Jesse Scheckner
Republicans are the self-described party of small government, business-friendly policies and limited regulation, but Gov. Ron DeSantis’ fights against Disney and transgender rights conflict with those tenets, according to fellow GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie.
If DeSantis wants to be a conservative standard-bearer, Christie said, he has to stay out of people’s private lives and let consumers determine the fate of outspoken, so-called “woke” businesses.
“We’re having a lot of arguments in this country about transgender issues, and there are some — including the Governor of this state — who believe that he should decide what can happen in your family, with your children and not. I don’t want him deciding what happens inside my family,” he said.
“We have this group now, folks like Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump and Vivek Ramaswamy who believe in big government conservatism and if there’s something going on in this country they don’t personally like, they want the government to pass a law to stop it. Sorry, no one knows (or) loves my four children more than me and my wife. I think that applies to every parent out there, (and) I want parents and families to make those decisions.”
Christie’s comments came Friday morning during a campaign stop at CasaCuba Restaurant hosted by Miami’s Community News. For close to two hours, the former New Jersey Governor touched on a variety of subjects, from the Jan. 6 riot and talk about Donald Trump skipping the GOP debate next week to affordable housing, health care reform and a leaked memo of debate tactics by a pro-DeSantis PAC.
DeSantis’ feud with Disney over the media and entertainment giant’s opposition to state laws restricting LGBTQ inclusivity in public schools also drew ire from Christie.
“I don’t agree with some of the things that Disney has said and done. But you know who I think gets to decide those things? Disney and their shareholders,” he said. “And you know who gets to decide whether we want to go there anymore? Us. So if they’re doing stuff and standing up for stuff that you don’t believe in, then don’t go to Disney World — probably a horrible thing to say in Florida, right?”
He threw similar shade at Florida’s Governor for joining a chorus of Republicans throwing tantrums over a trans-friendly Bud Light advertising campaign. In July, DeSantis suggested his administration might sue the beer brand’s parent company, Anheuser-Busch, because the controversial ad campaign had caused a stock downturn that “injured” Floridians reliant on the state pension fund.
“Bud Light made a marketing decision,” Christie said. “That’s their right to do. Turns out to not be a very good one, according to the American people, because you go into any liquor store anywhere in America and let me tell you something, you can get Bud Light on clearance. There’s plenty on the shelves.
“My point to you is the American people should be making these decisions, not the government, because once the government starts to make those decisions, maybe today you like what they’re going after, but tomorrow maybe they’re going after something you like, and you’re not going to like that too much. The best way, I think, for government to be involved in this is not to be. Let consumers make these decisions. That’s what smart conservatism is.”
15 comments
Terri
August 18, 2023 at 2:44 pm
He has a sound way of looking at things like Americans like it. This is a free country. Not everyone believes in everything but that is the great thing about freedom! By the way Anhueser Busch does not own the company anymore. It was sold to a Belgium company.
Dr. Franklin Waters
August 18, 2023 at 2:46 pm
A few days ago DeSantis was asked how he would responsd if his kids turn out to be gay or trans and he answered:
“We’ll leave that between my wife and I”
Whooooosh. What a tremendous lack of self awareness.
In his case it’s between just him and Jill, but for the rest of us he wants to get the government involved in these matters.
Yeah, f*ck him.
Taliban soldiers
August 18, 2023 at 4:53 pm
You are exactly right. Don’t tell him but him and his zealots will tell the rest of us. How is this different than the Taliban?
JoanofArc
August 18, 2023 at 2:48 pm
Why is Chris Christie running?
It’s such an enigma.
He is supposed to be a practicing Catholic – clearly he takes a libertarian position…. but permanently, chemically or surgically altering minors’s bodies is not okay.
This is why thy UK Sweden and other countries have said no to this until the minors are 21 years of age.
Get a grip Chris. Also, study the moral teaching of your faith, your position is not aligned with the Catechism you profess to believe.
Ocean Joe
August 18, 2023 at 3:46 pm
Just a friendly reminder, regardless of why anybody is running, the establishment clause of the constitution enshrines separation of church and state, as it should.
Keep your religion to yourself, worship as you please, be grateful the US government allows your church tax free status despite massive real estate holdings and wealth. Respect the right of others to worship as they please, as well as those who choose not to.
Umpire of Rome
August 18, 2023 at 9:16 pm
Anyone who thinks she deserves to be called JoanofArc is delusional. You are correct about the Catholicism, but incorrect about who you are. Catholicism also forbids capital punishment, but so many of you say, oh, that’s a mistake, we need to kill the killers. Not at all what Christ said, not at all what the Catholic Church say. So call the Catholic politicians out, if you wish, but call it all the way.
PeterH
August 19, 2023 at 12:29 am
Psychiatrist and the medical community does not agree with you! Children are born male and female but gender identity is variable! Some children are born with male and female genitalia….. and parents MUST DECIDE sometime shortly after birth how they would like to raise their child. Hormones are then administered ….organs are adjusted. These decisions MUST BE LEFT UP TO PARENTS AND DOCTORS….. not the government.
Michael K
August 18, 2023 at 4:35 pm
Amen and thank you! Last thing we need is an American Taliban – especially radical white “Christian” nationalists.
Bogey
August 18, 2023 at 4:50 pm
If I were a republican I would agree with Chris
Earl Pitts "The Ronald's UnOfficial Campaign Manager" American
August 18, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Again America:
We never hear anything about Christy’s wife.
Its all over-kill Dook 4 Brains assults on Desantis wife. Why?
I, Earl Pitts American, have a working theory that Christy’s wife may be a homer testical dude.
Thank you America,
EPA
Silly Wabbit
August 18, 2023 at 9:17 pm
You kwazy.
PeterH
August 19, 2023 at 12:19 am
FINALLY one Republican candidate who is morally capable of leading this great country of ours!
God help us if Republicans don’t throw Trump, DeSantis (little trumpet) and Ramaswamy under the Republican Klown Buses!
Sonja Fitch
August 19, 2023 at 4:08 am
Omg! Agreeing with Chris Christie AGAIN!
Al
August 19, 2023 at 9:55 am
Geez, I’m a Democrat and I believe in what Christie said.
Dale A Arnold
August 19, 2023 at 11:17 am
Christie is right! The republican party has a white “Christian” nationalist problem ! Christian is in quotes because they wouldn’t know Jesus if kick them in the @#$&!.. They wouldn’t like that olive skined Jewish guy anyway!
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