By David Cruz
NJ Today
It’s been a quiet week in Trenton, and for the next two weeks, things will probably be just as low-key since a lot of the biggest players in both parties will be at their respective conventions. First up is the GOP, which gathers in Tampa. While there’s little expected in the way of drama or controversy, all eyes will be on the governor of New Jersey Tuesday night as he delivers the speech of his life, so far, which you might think would make some governors nervous.
But Christie says he may be anxious, but not nervous. The governor has said he won’t use the phrase “New Jersey Comeback” in his speech specifically, but confirmed that he will talk about how he has helped the state turn the corner.
“I just said those three words weren’t going to be in there,” the governor told a Philadelphia TV station yesterday. “But to talk about how this state has rebounded and is doing much better than it was when I took over two-and-a-half years ago, that might be in there, but you’ll have to show up Tuesday night to find out.”
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PolitickerNJ Editor Darryl Isherwood says Christie has little to lose, and much to gain. “It’s the biggest speech he’s ever given,” he said. “I think you’re going to see him put his own flair on it, because if you think about it, it’s the biggest speech he’s ever given and will be a launching pad, could be a launching pad, for him.”
Sen. Gerald Cardinale is a delegate again this year. His first convention was back in 1976, when Ronald Reagan almost turned the convention on its ear before giving way to incumbent Gerald Ford. Cardinale says he expects Christie to — be Christie.
“I think he really just has to be himself,” he said. “I think it would be a mistake for him to try to change. I think the reason they asked him is because he has a way of saying things that people relate to, the average person relates to. Maybe some of the politicians don’t but I think the average person relates to his style. He’s straight from the shoulder, and he tells it like it is. I think people relate to that.”
Most observers acknowledge that Christie will need to stay on script, that is, promote the candidate, maybe put a dent or two on the other guys and — if he has a few minutes left over — introduce himself to the country as a potential presidential candidate himself.
In case you hadn’t heard there’s a hurricane approaching Florida, which could seriously affect the schedule of events next week, but that could just be a part of the fun in a week that from a New Jersey perspective could prove to be historic.