In these times of economic distress, massive job losse s, shrunken businesses, bloated governments and runaway public spending, we’ve been waiting for some politician (other than Ron Paul) to stand and tell the truth.

Smith is of course right about Ron Paul (who won his GOP primary with 80% of the vote on Tuesday).  But Smith was not talking about the Texas Congressman, he was talking about the bold step that Governor Chris Christie took in deciding to balance the state’s budget without raising taxes.  Christie was clear:

But behold! The newly elected governor of New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie, stood in front of 200 of his state’s mayors last week and told them basically that there is no more road down which to kick that proverbial can. In his speech at the New Jersey League of Municipalities, Mr. Christie began by calling the legislature’s $29 billion budget something out of “Alice in Wonderland.” He told the collected hizzoners that the old game of tax and spend was over. He described unhappy meetings in his treasurer’s office, where he was presented with 378 possible freezes and lapses to be used to balance the budget. He accepted 375 of them.

Like Bob McDonnell here in Virginia, Christie’s tough cuts and talk will not make friends with some groups:

No doubt there will be a political firestorm in New Jersey as the pinch is felt by politically powerful entities such as the teachers, police and firefighters unions. Whether he can survive tackling the growing fiscal crisis with actual solutions is the question.

This is virtually the same fight that will happen in Virginia.  I heard on the radio the question about how the high school football coaches will work for free as Gov. McDonnell has proposed and I have heard that people are complaining that McDonnell will keep rest areas open but cut education.  Conservatives and Republicans must stand behind Governor McDonnell even if we are niot sure we fully agree.  It is tough times.  He’s got to make the decision.  Let’s give him a chance. 

And Smith warns us the consequences:

Chris Christie will need a lot of public support in his efforts to put the Garden State’s house in order; with the public in New Jersey and all across the land depending on government largesse more than ever before, can that actually be expected to happen? A lot rides on the answer to that question. If he can’t succeed in this vitally needed reordering of government taxing and spending habits, who elsewhere will be able to, and what instead will happen?

Let’s support Bob McDonnell.

Governor Jindal came on after the Great American Panel about 9:45PM EDT.  A few notes:

Bobby Jindal is in NYC after campaigning for Chris Christie in NJ!  (He has already TWICE campaigned for Bob McDonnell!)  Jindal suggests that there is a mirror to 1993 – VA and NJ went for the GOP and this led to taking over the House in ’94.

“We can’t just print the money” Jindal says.  Cong. Ron Paul could not have said it better!  Jindal says the GOP has great candidates and in 1994 some of those candidates came about after the 1993 elections.  Hannity asked about if the Republicans have repented of their big spending ways.  Jindal suggests they have.  I am not sure I am persuaded.  Jindal asserts that the highest tax rates in some states will be higher than France if Obamacare passes! 

The governor thanked President Obama for keeping his word and coming to New Orleans.  Hannity immediately  asked Governor Jindal about Louisiana.  The governor quickly cited several statistics in a row about the Pelican State that I could not keep up with.  (A recent blog entry spoke to that!)  Ethics reform, best government in the South, etc.  The Wonk is in the house!

This is an excellent presentation!  Much better than a certain speech made earlier this year.  My only criticism is Governor Jindal talks fast and is hard to live blog!  But the meat of his message is clear even if he speaks fast. 

We ‘ll try to get a video of this interview.