Like many political leaders, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie started out his professional life practicing law.
An oral history project at Columbia University by Jeff Brodsky, covered in THE WASHINGTON POST, explained that he made the shift to public service in 1994. His first campaign was for the Morris County Board of Freeholders. He won. The rest is history.
And here it is 2012. He had been getting a lot of attention on the East Coast for the way he has been standing up for cost efficiency in government. His name was bandied about as a presidential and vice presidential candidate. Then he had his shot at national and global fame when he delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention.
That hasn't turned out to be the homerun many Christie watchers expected. Too many viewed the speech as self-interested, not adequately supporting Mitt Romney. Also, it was staged after Ann Romney's address in which she talked about love for her husband. Yet, it took a poke at soft values like love and hammered the importance of respect.
The polls are in. No, Christie didn't hit a homerun in political branding. Quinnipiac found his national numbers flat. In addition, 58% of residents of his state watched his speech and only 22% feel more favorably toward him.
Has this colorful figure peaked in politics? If the GOP gets creamed in November, will he as a conservative find himself out of touch with the national mindset? Since he has a law degree he can return to that field. He could become a lobbyist. He could also rebrand himself and start campaigning to be the presidential candidate in 2016.
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