Chris Christie’s Risky Gambit

Has the (erstwhile) Fat Man made his first big political error?

In announcing a special election in October to find a permanent replacement for Senator Frank Lautenberg, who died on Monday, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie runs the risk of appearing to be trying to have it both ways. He has reserved the right to appoint a Republican to serve in the Senate until October, which should theoretically please his colleagues in the G.O.P. But in scheduling the special election for October rather than November, when he himself is up for reëlection, he has opened himself up to the accusation that he is putting his own interests before those of his party, and of his taxpaying constituents.

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