The rising GOP interest in New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has triggered fat jokes and discussions about whether an overweight person could be president. Ever since the Nixon-Kennedy debates (where radio listeners thought Nixon won but TV watchers thought Kennedy won), it is clear that appearance could be a distinct disadvantage. However, if Christie would emulate one of his “heavy” predecessors—Grover Cleveland—he would be a striking improvement.
While Cleveland was unique in many ways, his character was his most important strength. “Honest politician” was not an oxymoron. His reputation was so positive that he was elected Governor of New York without making a single campaign speech. Accused of fathering an illegitimate child during one campaign, his told his staff: “Tell the truth.” But most important, rather than ignoring the Constitution’s limitations on federal government power, he took his oath to defend it seriously.
Cleveland realized that “Officeholders are the agents of the people, not their masters.” Therefore, he opposed paternalistic government policies financed by imposing tax burdens on others, since “the theory of our institutions guarantees to every citizen the full enjoyment of all the fruits of his industry and enterprise, with only such deduction as may be his share toward the careful and economical maintenance of the Government which protects him…exaction of more than this is indefensible extortion and culpable betrayal of American fairness and justice.”
Cleveland fought to eliminate government waste throughout his public career, since “waste of public money is a crime against the citizen.” He pushed to restore honesty and impartiality to government, particularly by cutting government favors (including for his own party), because “danger confronts us…[in] popular disposition to expect from the operation of the Government especial and direct individual advantages.”
Cleveland recognized that “The public Treasury…should only exist as conduit conveying the people’s tribute to its legitimate objects of expenditure,” and so studied every bill Congress passed. He vetoed over 300 of them–more than double all the Presidents before him. One veto message reveals a central reason: “I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution.” Instead, he insisted that “The lessons of paternalism ought to be unlearned and the better lesson taught that while the people should patriotically and cheerfully support their Government, its functions do not include the support of the people.”
Cleveland tried to eliminate burdensome and inefficient tariffs, “the vicious, inequitable, and illogical source of unnecessary taxation.” He also resisted political pressures to inflate, even when facing a serious recession, since “nothing is more vital to…the beneficient purposes of our Government than a sound and stable currency.”
Unlike modern politicians’ attempts to evade accountability, Cleveland insisted that everyone in government be carefully monitored, since “Every citizen owes to the country a vigilant watch and close scrutiny of its public servants and affairs…[as] the price of our liberty…”
Grover Cleveland’s last words were “I have tried so hard to do right.” But respecting the Constitution’s limitations on legitimate federal activities, he didn’t find government to be every answer, regardless of the question (“discrediting an abject dependence upon government favor, we strive to stimulate those elements of American character which support the hope of American achievement”). America would do far better if we remembered that insight and the dangers of ignoring it.
Fittingly, Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty, because he truly aspired to its dedication: “We will not forget that Liberty has made her home here, nor shall her chosen altar be neglected…A stream of light shall pierce the darkness of ignorance and man’s oppression until Liberty enlightens the world.” We could use a man like Grover Cleveland again. Could Chris Cristie be such a man? I don’t know. But as writer Tom Purcell put it, “A fat president and a lean government are suddenly looking better than a lean president and a fat government.”
(Gary Galles is an economics professor at Pepperdine University.)
Christie is another RICK PERRY RINO fraud. He is TERRIBLE on immigration. He believes in “Man made global warming” – another Juan McCain set up by the liberal media to allow Obama to win.
Remember Bob Dole/Jack Kemp’s execrable run against an EASILY beatable Clinton???
Bachmann is the only candidate talking about the TREASON of Ted Kennedy’s 1965 Immigration Reform Act.
PS- Grover Cleveland was a Sigma Chi
Just an historical footnote, Cleveland was the only president to serve two non-consectutive terms and the only Democrat elected to the presidency in the era of Republican political domination that lasted from 1860 to 1912. It appears that a 19th century Democrat could be a role model for 21st century conservative Republicans. A19th century philosopher named Karl Marx could be role model for 21st century liberal Democrats.
Goodness – the RINO plague strikes again!……to some posters here – and yes, I”m talking about YOU, ElvisNixon – anyone other than Ron “We must be gentle with Al Quada, cuz after all it’s our own fault they hate us” Paul, is a RINO. Throwing around the word indiscriminately cheapens its value when it really needs to be used…on folks like Jon Huntsman….the late and unlamented govvernor Ahnolt and his money men….etc.
Sadly, there is nobody perfect in this gop presidential primary field….however there are several who would be quite good….and let us not allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good. Beating the elephant eared socialist currently in the Oval Office is the most important task…let’s keep our eyes on that goal and enuff already with the RINO stuff.
Not hatin….just sayin….:>)
why the sudden need to inject Chris Christie into the republican primary? Well, I have listened to the candidates in debate and see a healthy mix. The republican party may currently see instead, potential winners that wont bend to their BIG GOVERNMENT IN BED WITH BIG BUSINESS central committee position. Maybe Christie is a man of independent integrity, but if the party did not think him managable, it would not seek to add him as a further option to an already wide selction of players. Watch out!