Christie compares state (and self) to Miracle on Ice

New Jersey is the nation's leader when it comes to fixing the way government is funded, with governors of all political stripes following its lead, Gov. Christie told the Legislature at the start of his budget address Tuesday.

By the end of the speech, the Republican governor had upped the rhetorical ante, describing his politics in Cold War proportions and sounding as if he were doing something grander than running the 11th-biggest state.

Christie compared New Jersey - and by association, himself - to the U.S. hockey team that defeated that of the Soviet Union 31 years ago Tuesday, in a game that came to be called the Miracle on Ice.

"Many thought the Soviet Union to be invincible, not only in their approach to hockey but in their stolid, statist approach to government," Christie said. "We know what happened next. The free people of the world offered a better, more hopeful, long-term vision of this world."

In the same way, New Jersey, and other states in its wake, are making short-term sacrifices to enable a better future, he said.

"Look around, look around, much like that band of hard-charging, take-no-prisoners college kids did in Lake Placid 31 years ago, New Jersey is inspiring the nation," Christie said.

Moments later, Christie, who is regularly described as "hard-charging" himself, concluded his address, leaving the Democratic-controlled Legislature to grapple with a fiscally conservative funding proposal that offers tax breaks, spending cuts in state departments for health and the environment, and a modest hike in funding for schools.

The speech, political observers said, was unusual for a few reasons.

"In addition to the communism metaphor, I think we also see a state governor contextualizing his state budget in terms of a national phenomenon," said Montclair State University political scientist Brigid Harrison.

"I don't think we often see governors - particularly governors who claim they have no presidential aspirations - evoking so many comparisons to so many different states."

Christie mentioned New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, who has proposed changes in Medicaid - just as Christie is doing in the budget he offered. He mentioned California Gov. Jerry Brown, another Democrat, who issued a hiring freeze and proposed pay cuts.

"And in Wisconsin and Ohio, they have decided there can no longer be two classes of citizens: one that receives rich health and pension benefits, and one that is left to pay for them," Christie said.

In evoking Wisconsin, where Republican Gov. Scott Walker is locked in a remarkable battle with Democratic legislators over his plans to squash public employee unions and slash their benefits, Christie waded into a national debate, though his own proposals do not go nearly as far.

Christie has said he supports Walker, while New Jersey unions are rallying in Trenton on Friday in solidarity with Wisconsin's public workers.

Beyond issues involving states, Harrison noted that Christie touched on federal politics and criticized President Obama (although not by name) - which is highly unusual for a governor in a budget address.

"The federal government is spending more than ever," Christie said. "The change is coming from the states, and the charge is being led by New Jersey."

Christie has repeatedly ruled out running for president in 2012. But Harrison believes statements like those Tuesday mean Christie is "still leaving a door open" to run. "It is continuing to evoke a comparison between him as an executive and the president," she said.

Christie's cost-cutting in New Jersey has burnished his national profile. On Wednesday morning, Christie is scheduled to appear on Today and MSNBC, undoubtedly talking about New Jersey, Wisconsin, and maybe Obama.

Peter Woolley, a pollster and professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, said Christie's speech was "far more interesting" than those of the previous governor, Jon S. Corzine, particularly because of the tension between Christie and the Legislature's Democrats, who must pass his plan. He likened it to a "showdown at the OK Corral."

After the speech, Democrats hammered the governor for putting the onus of the fiscal reform on the backs of the poor, sick and elderly.

But so far, the teacher layoffs and cuts in municipal services have not hurt the governor's popularity, according to polls. Even among households with public employees, the desire to cut government spending and programs is robust, Woolley said.

"If Chris Christie had not had those strong poll numbers, it's doubtful so many other governors would have jumped on the wagon with such gusto," Woolley said.

"They've looked at New Jersey, seen that people respond to Chris Christie, and I think that there are a lot of wannabe Chris Christies out there."