This Guy Is the Second Coming of Jon Huntsman

A few years back, liberals thought Republicans were insane for not nominating Jon Huntsman. Now, they have a new "unsolicited prescription for the GOP's ills," observes Matt Lewis at The Week: Chris Christie. Liberals everywhere are writing that Christie's high approval rating in a blue state proves he's a contender. "Don't believe everything you read, folks," Lewis cautions. "Being wildly popular at the state level … may not be the best predictor for national success." Case in point: Sarah Palin had an 88% approval rating in Alaska.

Yes, Christie has won over a blue state while enacting some pretty conservative policies. But Christie's popularity "is directly related to his willingness to throw fellow Republicans under the bus," a schtick the media eats up. That model doesn't work for a national candidate—just ask John McCain, a media darling until he was forced to fight a Democrat instead of his own party. It's "an outcome many believe will repeat itself if and when Christie tacks right to win a primary." Click for Lewis' full column. (More Chris Christie stories.)