Christie blasts Washington-style obstructionism

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers remarks and answers questions at the Brookings Institution, a non-partisan, public policy think tank, July 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

/ Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

(CBS News) New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Monday joined Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in lambasting the politics of obstructionism in Washington. In a speech to the Brookings Institution, the Republican vice presidential contender recalled his budget-cutting, pension-reforming battles -- and ultimately, compromises -- with the New Jersey Legislature.

"I would not ask anybody to compromise their principles. There's too much of that in politics today to begin with. But I also have to get everyone to acknowledge you're not going to get everything you want. And once you get acknowledgement on both sides of that equation, you can find and force compromise as an executive," Christie said, adding that a good leader has to be able to "walk and chew gum at the same time."

He contrasted what he described as his successful working relationship with a Democratic legislature with the "failed leadership by both parties" in Washington, which he said has created the "illusion" that nothing can get done at the federal level.

"Leadership is not just about obstructionism," Christie said. "Leadership is also not about caving every time you get pushed. Leadership is about nuance and about understanding and communicating to people, 'Here is what I stand for and on these issues I will not be moved,' but then on other issues, leaving room for discussion and accomplishing principled compromise where it can be."

Despite his call for bipartisanship, Christie also seemed to be gearing up for a summertime political battle with Democrats back home over lowering taxes for the middle class after a last-minute deal fell through recently. He accused state Democrats of refusing to deal in good faith because they want to deprive him of the opportunity to tout the tax cut at the Republican national convention in August.

But he also assumed a portion of the blame, saying that the responsibility for problem-solving lies with the chief executive. He criticized a culture of "political consultants whispering in our ear, telling us to say as little as possible."

"If they kick you out of office, they kick you out of office," he said. "It seems to me it's not the end of the world."

Last month, Bush also lamented the hyper-partisanship in Washington. During a Bloomberg News breakfast meeting with reporters in June, Bush suggested that his father and even President Reagan would have had a "hard time" fitting into today's GOP because they were willing to work with congressional Democrats.

[112844]

This man deserves respect and needs to be watched. He is a Republican but does not seem to be a Nazi Tea Bagger.

[nearl451]

So in beween bullying anyone who questions anything that Mr> Christie does, he talks bipartisanship?

Sounds more than slightly ridiculous.

Ever see this guy with questions and answers? He never answers a question, but disrepects any questioners "right" or background to ask any question.

[TimeToEvolve]

Basically this is Rovian logic. Blame the other side for doing what you are doing. Take your obvious weakness and keep repeating that it is someone else to make it your strength. Very juvenile and simple but it seems to work on the Sheeple.

[audemus]

It's more than an illusion nothing can get done at the Federal level. This self-perpetuating game of ***-for-tat has got to end. When the Democrats are in power, the Republicans obstruct, and when the Republicans are in power, the Democrats pay them back. Enough.

[thebob-bob]

Republicans block all legislation so that they can blame Obama for not fixing the mess they made. Then this bozo comes in and complains about nothing getting done? Is he as dumb as he looks?? Yeah, I'm talkin' to you, Christie!!!

[DrAmyOn]

What illusion Chris? Nothing IS getting done at the Federal level.

[TimeToEvolve]

Earth to Krispie Kreme Khristie: It's your party that is doing all the obstruction. As Bonehead said, we will negotiate but we won't compromise. Idiot.

[stevehamilton858]

Idiot indeed. the Constitution requires that laws be negotiated. Negotiation, by its very definition requires that each party or person involved has to be prepared to give something up. The TP constituency is so dumb, they don't understand this basic concept, and Boehner will be lucky if he lasts through the election. He makes Gingrich look like a political whiz kid. Boehner's House will be in the high school history books for years, as a central casting example of what not to do.

[jhallard]

Nothing will get done as long as politicians can line their pockets with money from corporations and the evil and conniving wealthy elite, such as the Koch brothers and their like. They are truly the bane of our society: not the middle class and not the poor.

[stevehamilton858]

Amen.