Journalism Network Alum Gets Published in The Nation

A recent alumnus of Campus Progress’ journalism network has penned a prominent feature story in this week’s print edition of The Nation.

Michael Tracey, the founder and former editor of The Perspective, a Campus Progress-sponsored publication at The College of New Jersey, is currently a Nation editorial intern. His article, “The Rise of Chris Christie, Governor Wrecking Ball,” appears on page 15 of The Nation’s December 6 issue.

Tracey is no stranger to the national spotlight. Earlier this year, he made national news when, in The Perspective, he quoted possible presidential candidate Mike Huckabee comparing homosexuality to incest, drug use, and polygamy.

Tracey’s latest story ponders the New Jersey governor’s remarkable nationwide appeal: “Just about every relevant Republican constituency has found something to be taken with in Chris Christie,” Tracey writes, even amidst the strife between Tea Party factions and the Republican Party establishment.

Yet the very acts making Christie popular in the short term—in particular, his demonization of unions and near-fetishizing of spending cuts, the inspiration for his nickname “the wrecking ball”—are likely to turn voters against him once they experience the effects, Tracey says:

From pre-kindergarten programs to maintaining state parks, even the most benign public services have become politicized as they fall victim to the “wrecking ball.” Suburban communities … have been forced to eliminate their schools’ music and sports programs; facilities for the mentally ill are closing down; professors at state universities are being furloughed. … [Christie] turned down a compromise with the union that would have brought the state millions in federal education funding because ‘it was intolerable for him to be perceived as giving in to the [union]’ … In April he revoked the state global-warming fund of its entire $65 million allocation; in July he eliminated all $7.5 million in taxpayer support for women’s health services.

All this in addition to canceling the nation’s largest infrastructure project, known as the ARC tunnel, even though it was receiving federal matching funds, construction had already begun, it was expected to pay for itself, and the state was required to repay the feds $271 million that was already spent.

It's not easy for recent college graduates—or anyone, for that matter—to get published in the print edition of one of the country's foremost political magazines. Congratulations to Michael Tracey on his outstanding accomplishment and his truly fascinating article about a politician with a disturbing ideology.

David Spett is the Journalism Network Associate at Campus Progress.

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