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If my mind is in the gutter, at least I have company

In an era where presidents are judged on the meaning of "is," what does what New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says say about him?

In the interest of full disclosure, I was among the dirty-minded political observers who gasped at an exchange New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie had with a female heckler at a rally in New Hampshire last weekend.

In case you missed it, after the woman barked that Christie was a job-killer, the governor responded with this doozy: "Something may go down tonight, but it ain't going to be jobs, sweetheart."

From my couch Sunday night, I sent this email to my friend and colleague Matt Katz, he of the Christie Chronicles:

you see this stuff about christie in exeter? was he saying what dave & i think he was saying???

("dave" refers to husband, a former New Jersey political reporter-turned-author who also had his mind in the gutter, apparently.)

Katz witnessed the exchange and was puzzled.

Didn't even think of that, he wrote back, adding that the remark sounded like one of Christie's signature verbal smackdowns.

oh, like she'd be hitting the floor after he KO'd her, I replied, still unconvinced.

Days later, I'm vindicated a bit by a growing chorus -- see here and here -- of folks who also suspect Christie was talking sex, not trash.

Even Katz has blogged on the debate.

I'm as sensitive as the next gal, but I'm less offended by Christie's tongue-lashing than I am surprised. Here's a pol who's made his national reputation by shooting from the hip and knowing just how far to push and pummel. He has acknowledged a need to self-edit, but he rarely stumbles.

I have a hunch the First Lady put the governor in his place upon his return to the Garden State. Loose lips not only sink ships. They can kill careers.

-- Monica Yant Kinney

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