The biggest change to campaign finance law in America: Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. More redistricting maps look to be heading to court, which opens up questions about which judges should decide the questions — and if they have time to do it before the next election. And while Christie basks in national spotlight, Romney and Perry try to dial back fundraising expectations before filing deadline. 

He’s said over and over (and over again) that he’s not running for president this year, but in front of a sold out audience at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Gov. Chris Christie chose not be so direct. Instead, the governor of state gave a soaring speech that pointed to the ways bipartisan domestic policy achievements are an essential plank of foreign policy – a framing that would fit nicely should he decide to make the case a governor with 20 months on the job has the experience necessary to lead America on a global stage.

"Real American Exceptionalism"

Mrs. Reagan, distinguished guests. It is an honor for me to be here at the Reagan Library to speak to you today. I want to thank Mrs. Reagan for her gracious invitation. I am thrilled to be here.

Ronald Reagan believed in this country. He embodied the ...

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie gives a speech at the Perspectives on Leadership Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

He will address the forum from 9-10pm EDT in a speech entitled "Real American Exceptionalism," which will use examples from President Reagan's time in office to discuss how the "United ...

New Jersey Republicans raised almost $2.5 million in the first half of 2011, beating their Democratic counterparts by a margin of more than 2-to-1. It's hard to understate Governor Chris Christie's influence on these numbers—mere speculation about a presidential run is a guaranteed money-maker.

Looks like Rep. Dennis Kucinich can end his district-shopping, as Ohio's redistricted map looks to have treated him less harshly than he expected. A proposal to change Pennsylvania's electoral college rules away from a winner-take-all approach continues to divide state Republicans. And days after the Department of Justice sent Texas' map back to reconsider its treatment of Latino voters, Los Angeles considers the tipping point of when Latino population growth earns Latino residents another majority district. 

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has consistently denied he plans to run for president. But an invitation from former First Lady Nancy Reagan to give a high profile speech on leadership at the Ronald Reagan Presidential library in California and a week of political fundraisers across the country has rekindled the speculation.

Larry Sabato, a professor at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics Professor says the 2012 presidential primary schedule is still in flux, so a late entry by a Christie is technically still possible.

With news that NJ Gov. Chris Christie has been tapped to give the keynote speech at this year's Republican National Convention, we at It's a Free Country collected 15 articles, videos and interviews involving the charismatic New Jersey Governor. Consider it Christie's public image primer: From his infamous YouTube videos smacking down detractors, to his articulate defense of Republican policy, to conversations with late night host Jimmy Fallon and WNYC morning host Brian Lehrer.

Whether his keynote propels him into the spotlight for 2016 or not, we're going to see a lot more of Chris Christie in the coming years. Here's what you may have missed so far.

In a new Siena Research Institute poll, 47 percent of registered voters in the state would re-elect Obama, and 47 percent would prefer to vote for 'someone else'. When that challenger is Rick Perry or Mitt Romney, however, the President has a double-digit lead.

In a break from previous practice, the public gets to see New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's out-of-state fundraising schedule, which comes at a time of intense presidential speculation (again). Who's paying for your new redistricted Congressional map? It's no easy to find out. And it's early, but small donors to Barack Obama's 2008 campaign say they're already planning to sit this one out. 

The president has been calling on Latinos and he’s learning that they’re just not that into him.

Gallup’s latest polls show President Obama getting his lowest monthly job rating since taking office. Only four in ten approve of his job performance. The polls also reveal a precipitous decline in his approval among Latinos, a bad omen for Obama and his party who rely heavily on the community for votes.

On September 22nd, the Republican Party of Florida hosted a Fox News/Google debate between candidates for the GOP presidential nomination. It's a Free Country reporter Anna Sale was joined by Nicole Gelinas of the Manhattan Institute, libertarian journalist Dorian Davis and fellow political junkies for a live chat.