GOP leaders rejoice in Christie's ability to unify, while Dems still skeptical

Leaders of a once fractured minority party - over the last years seemingly constantly at the verge of splitting farther apart - see unity in Gov.-elect Chris Christie.

During the campaign, Christie regularly invoked the example of former Gov. Tom Kean, a moderate, then publicly embraced movement conservative Steve Lonegan in the closing days of the general election campaign to solidify his Republican base.

Kean's son, state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) said he believes Christie's leadership abilities are expansive enough to include both the conservative wing and moderate wing of the GOP, in addition to independents and Democrats.

Not unlike his own father's skills in that regard.

"My father worked with a Democratic legislature in both of his terms as governor," Kean said of former Gov. Kean. "Chris also has the ability to work in a bipartisan way."

Christie's more conservative tendencies coupled with campaign trail trumpeting about turning Trenton upside down and Christie Campaign Chairman Joe Kyrillos' acknowledgement that Christie will "push outcomes," however, have some Democrats already in off-the-record bunker mode.

"I'll be curious to see what he has to offer," Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union), the state Democratic Party chairman, told NJN News in the aftermath of a grueling campaign.

"It had better be in the interest of the people of New Jersey," he added.

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton) anticipates a fight.

"Christie's in the catbird seat," Gusciora said. "I think he could very well be a two-termer. He could offer a $15 billion budget and dare Democrats to increase it. The programs to be cut would be those affecting our base: jobs, healthcare and state workers. Democrats are going to have to step up to the plate."

Alert to the $8-$10 billion budget deficit the state is facing, Kean this week called on Corzine not to engage in any lame duck spending.

"We've seen it before, a late flurry of spending and massive last minute appointments, and in the interest of giving Gov.-elect Chris Christie flexibility in a budget crisis, I call on Gov. Corzine not to do that," said the minority leader.

On the conservative side of the spectrum, state Sen.-elect Mike Doherty (R-Washington Twp.) believes Christie ultimately paid proper respect to the party's conservative wing during the general election.

The conservative feels especially energized heading into the upper house knowing Christie will be governor.
 
"Gov-elect Christie has a good ability to identify leaders," Doherty said. "I remember some time ago seeing (Lieutenant Gov-elect) Kim Guadagno at an event and I thought, 'she's really on the ball.' Obviously, Chris Christie figured it out. That's what made Ronald Reagan great: the confdence to put winners in key roles."
 
What about movement conservative leader Steve Lonegan in the Christie cabinet?

"Steve Lonegan is a smart guy with incredible energy," said Doherty. "It would be a tremendous asset to have him in the cabinet. Of course, it's up to Chris Christie to put his team together."

Of Christie's prospective relationship with the legislature, "He certainly knows all the legislators and has a good relationship with leadership," said Doherty. "Being a Jersey guy means a lot. I think Jon Corzine, coming from Illinois, was then stuck in his tower at Goldman Sachs. You look at that compared to a guy (Christie) who was born in Newark, who moved up Bloomfield Avenue to Livingston, who knows how tough people are in New Jersey."

Doherty praised Kean early for his leadership during the senate presidency struggle.
 
"As a new member of the Republican caucus I'm impressed with the leadership of Tom Kean, Jr.," said the Warren County-based senator. "He recognizes if the Republican Party stays together we're stronger."

Kean would not say whether he believes Christie's presence as governor would alter the terrain heading into next year's vote in the full senate.

"The Republican caucus has 17 votes, Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) has 15, and Senate President Dick Codey (D-Roseland) has eight," said Kean. "That dynamic has not changed."