The Republican Primary debates are tonight on Fox. Next up in this series of Republican cat portraits is Gov. Chris Christie. Again, these are just highlights. Please make your own formed opinion. I get the impression this is a guy who’d make your life a living hell if you disagreed with him. Perfect for president. 

Budget, Economy & Jobs:

Doesn’t offer any real solutions, refers only to his track record and uses broad statements. Don’t worry about the rich, worry about the middle class. Don’t raise minimum wage, but create better-paying jobs.

Civil Rights:

Disagrees with Supreme Court about gay marriage and states that, “If my kids were gay, I’d give them a hug; but no marriage.” 

Drugs:

Treatment not jail. Marijuana is especially bad. 

Education

Believes national teachers union deserves a “punch in the face.” Signed NJ onto Common Core but now regrets it. Lobbied for schools, particularly charter schools, to be operated by private and for-profit companies. 

Energy, Oil & Environment:

For Keystone XL. Pulled out of Regional Greenhouse Gas program. Does support incentivizing energy manufacturing and wind turbines. Rejected public transit projects and canceled work on new Hudson River rail tunnel. 

Foreign Policy:

Tough guy attitude. “Given who I am, Putin would not have invaded Crimea.” Says America should be clear to world about what we stand for and that isolationism, & reducing anti-terrorism, is dangerous.

Gun Control: (via ontheissues.org)

Include mental health records in gun background checks. (Jun 2015)

Vetoed outright ban on Barrett .50 caliber rifle. (Oct 2013)

We already have too many firearms in our community. (Jun 2012)

2009: No right-to-carry cross-state reciprocity. (Jun 2012)

Favors gun control measures from law-enforcement perspective. (Jun 2012)

Health Care: (via ontheissues.org)

Parents have some choice, but kids should be vaccinated. (Feb 2015)

ObamaCare was a mistake; a failed policy from the start. (Nov 2013)

Allow insurers to sell “mandate-free” policies. (Jun 2012)

Prosecuted politicians & their cronies, including jail time. (Jun 2012)

2002-2006: uncovered $800M in medical kickbacks to doctors. (Jun 2012)

$159M for community health centers for the most vulnerable. (Aug 2011)

3.2% funding increase for National Institutes of Health. (Apr 2010)

Immigration:

In 2010, supported a path to citizenship but then switched positions in 2013.

Social Security: 

Believes SS is running out and that we should raise the retirement age.

Tax Reform: (via ontheissues.org)

Simplify tax code to three brackets, with highest at 28%. (Jun 2015)

I will veto any income tax increases that come before me. (Jan 2015)

2009: Single tax rate would raise taxes for low earners. (Jun 2012)

OpEd: Vetoed “Millionaire’s Tax” on wealthiest New Jerseyans. (Feb 2011)

I didn’t get to watch the debates live so I’m still catching up. No spoilers, I’m sure it was riveting. In continuing these GOP cat portraits, here’s Texas Junior Senator, Ted Cruz. 

Economy:

Blames Obama administration for the top 1% getting “fat & happy” while workers suffer. Little does he know fat and happy 1 percenters have been a problem well before Obama. Supports the Cut-Cap-and-Balance Pledge. Endorsed by the Club for Growth.

Civil Rights:

Believes “zealotry” on same-sex marriage infringes on religious liberty. Voted NO on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.

These things considered he did vote to disallow Ku Klux Klan from participating in Adopt-A-Highway.

Education:

Avoids expressing any real stance or solutions regarding education, stating such decisions are best made at local level.

Energy, Oil & Environment:

Signed the Koch-backed No Climate Tax Pledge by AFP. Cap-and-trade has no impact on global temperatures. Don’t pick winners & losers like RFS’ ethanol in gasoline. Voted NO on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems.

Foreign Policy:

No one better than America and it’s our responsibility to enforce and defend our values abroad. 

Government Reform:

Wants to end Washington cronyism via Congressional term limits. <–(Doesn’t sound like a bad idea, actually.) Make it more difficult to vote by requiring ID. Prohibit IRS audits targeting political groups supporting own party. 

Health Care:

Offers nothing but criticism of Obamacare and Democrats’ decision to support it. No solutions to the apparent problem.

Social Security:

Raise retirement ages. Transition younger workers into person savings system. Rated 0% by ARA, indicating a pro-privatization stance. 

Tax Reform:

#Gretel

“Anywhere but Here”