Some writers call it a “backhanded compliment.” Others call it “damning with faint praise.” It’s when someone extols another person as a great champion … then lists accomplishments that are underwhelming.
Usually it’s done by someone who is hostile, but New Jersey Governor Chris Christie did it to himself when discussing his pro-life accomplishments as part of his 2016 presidential campaign.
In a recent campaign press release, Christie includes the pro-life actions that he is willing to talk about on the stump.
The section reads in whole:
Strongly Defending The Rights Of The Unborn
As both a candidate and as Governor in one of the most heavily-Democratic states in the nation, Governor Christie has stood by his principles and strongly defended the rights of the unborn.
- The First Pro-Life Candidate Elected Statewide Since Roe Vs. Wade: Governor Christie: “And when they said it could never be done, now twice – twice, for the first time since Roe vs. Wade, New Jersey has elected a pro-life governor of New Jersey.”
- Vetoing Funding For Planned Parenthood Every Year In Office: Each year since taking office, Governor Christie has vetoed $7.5 million for Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics.
- Supporting Parental Notification For Minors Who Seek Abortions. During his 2009 campaign for Governor, Christie called for requiring parental notification before minors could get an abortion, saying it should be “something we can agree on, Republicans and Democrats.”
- Supporting A 24-Hour Waiting Period Before An Abortion. In 2009, Governor Christie also supported a 24-hour waiting period, stating it “makes sense when someone’s making as difficult a decision as terminating a pregnancy. And I would certainly be an advocate for that as well.”
So, his strong defense of the unborn includes one accomplishment, albeit an important one: Vetoing funding for Planned Parenthood.
His three other actions “defending” the unborn include the fact that he was elected and that he has proposed—but not actually enacted—two of the least controversial, least invasive abortion restrictions known to man: a 24-hour waiting period and parental notification (not consent).
Strangely, the sheet leaves off his support for the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would restrict abortion to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. That bill is supported by every GOP presidential hopeful, including pro-choice Republican George Pataki.
Yes, New Jersey is an overwhelmingly Democratic state, which makes passing new initiatives difficult.
But even his pro-life proposals—much less his accomplishments—don’t match those of Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, John Kasich, or Jim Gilmore.
This is yet another reason Christians won’t vote for Chris Christie in the primaries.
