(VIDEO) Gov. Christie Comments on Pension, Health Reform

Governor Chris Christie:

The important skill Terry really that they’re talking about I think in that [New York Times] column and what people are hungering for in the country is someone in the White House who will lead and take risk. You know, I mean, things have gone--- what was your phrase? --- a modicum of success,  I might be a little more enthusiastic than that but we’ve had some real success here and I think that one of the reasons we’ve had real success is because leaders have been willing to lead. Right?

So if that means if you’re me, you take a chance and you put a out there that you know are going to anger a lot of people but that you believe in your heart is the right thing to do for the majority of people in the state, while also protecting the pensions of even those people who are angry about the proposal ---- and that’s leading. Going out there and doing thirty town hall meetings, and arguing your case for it both in the press and in the public despite whatever the political ramifications may be. That’s leading.

And then you have Steve Sweeney, who despite the fact that he led a Democratic caucus in the State Senate, the majority of which was against it, he believed in his heart as a leader this was something that he had to do and he did it. He led and he’s led to his own political detriment as the AFL-CIO and the NJEA have tried to prove to him. I think he’ll have the last laugh in the long haul because I think people in this state like leaders regardless of their party.

And the same thing with Sheila Oliver and the members of the General Assembly who were in the minority in their caucus who decided anyway to post that bill, to stand up and do the right thing. 

You can’t lead from behind. Leading is not a political strategy. It’s a moral strategy.  You know, I’ve said many times about the President who I have admiration for, and who I agree with on a number of issues.  But man, get out there and tell us what you believe and be willing to fight for it even if people disagree with it.

They’re going to give you points. They’re going to give you points for being willing to speak your mind.  I can’t tell you how many times I was walking along the beach in various parts of New Jersey this past week where I had people come up to me and say I don’t agree with you all the time but at least you’re doing something. 

People will give you credit for that even if they don’t agree with you every time. Nobody agrees with me all the time. I barely agree with me all the time.  So, you know, so you go out and you do the best you can.