Give Christie a Break

Think of the Alternatives - Pic courtesy of Wikipedia

by blogSpotter

With all the scandal surrounding New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, I see the situation differently than the blood-thirsty bloggers at Daily KOS and Huffington Post. Many progressives seem to take delight in the trials that the portly governor has endured with "Bridge-gate".

Did Christie know that his operatives vindictively closed a bridge to the town of a mayor who dissed the portly governor? The bridge is a single-point access to the town; the "traffic study" closed off two essential lanes. The resulting traffic jam created a nightmare situation. There were actual health consequences for people needing ambulance service.

Today, there have been suggestions that Christie knew of the closings and even may have orchestrated the bridge closing. Liberal editors and late-night comedians have lambasted Christie over the series of events. The actions, if true, would suggest a "boss-man" bully who will do anything to get his way.

I have a problem with all of needling, keeping in mind that Christie is (was?) the probable 2016 GOP front-runner. Christie is a "Rockefeller" Republican of the old school. He's socially liberal and pragmatic in fiscal affairs. Unlike the Tea Party extremists, Christie would probably work in a bipartisan way if elected. The GOP is presently adrift and I fear who might be the alternative if Christie were disqualified. Names like Rand Paul and Ted Cruze come to mind -- names that send a shudder through my soul.

We have a schizo electorate that swung directly from George W. Bush to Barack Hussein Obama in 2008. Who can predict what way the wind is blowing in 2016? There is residual anger over the bungled roll-out of Obamacare and Obama's ratings are low right now. Hillary Clinton (presumed 2016 Democratic front-runner) has two tons of political baggage and her victory in 2016 is not assured. It will be great if BOTH candidates are people we can live with. Heads or tails - a win.

So Democrats -- as you roll tanks over Chris Christie, keep in mind the stage you are setting. The American electorate is fickle; it seems to elect people based on whimsy, style, and momentary air currents. A Tea Party activist with style and flair could upstage Hillary and it's not even a long shot. I'm hoping that Christie wasn't too much of a "crime boss". What did he know and when did he know it? Let's hope not much and late in the game. A bridge-closing Christie would probably still be preferable to a government-closing Cruze.

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