the one to watch…..

While the Republicans and Tea Partiers continue to stub their toes on the mosque issue, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey is quietly reforming New Jersey.  Christie is a Republican governor in a Democratic state.

He weighed in on the “Ground Zero” mosque issue this way.

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As reported by the Huffington Post.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, issued a warning to members his party, as well as to Democrats, on the danger of playing "political football" with debate over plans to build a mosque near the World Trade Center site.

Politico reports:

[Christie] on Monday became the most prominent GOP figure to warn against "overreacting" to the threat of terror and painting "all of Islam" with the brush of terrorism amid the swirling controversy about the Ground Zero-area mosque.

The remarks from Christie, who took office in January, were a striking departure from major GOP players like Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich, who have been adamantly opposed to the construction of the proposed Islamic mosque and cultural center two blocks north of the northern perimeter of Ground Zero - putting them at odds with people like New York City Mayor Bloomberg and, to a lesser degree, President Barack Obama.

The New Jersey Governor signaled that he wouldn't personally weigh into the debate on what has become an increasingly hot topic for discussion among lawmakers.

On politicizing the issue, Christie said, "All people in our country suffer when those kind of things happen."

The former federal prosecutor says the sensitivities of the families of the 9/11 victims should be taken into account. He also says America cannot condemn all of Islam because of the actions of terrorists.

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Those who have underestimated Christie have done so at their own peril.  Basically called fat by his opponent, former governor and bazillionaire investment banker John Corzine, during the 2009 governor’s race in New Jersey, Christie has taken the reins of New Jersey with a plain speaking style and firm hand.

This pugnacious street fighter is what the Tea Partiers and Republican Party need to light the way.  He may not be sexy or controversial, but he is solid.  He governs in a way that reduces spending and keeps discourse out of the political commode.

The main difference between Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Christie is he actually holds office.  Instead of shooting political spitballs from the back of the class, he’s chosen to take the high road.  Maybe we can learn from this overweight underdog who is making a difference.