Photo by Steve Fallon
With November 2016 quickly approaching, many members of the Ramapo College community are beginning to speculate which candidates will enter the presidential ring and battle it out for the ultimate political honor — becoming the 45th president of the United States. This has been a particularly popular subject for New Jerseyans, as Governor Chris Christie is expected to put on a pair of boxing gloves and turn up the Rocky theme song.
“I am thinking about it,” Christie said, according to The New York Times. “You can imagine that this is a really difficult decision to make and an important one.”
The New York Times has categorized him as a candidate, among 11 other Republicans, “expected to” enter the fray. They attribute this prediction to his recent actions, which include keeping in contact with donors, visiting key states such as Iowa, forming connections with foreign countries such as Britain, Canada and Mexico and starting a new PAC, “Leadership Matters for America.”
“I think Governor Christie is a good fit for New Jersey,” Jessica Perez, Ramapo’s Republican Club vice president, said. “He is very direct and you can always count on him to tell it like it is. He is a good fit for the hustle and bustle of the tri-state area. With that being said, I feel that Governor Christie, as a national candidate, would not fare as well. His abrasive demeanor might alienate potential voters, especially in the conservative footholds of the Midwest.”
Of course, Christie will have to fight his way through the large roster of Republicans vying for the nomination. Jeb Bush, former Florida governor, Scott Walker, Wisconsin governor, and Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor, are all expected to run. Will Christie put up a good fight? Some are not so sure.
“Christie is a great leader, but I do not think putting him in the White House would be the best decision for America. A more traditionally conservative candidate would probably perform better in the general election,” Perez said.
Even if Christie can emerge from the thicket of Republicans chasing the nomination, he will then find himself in a more focused, national arena, where he may come face-to-face with one of these possible, well-seasoned, Democratic candidates: Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state, Martin O’Malley, former Maryland governor or even Jim Webb, former United States senator – all categorized as “expected” opponents by The New York Times.
“I think it is quite ridiculous that Chris Christie is running for the presidency when he’s already a corrupt governor,” said sophomore Akelae Spring. “I don’t know how he even became governor. He might not go far, but as far as winning – I hope he doesn’t.”
Other students seem to be against a possible "President Christie" as well:
"I don't know too much about that, but I feel like it would be a bad idea. The money, and where it comes from, could affect New Jersey as a whole," said Devin Javois, a sophomore.
Dani Bethencourt, a sophomore, was also opposed to Christie's run. "I would say that he did a good job with Sandy, but other than that, he hasn't done much else. He has a stern personality that I feel doesn’t welcome other people's opionions." She explained that this lack of acceptance could affect his abilty to serve as president.
As much as students may speculate, who actually enters the ring to fight for the Republican nomination will not be known until spring, typically the time of year when candidates announced their campaigns. Then, the real battle will begin, ending with one person standing as the reigning political champion in November.
ssprovie@ramapo.edu
