his guests came from both parties, although most were moderate Republicans. Most are uncommitted in the presidential race. Participants who rank on the Forbes list of richest Americans included Bernie Marcus, Paul Tudor Jones (hedge funds; $3.3 billion), Stan Druckenmiller (hedge funds; $2.5 billion) and Bernie Marcus (Home Depot; $1.9 billion). Several of them said: I’m Republican but I voted for President Obama, because I couldn’t live with Sarah Palin. Many said they were severely disappointed in the president. The biggest complaint was what several called “class warfare.” They said they didn’t understand what they had done to deserve that: If you want to have a conversation about taxation, have a conversation. But a president shouldn’t attack his constituents — he’s not the president of some people, he’s president of all the people. Someone mentioned Huey Long populism.

[PALIN SMITH]

Tax these bums out of the country!!!

[sickoflibs]

Christie is a smart guy.

[Joann37]

Perry in 2012 and 2016, then Christie can run in 2020.

[Kandy Atz]

Several of them said: I’m Republican but I voted for President Obama, because I couldn’t live with Sarah Palin.

Wealth sure doesn't buy intelligence.

[Walrus]

News flash to the alleged billionaires who allegedly voted for Obama because they “couldn’t live with Palin.” Governor Palin was a VICE-presidential candidate which, as John Nance Garner famously remarked, isn’t worth a “warm bucket of spit.”

A little trollery at work here, perhaps?

[T-Bird45]

So this crew thinks going RINO is the solution to their poor choice in ‘08??? McCain as the lead dog was/is full-on RINO, Palin as VP would have been as much a real threat as Biden is now. I guess $$$$ do not equal deep political thinking.

[Grey Eagle]

Perry and Col. Allan West would be a winning team for 2012. They would put Obama and his cronies out of office and out of Washington.

[org.whodat]

What about those pain killers for perrys back, and then you have Christies hemroid problem. Really do not know if that is true but we need to know, one has back problems and the other one likes to eat.

[Dr. Sivana]

I’m Republican but I voted for President Obama, because I couldn’t live with Sarah Palin.

Those are the exact people I want run out of the Republican Party. They seek to use their money to steer the party's policy, and THEY create the conflict and the fissures.

If they could live with Obama over Palin as VP, then they aren't all that very Republican.

If we chase those people into the Democrat Party, they will try that bit where they wave bundled cash in front of the noses and create fissures among the Dems.

It is not class warfare to say that these folks aren't anything special, and that the base will not be cuckolded to please the money boys.

Michael Huffington, Mitt Romney, Linda McMahon, Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina have all shown that a pile of money isn't enough, and can even backfire if used injudiciously.

Obama raising more past a point does not help his cause any more than bigger editions of Pravda could persuade the Soviet populace that their lives were those of members of a Workers' Paradise.

[leprechaun9]

I wish someone would post the record of public service of these wealthy blockheads! They don’t have a clue about the government, the election process, or the millions of volunteers who provide the local services of fire protection, emergency medical service, land use planning and zoning, social service volunteers, sports (PAL, etc)!

[Aria]

Hey Wealthy Donors:

Would Palin have caused 10 oil rigs to leave the gulf??? HUH?

If you’re so smart why are you so stupid?

[Clairity]

Perry took care of his back problem with his recent surgery.

Some of you are really out there — trying to dismiss a candidate because he has hair, because he has back problem, next it will be because you don’t like his tie.

[SamuraiScot]

The biggest complaint was what several called “class warfare.” They said they didn’t understand what they had done to deserve that

"Being stupid enough to vote for an obvious Communist" is the main thing they did to deserve that. Just a reminder that being a billionaire indicates you're really good at one thing, but that one thing might not be common sense.

[OldCountryBoy]

I’m sure they didn’t just vote for obama. Guilty consciences?

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Several of them said: I’m Republican but I voted for President Obama, because I couldn’t live with Sarah Palin. Many said they were severely disappointed in the president. The biggest complaint was what several called “class warfare.” They said they didn’t understand what they had done to deserve that: If you want to have a conversation about taxation, have a conversation. But a president shouldn’t attack his constituents — he’s not the president of some people, he’s president of all the people.

These "Republicans" are getting exactly what they deserve then...

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Perry and Col. Allan West would be a winning team for 2012. They would put Obama and his cronies out of office and out of Washington.

Perry won't be winning anything with a record like THIS.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

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[newzjunkey]

Two words: "John McCain."

Perry's record, even looking over your alarmist link isn't McCain bad or even Bush43 bad.

[org.whodat]

Sorry you did not get it, if you put up with the attacks against bachmann and her migraines and aide in the attacks, you are part of the problem. And I do not like his tie, but have no idea what it looks like, may be one of those dinky dink string things. Sort of like cowboy boots that have never had cow doo on them. Sort of a waste. But how do you know he has not been taking cow pills for his back. That would explain all of the I was for it before I was against it positions.