Inquirer Editorial: Christie in Iowa

Gov. Christie's visit to Iowa, land of cornfields and presidential caucuses, naturally raises speculation about his grander ambitions.

The governor, whose blunt "Jersey talk" is winning fans in other states, says there's "no way" he'd run for president. That's what they all say. And then they travel to Des Moines voluntarily.

Christie is well aware that he's only been governor for nine months, and he's barely begun the task of putting New Jersey's fiscal house in order. He's made a promising start in several areas, but he doesn't have much of a record on which to run for higher office.

Yet it says something about his performance so far that people in the national Republican Party are recognizing Christie's potential. The former federal prosecutor says what's on his mind, in a style that conveys he's a regular guy. He's quick on his feet, and he doesn't lose many arguments.

Unlike many GOP candidates for national office, Christie is not defined by the issues of the religious right. He was one of the few Republican leaders to warn his party against overreacting to the proposed mosque near ground zero in New York, saying it's a mistake to paint "all of Islam" with the same broad brush.

Exactly 100 years ago, Woodrow Wilson was elected governor of New Jersey. In his second year as governor, Wilson was elected president. Just sayin'.