Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Those Who Know Him

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to toss his fedora into the Republican clown car today.  Why not?  It’s not like they haven’t got enough talent to choose from, at least in terms of the comic relief.  The GOP now has a bigger cast than Laugh-In.

Most people know Gov. Christie for his short temper (“Sit down and shut up!”), his I-know-nothing alibi for the George Washington Bridge blockage scandal, and his being nice to President Obama after Hurricane Sandy destroyed the Jersey Shore.  But he also has a long track record in his home state, and those who know him are now sharing their views on his leadership and his character.  For example, Tom Moran of the Newark Star-Ledger:

Most Americans don’t know Chris Christie like I do, so it’s only natural to wonder what testimony I might offer after covering his every move for the last 14 years.

Is it his raw political talent? No, they can see that.

Is it his measurable failure to fix the economy, solve the budget crisis or even repair the crumbling bridges? No, his opponents will cover that if he ever gets traction.

My testimony amounts to a warning: Don’t believe a word the man says.

He then details a number of instances where Mr. Christie said one thing and then either did another or demonstrably lied about it, summing up:

Webster’s defines lie this way: “To make an untrue statement with intent to deceive.” That fits neatly.

And that’s my warning to America. When Christie picks up the microphone, he speaks so clearly and forcefully that you assume genuine conviction is behind it.

Be careful, though. It’s a kind of spell.

He is a remarkable talent with a silver tongue. But if you look closely, you can see that it is forked like a serpent’s.

I don’t expect Mr. Christie will be the Republican nominee, but it’s good to know what those who know him think of him.

To quote E.K. Hornbeck in the film Inherit the Wind: “He has no enemies.  Only his friends hate him.”

3 barks and woofs on “Those Who Know Him

  1. He is a very rude man. You must select your words carefully if you are president. I can’t see him doing that.

  2. @lark: selecting one’s words carefully is not a criterion for the GOTea pResidential race. There will be some who see Christie’s in-your-face rudeness as a talent.

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