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Chris Christie went on ABC’s This Week and did what too few in our party dare to do right now: he told the truth about Republican messaging. He didn’t mince words. He called the GOP’s closing arguments ahead of the midterms “political malpractice.” If you are tired of spin, here’s a clear-eyed take on why Christie is right and what the party should stop doing immediately.
Christie’s charge: “political malpractice”
On the Sunday roundtable, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie ripped into the talking points being used to defend House and Senate majorities. He said the party has been asking voters to accept three bad ideas at once — and that asking people to swallow that stew is a tactical disaster. Christie even singled out House Majority Whip Tom Emmer on the air for defending a party line that hinges on reflex loyalty to President Donald Trump. The message from Christie is simple: loyalty tests are not a substitute for a winning argument.
The three talking points that will lose elections
Christie named the three messages that Republicans are currently running with — and why they fail. First, defending purchases of Russian diesel or energy as something voters should ignore looks awful and raises real questions about judgment and national security. Second, telling Americans “the economy is great” while they feel pain at the pump and in the grocery aisle is tone-deaf. Third, normalizing livestreaming a federal execution as a law-and-order boast is a freak show, not a vote-winner. Put those together and you have a closing argument that turns persuadable voters away.
Leadership loyalty vs. getting results
This isn’t just about bad lines. It is about a culture that says you must back everything the leader says if you want to keep your job. Christie called that out as malpractice for the same reason a coach who refuses to change plays despite losing the game gets fired. Republican voters want leaders who win, not leaders who recite doctrinal talking points while suburban and independent voters walk out the door. If House leadership keeps insisting on reflexive defenses, they will find their majorities smaller after the midterms.
How the GOP repairs its message and wins
The fix is not rocket science. Start with honesty on the economy: acknowledge real struggles and offer clear plans to lower costs. Stop pretending controversial moves on Russian diesel or execution broadcasts are applause lines. Shift to competence, local issues, and simple common-sense positions that appeal to swing voters. And stop treating loyalty to the leader as the only litmus test. If Republicans want to keep power, they should put winning ahead of theatrics. Christie was blunt. The party would do well to listen.
