He’s the ultimate political survivor, Save Jerseyans. You have to give him that if nothing else.
Yes, his approval rating in New Jersey is below-20%.
Yes, two of his former top lieutenants just got convicted on federal corruption charges after a trial when both prosecution and defense alike pointed the finger at him.
Yes, he’s facing a criminal complaint of his own.
Governor Chris Christie cares not this morning.
“Here I am,” the embattled N.J. Republican told Charlie Rose during a recent sit-down interview, referring to his political viability.
And there he was, on Election Night, at President-elect Donald Trump’s victory party standing next to Trump’s victorious South Jersey native campaign manager Kellyanne Conway. Looking tired, you bet, but very much alive nonetheless.
Christie earned a shout out from the future president and, away from the stage’s direct limelight, he continues to head-up the Trump transition team’s efforts mere hours after being mocked by his familiar antagonists over at NJ.com for voting “in the darkness” and “without fanfare” for Trump (he usually announces when he’s voting to the press but didn’t do so this time around). No one’s laughing at him today.
Where he ends up is anyone’s guess. A cabinet post? The West Wing in some capacity? Or in a party position, perhaps as RNC Chairman?
When he does, will that trigger his resignation and result in Governor Kim Guadagno ahead of her own bid to succeed him next year?
Go ahead. Try to predict this guy’s trajectory. I’ve been following him as closely as anyone since 2008, through triumphs and setbacks, and it’s still a mystery to me.
I wrote about his political talent (and tactical malleability) back in February when he shocked a lot of folks by endorsing Trump. This site may’ve been the only outlet that wasn’t surprised.
Love or loathe him, the only thing that’s certain is that you can’t count him out. Not for a second.
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