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OpinionPhilosophyPolitics

Was Chris Christie’s Endorsement of Donald Trump A BAD Decision?

Dear Governor Christie —

As one who proactively supported you for Governor and as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, I am shocked and dismayed by your endorsement of Donald Trump for President.  Only last summer you said on TV that Trump did not have the temperament or experience to be President.  And NOW you say he is best qualified?! 

Everyone I’ve talked to today agrees with your earlier assessment.  They think Trump is under-qualified, a jerk, and other less complimentary things.  One person even thinks he has been getting favorable media coverage to assure his nomination – setting up an easy Hillary victory in the fall.  She will clobber Trump in a factual debate – when he can’t bully her, call her names, or accuse her of bleeding from you-know-where.   

Speaking of Hillary, I do not like her . . . but she is correct that Trump is indeed mean spirited and uninformed, undisciplined, egocentric, narcissistic, uncouth, and apparently not instinctively, socially-smart.  I can’t imagine putting up with his egocentric behavior for four to eight years. 

Frankly, I have wondered since the first debate why Trump was not being called-out for his many glaring faults, name-calling, and insulting and childish behavior.  He is clearly inexperienced and under-qualified to manage and direct the nation.  With his father’s help and money. Trump obviously learned the ins-and-outs of the real estate business. But that’s a relatively simple business compared to running the world’s largest enterprise – the American government and military, with thousands of laws, regulations, restrictions, personalities, opinions, religions, organizations, values, etc. There is a gigantic difference between running a real estate and construction company, and a few golf courses – versus managing the largest enterprise in the history of the world.

Needless to say, I am disappointed by the Republican Party’s leadership – that has established this flawed election process – that enables a candidate with enormous unfavorables to win the nomination.  Furthermore, the winner-take-all feature is idiotic for obvious reasons.  But most of all, I am particularly disturbed that my Governor could hypocritically endorse a man who, only seven months ago, he declared lacked the temperament and experience to be President of the United States of America.

Any of the other four candidates would be much better than Trump.  Rubio is probably the smartest and totally prepared. Cruz is a close second, a lawyerly-type with difficulty getting along with others.  John Kasich is the most experienced and diplomatic.  Ben Carson is a truly smart and nice guy.  Any would be acceptable.  If I had to vote today, I’d go with Rubio but I could change my mind.

Frankly, after +50 years, I’m not sure I can continue to support such an inept and leaderless Republican Party.  In 2008 and 2012, the USA elected a community organizer as President – with disastrous results.  Now it appears the Republican Party is trying to emulate the Democrats by nominating a real estate tycoon and golf course operator.  And you, Mr. Chairman, have endorsed this action.  Shame on you, my once admired friend! Little wonder our country is in such serious decline. 

Image: Chris Christie via photopin (license)

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William Pauwels

William A. Pauwels, Sr. was born in Jackson Michigan to a Belgian, immigrant, entrepreneurial family. Bill is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and served in executive and/or leadership positions at Thomson Industries, Inc., Dow Corning, Loctite and Sherwin-Williams. He is currently CIO of Pauwels Private Investment Practice. He's been commenting on matters political/economic/philosophical since 1980.