It’s better the second time.
Posted: August 29th, 2012 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2012 Presidential Politics, Chris Christie, Republcan National Convention 2012 | Tags: Chris Chirstie, Chris Christie's Keynote Address, Republican National Convention 2012 | 7 Comments »
Photo Credit: Charles Measley
This stage and this moment are very improbable for me.
A New Jersey Republican delivering the keynote address to our national convention, from a state with 700,000 more Democrats than Republicans.
A New Jersey Republican stands before you tonight.
Proud of my party, proud of my state and proud of my country.
I am the son of an Irish father and a Sicilian mother.
My Dad, who I am blessed to have with me here tonight, is gregarious, outgoing and loveable.
My Mom, who I lost 8 years ago, was the enforcer. She made sure we all knew who set the rules.
In the automobile of life, Dad was just a passenger. Mom was the driver.
They both lived hard lives. Dad grew up in poverty. After returning from Army service, he worked at the Breyers Ice Cream plant in the 1950s. With that job and the G.I. bill he put himself through Rutgers University at night to become the first in his family to earn a college degree. Our first family picture was on his graduation day, with Mom beaming next to him, six months pregnant with me.
Mom also came from nothing. She was raised by a single mother who took three buses to get to work every day. And mom spent the time she was supposed to be a kid actually raising children – her two younger siblings. She was tough as nails and didn’t suffer fools at all. The truth was she couldn’t afford to. She spoke the truth – bluntly, directly and without much varnish.
I am her son.
I was her son as I listened to “Darkness on the Edge of Town” with my high school friends on the Jersey Shore.
I was her son as I moved into a studio apartment with Mary Pat to start a marriage that is now 26 years old.
I was her son as I coached our sons Andrew and Patrick on the fields of Mendham, and as I watched with pride as our daughters Sarah and Bridget marched with their soccer teams in the Labor Day parade.
And I am still her son today, as Governor, following the rules she taught me: to speak from the heart and to fight for your principles. She never thought you get extra credit for just speaking the truth.
The greatest lesson Mom ever taught me, though, was this one: she told me there would be times in your life when you have to choose between being loved and being respected. She said to always pick being respected, that love without respect was always fleeting — but that respect could grow into real, lasting love.
Now, of course, she was talking about women.
But I have learned over time that it applies just as much to leadership. In fact, I think that advice applies to America today more than ever.
I believe we have become paralyzed by our desire to be loved.
Posted: August 28th, 2012 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2012 Presidential Politics, Chris Christie, Republcan National Convention 2012 | Tags: Chris Christie, Keynote Address | 11 Comments »
Governor Chris Christie has an online scrapbook of his RNC adventure at http://govchristie.tumblr.com/
Click on the photo for a larger view
Governor Chris Christie will be holding a press conference on the Asbury Park boardwalk tomorrow afternoon, Monday August 20.
Following his meeting the press at 3PM, Christie is scheduled to greet boardwalk patrons and beach goers along the boardwalk and emphasize the importance of clean beaches and waterways to the New Jersey shore economy.
Posted: August 19th, 2012 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Asbury Park, Chris Christie, Economy, Monmouth County | Tags: Asbury Park, Chris Christie | 8 Comments »Politics should trump good public policy and the will of the people, in the mind of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.
The Auditor is reporting that New Jersey’s junior Senator called Democratic State Senators Steve Sweeney and Ray Lesniak to complain about the fact that they’re allowing voters to decide on the constitutional amendment that, if passed, will require New Jersey’s privileged Judges to abide by the same pension and benefit rules as all other state employees.
Menendez wasn’t complaining about the merits of the legislation. He was complaining that the presence of the constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall would get Governor Chris Christie out on the campaign trail supporting the amendment….and also supporting State Senator Joe Kyrillos in Joe’s quest to unseat Menendez.
Posted: August 12th, 2012 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2012 U.S. Senate Race, Bob Menendez, Chris Christie, Joe Kyrillos | Tags: Bob Menendez, Chris Christie, Joe Kyrillos, Ray Lesniak, Steve Sweeney, The Auditor | 1 Comment »Save Jersey is reporting that they have confirmed that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention.
SJ says that a formal announcement will be made on Monday, August 13.
Posted: August 11th, 2012 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2012 Presidential Politics, Chris Christie | Tags: Chris Christie, Republican National Convention, Save Jersey | 15 Comments »© Copyright 2025 | MoreMonmouthMusings | All Rights Reserved