Christie Dent 2016?

Hey, it could happen. It might even be Dent Christie.

When I saw the two of them together, and the obvious regard they have for each other, I started thinking these two would make a great Presidential ticket. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, whose tough stance on government spending is sending shockwaves through the nation, insisted about a gazillion times that he has no interest in running for the Presidency in 2012. OK, what about 2016? By that time, the Guv' and then Senator Charlie Dent might be ready.

Affable Chris Christie was in Allentown's Four Points Sheraton yesterday to promote Charlie Dent for Congress. "I am not here by coincidence," he stressed, noting that he only campaigns for a few candidates that he really believes in, and Dent is one of them. He wants to be able to "look you in the eye" when he endorses someone. On November 2, he'll be watching election returns, and won't be happy until he sees that check mark by Dent's name. "Don't make me come back here," he joked with a crowd of nearly 200 Dent supporters.

Dent introduces Christie as a "natural hero," a New Jersey Governor who actually believes it's time that "government live within its means" and who is "accountable to the people."

As New Jersey's U.S. Attorney, Christie went after public corruption, winning pleas or convictions from 130 public officials without losing a single case. He then went after 45 Bloods gang members, and prosecuted 1,500 child pornographers. He also led the team that stopped a terrorist plan to mount an attack at Fort Dix.

Dent noted that the VEEP had been in town to raise money for John Callahan. "He can have Joe Biden, I'll take Chris Christie."

Christie, who looks a lot like an offensive tackle with the NFL, told the crowd he had an Irish father and a Sicilian mother. "This is what gave me my skills at dispute resolution," he joked. He described his dad as happy-go-lucky, but said his mother was the "enforcer."

He learned about fiscal responsibility from her when, as a boy, he'd tell her he wanted something.

"Christopher," she'd say, "Go in the back yard and grab some money from the money tree."

"But we don't have a money tree in the back yard."

"Exactly."

There is no money tree, and it's time that politicians stop pandering to voters. "Treat them like adults," said Christie. "Tell them the truth."

Instead of vilifying Democrats, Christie said the only way to accomplish anything is "in a bi-partisan way." But he claims his entire political philosophy is based on four basic Reagan principles: smaller government; less spending; less regulation; and lower taxes.

He said this might make him unpopular, even within his own party, at times. But he added, "I'm not here to run a charm school."

How did I end up there? Dent Campaign Spokesperson Gregg Bortz caught me with a piece of paper that said "Pull" instead of "Press." Reporters got press passes while bloggers got pull passes. Anyway, Gregg had a special spot all picked out for me and even gave me a National Enquirer. After sitting in the boiler room for a half hour, I realized that Gregg must have been confused and just started wandering around, opening doors, until I found the right spot.

Governor Christie told everyone they should move back to Jersey so they won't have so far to drive when they go to the shore.