As Bethesda 1971 readers know, I am no fan of the tunnel-killing, bridge-blocking, teacher-bullying New Jersey Governor. (See the current number one recommended diary for more on the GWB story.)
However, I must give him credit for doing the right thing and signing the New Jersey Dream Act (via Steve M.). Not only is it the right thing, it is great news for Democrats, because as Steve M. points out, this immigration position almost certainly dooms his hopes for the Republican Presidential nomination.
Christie is by far the strongest hope for Republicans in 2016. He was elected in a blue state, has a personality (not to my liking, but still an advantage over Paul, Rubio et al. who lack one of those) and can do no wrong for the lapdog, courtier, fawning media, who follow him like a 13 year old girl following Harry Styles of One Direction.
But immigration is the third rail, ticking time bomb, elephant in the room, lurking specter of the Republican primary electorate. For them it is a form of "acceptable" racism, and embracing this of all issues, is very likely to doom any Republican's nomination chances.
Exhibit A is Rick Perry's inexplicable and completely out of character expression of compassion for immigrants which (much more than his "oops" moment) killed his 2012 boomlet in the primaries. Exhibit B is Marco Rubio's plummet in the polls after his endorsement of immigration reform.
So good move all around, Chris.
I will wait until tomorrow to continue to find links to the GWB closing.