The Contrast Couldn't Be Clearer...

...between those who are real leaders and those who aren't. Definitely in the "not a real leader" category is Barack Obama. His cowardly budget continues the big domestic spending while completely ignoring the massive problem of entitlements which threatens our country with bankruptcy. Charles Krauthammer has a lot more details in his great column here.

In the "real leader" category are two tough, courageous governors: Mitch Daniels of Indiana and Chris Christie of New Jersey. Both of these men are real leaders who taking the painful steps necessary to fix their states' financial problems, all the while being honest with their constituents about what's at stake. Peggy Noonan has a lot more details in her great column here.

The Anti-Obama

What if voters elected an honest chief executive, somebody who was willing to tell them the truth about the government's budget crisis and looming insolvency instead of spending like there was no tomorrow? What if that politician was willing to take on the powerful special interests that have controlled the government for decades instead of appeasing them? What if that politician cared more about our future and the future of our children and grandchildren than he did about his own political future? What if that politician made himself accessible to the people through townhall meetings AFTER he was elected? It's not a pipe dream. It's really happening -- and in New Jersey of all places. Meet Governor Chris Christie, the anti-Obama. Christie is everything Obama is not: honest, tough, independent, accessible, a leader in a crisis, focused on finding solutions.

Take a look at this guy in action. These videos will make you want to stand up and cheer -- or at least engage in some exuberant fist-pumping!

--His speech just after taking office declaring New Jersey in a state of fiscal crisis.

--A townhall meeting speech about school funding and the NJ supreme court.

--Speeches taking on the powerful teachers' unions in NJ here and here.

--A townhall meeting speech about government accountability to the people.

It goes without saying that we need a leader like this in Washington as well as Trenton.

Finally, a Governor Who Gets It

Governor Chris Christie is shaking up the corrupt political establishment in New Jersey. It's about time, as many years of liberal mismanagement have left the state with a deficit of nearly $11 billion out of a $29 billion budget. Even among Republicans, it is hard to find politicians willing to take on powerful special interests and to make necessary but unpopular spending cuts. But Christie is one of those rare politicians. As Rush Limbaugh put it: "Is it wrong to love another man? Because I love Chris Christie."

Check out the links here and here.