Psychoanalyzing Christie: Why the love for Obama?
The internets are atwitter today, scratching their collective head to grapple with the fact that a big-name Republican and the biggest-name Democrat HUNG OUT YESTERDAY at the Jersey Shore.
Psychoanalyzing Christie: Why the love for Obama?
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
The internets are atwitter today, scratching their collective head to grapple with the fact that a big-name Republican and the biggest-name Democrat HUNG OUT YESTERDAY at the Jersey Shore.
The most obvious explanation is that New Jersey is in a lot of pain right now, needs a lot of hands and a lot of cash. No one in America has more access to what Christie needs to help his state than Obama. And by all early indications, Obama is helping. He called Christie at midnight on Tuesday, roused him out of bed:
POTUS: Chris, Barack here. What do you need?
GOV: Emergency declaration, stat.
POTUS: Done.
And it was. Two hours later, FEMA called Christie to say it was taken care of. That no-nonsene, cut-through-bureaucracy approach speaks to this governor like nothing else. So Christie has expressed appreciation, over and over again, telling everyone that the president has been a pleasure to deal with.
Those on the ground in Jersey, as we reported today, loved the fact that these two disparate politicians came together to visit them. The top liberal blog in the state, Blue Jersey, wrote Christie a public letter of thanks. One reader named Ellis wrote to me asking: "What's the dirty secret motive here that's going to snuff out this small ember of pride I feel for America?"
Well, Ellis, you may be the least cynical guy around. Just consider the reaction from your fellow Americans.
There's the supposition, here, that Christie has inside information that Romney is going to lose. Or that Christie is just prepping for his 2013 re-election campaign in an Obama-loving New Jersey.
The conservative Daily Caller floats several theories, including: 1) Christie wants to help Romney lose so he can run for president himself in 2016, 2) Christie is pissed he wasn't tapped for VP, and 3) Christie and Romney had a fight.
Meanwhile, conservate commentator Tucker Carlson said Christie simply doesn't like Romney, and he's just being passive-aggressive about it by kissing up to Obama.
Jeffrey Goldberg at The Atlantic surmised that Christie is trying to woo his rock idol, Bruce Springsteen, the staunch Democrat who has famously cold-shouldered him.
If that was the goal, looks like it worked. Last night at a concert in Rochester, NY., Springsteen spoke of the Jersey Shore disaster and then essentially dedicated "My City of Ruins" to Christie, saying: "We'll send this out to all the people working down there: the police officers, the firemen, and also to the governor, who has done such a hard job this past week."
Believe what you will. Or just listen to Stephen Colbert break it down in the way only he can:
Or, New Jersey has just been slammed with one of the worst storms in its history, and these two guys are just doing their jobs. I haven't been a huge fan of Christie, but the fact that he was able to put politics aside for the sake of his state has given me new found respect for the man. The car salesman running for president on the republican ticket could learn something from this.— Hemingway- Christie is smart to praise Obama. He helps Obama win the election and slyly helps knock out Romney without actually being overtly disloyal. Christie looks Presidential and positions himself to run in 2016. Very very smart.
— DarnelX - I don't like chubby because he acts like a bully, but I don't doubt he did this to position himself for 2016 if Romney doesn't win.— Jasper2020
- Katz is an example of the new left who wants to collect all the taxes from Republicans but doesn't want to do anything for Republicans when they are faced with a disaster. If Katz had his way, Christie would ask for nothing and then Christie would lose the next election because he did nothing to help people. You far left crazies better start toning it down. You're starting to sound worse than al-Qaida.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- obama is doing what any president would be. Vote Romney for hope and change. enough of the socialist welfare state in this country.— psualum
- Romney would not have helped NJ. — CommonSense in Philly
- It's good news for NJ that Obama is the President. If Romney was President, he would've told Christie and NJ that YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. NO HELP FROM ME.— CommonSense in Philly
- becuase christie already knows obama won the election. the results will be released after the "feel good" straw poll next week.— lighterfluid
- becuase christie already knows obama won the election. the results will be released after the "feel good" straw poll next week.— lighterfluid
- becuase christie already knows obama won the election. the results will be released after the "feel good" straw poll next week.— lighterfluid
- becuase christie already knows obama won the election. the results will be released after the "feel good" straw poll next week.— lighterfluid
- How exactly does Chris Christie take a dump?— Bradley85
- Christie sealed his demise for national office with now two deal breakers: Morbid Obesity - Slobbering over Obama begging for cash
He lacks the class and situational awareness to tailor 'appropriate'
comments that addresses his concerns for Federal Disaster relief while
not PLAYING TO THE MEDIA DURING AN ELECTION!
— American.Dude61 - "Romney doesn't care about white people." --Kanye West— brentrn
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
