Julian Zelizer : New Jersey Gov . Historically , at the national level , Republicans have often backed off from tough talk about spending reduction when programs proved to be more popular than conservatives expected . Chris Christie is given responsibility for tackling budget problems . He says Christie 's focus on cutting spending is a test for the Republican party . It runs counter to a national GOP trend of stressing issues such as birthright citizenship , he says . Zelizer : Christie , bringing in someone like him could give Democrats trouble in many states .
Julian Zelizer : New Jersey Gov . Chris Christie is given responsibility for tackling budget problems . He says Christie 's focus on cutting spending is a test for the Republican party . It runs counter to a national GOP trend of stressing issues such as birthright citizenship , he says . Zelizer : Christie , bringing in someone like him could give Democrats trouble in many states .