Podcast Summary: Hendrik Hertzberg and Ryan Lizza on Chris Christie

Podcast: The Political Scene | The New Yorker
Host: Dorothy Wickenden
Guests: Hendrik Hertzberg, Ryan Lizza
Date: November 8, 2013

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dorothy Wickenden moderates an insightful discussion with Hendrik Hertzberg and Ryan Lizza on the political fallout from the recent gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, the evolving landscape within the Republican Party, and the broader implications for both parties leading up to 2016. The conversation focuses particularly on Chris Christie’s landslide re-election in New Jersey, Terry McAuliffe’s narrow victory in Virginia, and Bill de Blasio’s progressive win in New York City.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Election Rundown and Immediate Takeaways

• Gubernatorial Results:
  • Terry McAuliffe narrowly wins in Virginia.
  • Bill de Blasio enjoys a sweeping win in New York City.
  • Chris Christie cruises to a resounding re-election in New Jersey.
• Volatility in National Politics:
  • Elections do not set clear, long-lasting trends; dynamics shift rapidly.
  • Quote:

    “The political situation generally is so volatile. Things change every couple of weeks.”
    — Hendrik Hertzberg (02:13)

2. The Tea Party and Internal GOP Struggles (03:14)

• Establishment Republicans (like Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham) are working to reduce the Tea Party influence in Senate primaries, learning from prior cycles where Tea Party candidates caused winnable seats to be lost.
• The Heritage Foundation, led by Jim DeMint, and support from figures like Ted Cruz, fuel these ideological primary challenges.
• Quote:

  “They have to prevent sort of fringe Tea Party candidates from winning primaries and getting defeated narrowly in Senate elections that they should win.”
  — Ryan Lizza (03:27)

3. Chris Christie's Strategy and Personality (04:51-06:00)

• Christie’s win attributed to a pragmatic, non-ideological campaign focusing on leadership and efficacy rather than conservative dogma.
• Christie’s “narcissism” is both evident and, for now, effective with his constituents.
• Quotes:

  “He managed to combine being really appealing and being really narcissistic.”
  — Hendrik Hertzberg (05:09)
  “He doesn’t deal in abstractions. He’s... the beau ideal... of an urban Democrat. He’s a transactional politician... He’s not talking about basic principles.”
  — Hendrik Hertzberg (05:18)

• Potential vulnerability: Christie’s approach may falter on the national stage due to the different dynamics of a presidential primary.

4. Hidden Pitfalls for Christie (06:04-07:09)

• Christie faces looming state budgetary crises due to obligations from state worker reforms.
• His strong post-Sandy leadership—including bipartisan cooperation with Obama and pressuring Republican House leadership—boosted his profile, but other tough governance issues lie ahead.
• Quote:

  “His embrace of President Obama, literal embrace, and him pushing the House Republicans... did battle with Eric Cantor and John Boehner and forced them to put that relief bill on the floor...”
  — Ryan Lizza (06:32)

5. Terry McAuliffe: A Flawed but Victorious Candidate (07:32-09:56)

• McAuliffe, despite ethical questions and a transactional reputation, won largely due to demographic changes in Virginia and the extremism of his opponent, Ken Cuccinelli.
• External groups (NRA, Bloomberg’s gun control group, Tom Steyer on climate change) played significant, but difficult-to-measure, roles in the outcome.
• Quotes:

  “Nobody mistakes Terry McAuliffe for a possible national candidate for president or vice president.”
  — Hendrik Hertzberg (08:29)
  “When you hear that, you know, your G spot lights right up.”
  — Hendrik Hertzberg, humorously describing liberals’ response to McAuliffe’s anti-NRA stance (09:34)

6. What Makes Christie Different? (10:05-11:40)

• Christie’s coalition includes women and minorities, something the national Republican Party has struggled to achieve.
• The difference between moderate and conservative Republicans is largely tactical rather than ideological.
• “Blue state” Republican governors are not rare, and cross-party victories tend to rely on local issues.
• Quote:

  “As soon as Christie enters the primary, he will have to start appealing and taking positions that will alienate many of the groups that he was quite successful with in New Jersey.”
  — Ryan Lizza (11:32)

7. Bill de Blasio’s Win: Progressive Shift or Return to the Norm? (11:51-13:14)

• de Blasio, a true New York liberal with historic leftist credentials, signals a return to form after the centrist eras of Giuliani and Bloomberg.
• His win is less a repudiation of the old guard and more a reversion to the city’s political baseline.
• Quote:

  “This is really a reversion to the mean... the Giuliani years and the Bloomberg years were anomalies for reasons that have now disappeared.”
  — Hendrik Hertzberg (12:16)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Hendrik Hertzberg:

  “The political situation generally is so volatile. Things change every couple of weeks.” (02:13)
  “He managed to combine being really appealing and being really narcissistic.” (05:09)
  “He doesn’t deal in abstractions. He’s... the beau ideal... of an urban Democrat.” (05:18)
  “When you hear that, you know, your G spot lights right up.” (09:34)
  “This is really a reversion to the mean... the Giuliani years and the Bloomberg years were anomalies...” (12:16)

• Ryan Lizza:

  “They have to prevent sort of fringe Tea Party candidates from winning primaries and getting defeated narrowly in Senate elections that they should win.” (03:27)
  “His embrace of President Obama, literal embrace, and him pushing the House Republicans...” (06:32)
  “As soon as Christie enters the primary, he will have to start... alienating many of the groups that he was quite successful with in New Jersey.” (11:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Broad Election Results & Tea Party: 01:14–03:14
• GOP Internal Struggles: 03:14–04:51
• Chris Christie’s Persona and Appeal: 04:51–06:04
• Challenges Facing Christie: 06:04–07:09
• McAuliffe’s Ethics and Virginia Dynamics: 07:32–09:34
• Gun Control & Outside Spending in VA: 09:34–10:05
• Christie as a Republican Outlier: 10:05–11:40
• Bill de Blasio and NYC’s Shift: 11:51–13:14

Conclusion

This episode provides a nuanced portrait of a shifting American political landscape, where both parties are forced to confront internal rifts and demographic realities. The hosts weigh the appeal—and limitations—of strong, self-styled leaders like Chris Christie while also noting how individual races can reflect (or obscure) bigger trends. The tone is analytical with a frequent wink toward political cynicism and New Yorker-style wit.