Lesson 1 for prosecutors-turned-guvs: Compromise

admin Contributor
Font Size:

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Chris Christie built his reputation putting elected officials in prison.

When he becomes New Jersey’s governor on Jan. 19, the former U.S. attorney can expect a very different relationship with politicians: He’ll have to work with them.

Many have found the path from pit bull prosecutor to government executive a bumpy one, though some have thrived. Most have learned that success hinges on one word: compromise.

Also to be sworn in as governor this month is Virginia’s Bob McDonnell, a former state attorney general and prosecutor in Virginia Beach. He and Christie join a handful of chief executives who come from strong law enforcement backgrounds — where the heart of the job was busting bad guys and where lawmakers didn’t second-guess them.