Social Slipup: Chris Christie dubbed “Governor YouTube”

image
Published: 30 Aug, 2012
2 min read

With a focus on social media blunders, Twitter gaffes, and Facebook faux pas, we’ll be profiling one politician, political figure, organization, or candidate who has committed one of the social media sins in our weekly series Social Slipups.

Image from realclearpolitics.com

Infamous for his blunt, “tell it like it is” mentality, the Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie is making news with his recent speech given at the 2012 Republican National Convention. Although many praise him for his straightforward delivery of speeches, arguing that he is a breath of fresh air from all the “pandering” politicians out there, his comments delivered in the public eye can sometimes be interpreted as crass.

The governor has become a well known political figure on YouTube. After a slew of videos of the governor interacting with various press and constituents, he was dubbed as “Governor Youtube”.

Various YouTube videos have been posted of the governor, shedding a more negative light on his appearance in social media with critics implying that he is more concerned about receiving publicity than improving New Jersey economically.

“Web videos of Christie berating teachers at town hall meetings quickly went viral, giving Christie a large national audience. Critics dubbed him "Gov. YouTube," suggesting he was more interested in getting publicity for himself than for improving New Jersey's finances.” - Huffington Post's Beth Fouhy and Thomas Beaumont

Here are just a couple videos of Governor Christie that have gone viral in the past:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkuTm-ON904

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpGQZPW9KVU

As well as some TMZ coverage of a Jersey Shore fight.

IVP Donate

The question of whether those on the other end of his shouting matches and name calling actually deserved the attacks is subjective. But the high view counts on captured encounters has elevated the governor's official YouTube channel to high popularity along with his nation wide fame. For many, this may provide grounds for questioning his need for publicity.

With some already trying to predict candidates for the 2016 election, many are criticizing his speech as the RNC as yet another pull for self-publicity. ThinkProgress reports that in his speech given yesterday, he said the word “I” a whopping 37 times while “Mitt Romney” was benched at just a 7 mentions. The blog post’s guide used words like “bragged” and “touting” to describe Christie’s speech.

As a result of video social media being a channel in which politicians can gain publicity (both negative and positive) the case of Governor Chris Christie and his criticism of priorities makes way for Gov. YouTube to be this week’s “Social Slipup”.

You Might Also Like

Partisan chess game.
The Gerrymandering Fight is About Democracy -- But Not for the Reasons You Think
The Texas GOP made two significant moves in the last few months to enhance their chances in the 2026 midterms. The first made national headlines and provoked a Democratic Party response. The second has flown under the radar....
20 Oct, 2025
-
4 min read
Isn't It Weird That Congress Feels No Urgency to Re-Open the Government?
Isn't It Weird That Congress Feels No Urgency to Re-Open the Government?
The U.S. has entered Day 22 of the latest government shutdown with no end in sight. As pundits expect it to surpass the 35-day record set during Trump’s first term, a new Gallup poll shows voters’ approval of Congress has plummeted in the last month. Yet, for congressional leaders, there isn’t any urgency to re-open the government. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries trade jabs back and forth in the media, but the blame game continues to be prioritized over solutions....
22 Oct, 2025
-
5 min read
Proposition 50 voter guide
California Prop 50: Partisan Power Play or Necessary Counterpunch?
November 4 marks a special election for what has become the most controversial ballot measure in California in recent memory: Proposition 50, which would circumvent congressional districts drawn by the state’s independent redistricting commission for a legislative-drawn map....
01 Oct, 2025
-
9 min read