'Truth-teller, Demagogue, or Both?'

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In a lengthy profile, The New York Times gives Chris Christie the attention and respect he deserves.

8:10 AM, Feb 27, 2011 • By THOMAS O'BAN

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To portray Christie in this cartoonish way, as so many critics do, is to vastly underestimate his skill as a politician. The most sophisticated communicators of the modern era hammer at a consistent argument about their moment and the response it demands, and they choose carefully constructed metaphors to make the choices ahead seem obvious — think of Ronald Reagan’s morning in America, or Bill Clinton’s bridge to the 21st century. And Christie’s communications strategy is about as sophisticated as any you will find in American politics right now.

Thomas O'Ban is an intern at THE WEEKLY STANDARD.