Why Chris Christie is a better establishment choice than Rubio or Bush

Despite CNN’s successful attempt to make the GOP debate a debacle and a cage match, we actually did learn a few things about some of the candidates. One of the most important things is that the Republican Establishment is debating about the two wrong horses. Rather than backing Marco Rubio or Jeb Bush, they really should be looking at Chris Christie instead.

Of the three, Christie had the best debate performance. He connected with the audience and handled the questions with much more sincerity and knowledge than either candidate from Florida. Despite being on the brink of irrelevancy before the fourth debate when he was relegated to the undercard, he has fought his way back into the conversation and is making great gains in New Hampshire that should eliminate Bush and make Rubio’s campaign very concerned. In fact, he’s beating Rubio in the most recent New Hampshire WBUR poll.

If it weren’t for the super PAC money backing him, Bush would be done. He hasn’t reached the people and his debate performances have made us long for the George W. Bush smirk rather than the Eeyore countenance of his brother.

As for Rubio, his charm and speaking abilities have not translated into the unification of the Republican Establishment voters that most anticipated. In fact, he’s barely moving up despite the downward spiral of his former arch-nemesis Bush.

Christie has the one thing that seems to be a theme in this election cycle that Rubio fails to grasp. Christie appeals to the voters’ anger. Even though most of the angry GOP voters who are being polled are heading towards Trump and Cruz, Christie has the unique position of being moderate and angry at the same time. He is better suited to take on Trump should it come down to the two of them and he matches up a little better against Cruz. Rubio looks poor compared to either of them.

For complete transparency, I am too conservative to support Rubio, Bush, or Christie for the nomination, but that conservatism translates into greater trust of a man like Christie than the mushy Rubio or the wimpy Bush. I also know that I’m not alone in that perspective among conservatives and that concept should make the Establishment think twice before putting up someone like Rubio for the bashing.

With all of that said, I’d definitely support Chris Christie for Attorney General.

Rubio looks nice. Bush has the money. Christie is the only Establishment candidate who really has a chance as the wave of conservatism sweeps across the electorate.