The incomparable Maureen Dowd sat down with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, to talk about Trump, who remains incomprehensibly misunderstood. Chris Christie understands him. For instance: I don’t think he’s ever gone up against somebody who knows how to do what he does. He’s never run against somebody from New Jersey who understands what the New York thing is and what he’s all about. For people like me, who’ve grown up here and lived my whole life in this atmosphere, he’s just one of a lot of people I know who have that personality. He knows I know what his game is.
Finally someone standing up to the biggest liar on the planet! Go Chris Christie! I'll never get over the loss of my friends and family that jumped down the maga rabbit hole.
Yes, same sentiments from me Patti. I hope Jersey Boy Christie says it like it is and takes tfg down! And sadly I also lost friends and family down The MAGA rabbit hole, many from NJ. Fuhgedaboutit.
I am a former New Yorker Jersey girl now for 32 years. I will tell you from experience that Jersey politicians are tough, they take no prisoners when in a tight race. The Republicans will turn on each other like rabid dogs in primary races.
I was new to Jersey when Christie first became governor. I went to a few of his “Townhall” rallies, like Trumps.
He was against the teacher’s union in the state, I watched him have teachers who stood up to speak to him removed by troopers, tell people who disagreed with him to shut up and call them stupid. Tell reporters to go to hell if the asked him a tough question.
At the end of his 8 years his ratings where 15% approval in a state of 9 million people. He like Trump ruined the economy of the state, lost seats in the state legislature and Assembly, the credit rating of the state was downgraded 4 times while he was governor. And of course, had his very own campaign investigation “Bridgegate” he attempted to bully large city mayors to vote indorse him with threats of cutting off state aid, and I Bergen County next to the GWB, he upheld traffic in the morning rush for two days. It was a disaster traffic was backed up onto local streets for 4 hours.
If he is allowed to debate Trump he will annihilate him, they are both bullies, but Christie is much smarter than Trump.
Truscha, thank you for the detailed report on the malevolent side of Christie. I see him now in 2023 in his fight with Trump as being like the proverbial (in India) "thorn used to remove an embedded thorn."
If Christie can take down Trump sufficiently (even if Trump still wins the GOP primary) in the eyes of independent voters and old-time moderate Republican voters for the general election in Fall 2024, then he'll have my gratitude for being "the thorn."
I'm not. I hope he seriously damages Tfg's reputation among those who still worship him, but that is all I want from him. He has no integrity, and that's a deal breaker for me.
Yo Donny, there ain’t no picture of youse and me in any dictionary next to the word “perfection” I f---ed up. I trusted youse and thought youse was sumpin special.. you lied, you have no honor, no loyalty. I thought bein President would make a man outta youse, but youse showed yourself for the f---kin weasel youse always was.
Well up your’s pal. Youse asked for dis, now youse gonna get your’s. So bend over or don’t, cause I am gonna shove your pathetic life up your pathetic narcissistic....butt...
So let’s start with the missing Mexican wall money.... and so on. Hey, hey youse shut the f___ up, I’m talkin here and get back behind your podium you carrot topped buffoon... by the way youse needs a touch up with the tanning s__t and more hair spray. While you are at it shorten that f__en stupid tie Stormie already told us it ain’t pointen to nuttin special... badabing, badaboom, by by baby... hey, don’t forget the cannolies
Well done! . N.J. vernacular captured 100%, to the power of ten.. Laughing my ass off from the git-go,,,, say this former N.J. Bergen County resident. . Adios Jersey....
It’s good to see Christie stand up to Trump, but here in New Jersey we don’t forget. Christie had a ringside seat to the disasters Trump caused in Atlantic City and still supported him. Chris Christie knew better than that. We have seen Trump, his corruption, his Russian mafia masters. We never got the answers to many of our questions about Trump. Russian $? Anthony Kennedy’s son? Why did Trump get away with destroying people’s businesses? Chris Christie is no model, he’s just one of the few Republicans willing to ask questions when it suits him.
Yes you may live out west, but your NJ roots are showing. There is a different dynamic with the Christie / Trump relationship, more brawling, lacking polish. Christie will never have a POTUS designation but he is willing to fight against a bully. Not sure if the punches will land, but glad someone is fighting back
You really captured some of the NJ spirit in this one! I agree with all you've written. However, having experienced Christie as our governor I do hope that once he brings Trump down he then goes away. While I see Christie's bravado as being able to counter Trump's belligerence, he was a terrible, obnoxious governor. He's no stranger to shady deals, undeserved arrogance, bullying and connections in all the wrong places. He's a good counter to Trump, but then his usefulness expires.
That’s alatta credit, aheada time, Mr.Schmidt! Nobody is as hard to pinpoint as Christie. Lately he’s talkin’ sense. Let’s see him do so on that stage you put into our imaginations- and he must go further. He’s got to slap half a nation in their faces, grab them by the shoulders, and tell them to snap out of it, and get a grip! If he does so, and it works, I’ll forgive him for bridge gate. (But I won’t forget it)
Who doesn’t like “reality TV” debates? Even when tFG doesn’t show up Christie will level him. Then there will be a bunch of name calling “truths” and we’ll all still be as appalled and uninformed as we were before the show went on. Seems like there needs to be a better way to get to know who we want to lead our country.
Debating who is the worst amongst a bunch of losers will not get me to tune in.
It Ain't How Hard You Hit… It's How Hard You Can Get Hit and Keep Moving Forward. It's About How Much You Can Take And Keep Moving Forward!
---Rocky Balboa
Donald Trump is going to eat Chris Christie for lunch during the debates. Steve Bannon said it best about Trump that "he is the greatest counter puncher he has ever seen." And to me that explains everything why Republicans put up with Trump and tolerate all his crimes and cruelty, because he will knock out anyone in the ring with him. Democrats attack and attack hard all day long, and the Republicans need a ringer to fight back and Trump is their Rocky Balboa. Please do not think for a moment we can rest or be assured that Chris Christie will make this battle for Democracy and Justice and Freedom for all any easier. Chris Christie is going after President Biden hard every day too.
Respectfully it is not about smartness. Like him or not Ted Cruz has the highest IQ in the Republican room but it means little on the debate stage or in the eye of the public. George W. Bush was elected president twice because Americans wanted to have a beer with him. Please I urge you to go back and watch the game film from 2016 and see Donald Trump during all the Republican Presidential debates eviscerate his opponents one by one. We have underestimated him and the Republicans far too long by calling them stupid on social media all day long. The greatest threat in any battle is to underestimate your opponent.
Is the Media- his punches are amplified because they make millions amplifying them. His low life banter seem bigger and less crass because MSM uses them to stay on air- nobody in 16 eviscerated him (as they should have) for following HRC around the stage- like the sexual predator he is-nobody. As HRC told the truth about him, about Putin- Trump won points for his rude, disrespectful, and off the chain behavior- lies became acceptable- no honored. Christie better practice up-
I don't underestimate Trump, but I have personally watched Christie in action. He is a nasty as Trump and very smart. I hope the RNC allows Christie to be on the debate stage. As to Cruz he may have a Harvard degree that is not what makes you smart. Exposing yourself to outside opinions, culture and challenges of your theories is what makes you smart. Something Cruz, has never done .
I gave $5 to Christie to help him get on the debate stage. He needs to be there. I got physically ill every time I saw him stare into the abyss while standing next to Trump as a supporter. However I'm willing to forgive and forget if he can do his "Marco Magic" on the the creepy orange monster.
Love the no holds barred narrative, coupled with historical context illustrating significant parallels, all in the flavor of that in-your-face east coast land of the gritty, rowdy, the unafraid.
I enjoy watching the feuding between Christie, Trump and some DeSantis sprinkled into the mix too. At the end, I hope they all get slaughtered by Biden or whomever the Democratic candidate is. They ALL lack morals, integrity, decency and compassion. I’m quite certain Christie was guilty as hell with the “Christie-gate” (bridge) debacle.
Timing is everything, and the timing could be right at that point for Christie to hurt Trump. I have a hunch Christie knows more ugly stuff about Trump than he's willing to let on. I hope by the debates he uses everything he has.
Two more things. This is a grudge match à la Aesop. Christie knows he can’t win Trump’s victims (aka MAGGOTS) to his side despite having recently said that President Biden is the worst president in American history - or words to that effect. Christie’s image among moderates is too damaged for him to win the primary. So his only goal here is hurt and belittle Trump. Christie is no patriot; he supported almost every one of Trump’s misbegotten “policies.” His goal is purely to make Trump squirm. Ut Trump will not now or ever expose himself to the merest possibility of getting within Christie’s disdain and gravity knife tongue face-to-face on a debate stage. He knows Christie will draw blood, and plenty of it. Trump will not debate, although his chutzpah (lingua Iersey for shameless nerve) may make him think that he can take Christie down a pound or two. This could be even better than Musk vs. Zuck.
Trump is a pathetic pansy and will throw the fight before it happens. MAGA will buy some lame excuse but hopefully Christie can start a crack. And if the Dems get a clue they will exploit this rumble to the hilt. “Look, Ma. Can’t punch; my hands are too small.”
Finally someone standing up to the biggest liar on the planet! Go Chris Christie! I'll never get over the loss of my friends and family that jumped down the maga rabbit hole.
Yes, same sentiments from me Patti. I hope Jersey Boy Christie says it like it is and takes tfg down! And sadly I also lost friends and family down The MAGA rabbit hole, many from NJ. Fuhgedaboutit.
I'm so sorry about the loss of your friends and family, Patti. I feel the same way. Best to you.
The lies you're telling yourself might be bigger, dear.
I am a former New Yorker Jersey girl now for 32 years. I will tell you from experience that Jersey politicians are tough, they take no prisoners when in a tight race. The Republicans will turn on each other like rabid dogs in primary races.
I was new to Jersey when Christie first became governor. I went to a few of his “Townhall” rallies, like Trumps.
He was against the teacher’s union in the state, I watched him have teachers who stood up to speak to him removed by troopers, tell people who disagreed with him to shut up and call them stupid. Tell reporters to go to hell if the asked him a tough question.
At the end of his 8 years his ratings where 15% approval in a state of 9 million people. He like Trump ruined the economy of the state, lost seats in the state legislature and Assembly, the credit rating of the state was downgraded 4 times while he was governor. And of course, had his very own campaign investigation “Bridgegate” he attempted to bully large city mayors to vote indorse him with threats of cutting off state aid, and I Bergen County next to the GWB, he upheld traffic in the morning rush for two days. It was a disaster traffic was backed up onto local streets for 4 hours.
If he is allowed to debate Trump he will annihilate him, they are both bullies, but Christie is much smarter than Trump.
Truscha, thank you for the detailed report on the malevolent side of Christie. I see him now in 2023 in his fight with Trump as being like the proverbial (in India) "thorn used to remove an embedded thorn."
If Christie can take down Trump sufficiently (even if Trump still wins the GOP primary) in the eyes of independent voters and old-time moderate Republican voters for the general election in Fall 2024, then he'll have my gratitude for being "the thorn."
Agreed. He lacks the judgement to be president, however, I am good with him becoming the Republican nominee.
Steve
I'm not. I hope he seriously damages Tfg's reputation among those who still worship him, but that is all I want from him. He has no integrity, and that's a deal breaker for me.
Steve, as a born and bred son of our beloved native state, I’m mystified by the word “f@#k.”
🤣🤣🤣
Steve aren’t you worried that Chris Christie has a better chance of beating President Biden than Donald Trump? Thank you.
lmao
For those scoring at home, this is how Christie ends up President. Very similar to how Trump defeated Clinton.
Yo Donny, there ain’t no picture of youse and me in any dictionary next to the word “perfection” I f---ed up. I trusted youse and thought youse was sumpin special.. you lied, you have no honor, no loyalty. I thought bein President would make a man outta youse, but youse showed yourself for the f---kin weasel youse always was.
Well up your’s pal. Youse asked for dis, now youse gonna get your’s. So bend over or don’t, cause I am gonna shove your pathetic life up your pathetic narcissistic....butt...
So let’s start with the missing Mexican wall money.... and so on. Hey, hey youse shut the f___ up, I’m talkin here and get back behind your podium you carrot topped buffoon... by the way youse needs a touch up with the tanning s__t and more hair spray. While you are at it shorten that f__en stupid tie Stormie already told us it ain’t pointen to nuttin special... badabing, badaboom, by by baby... hey, don’t forget the cannolies
I apologize for my attempt to capture NY, NJ vernacular and stolen lines from The Godfather. But it seems you are getting the gist. Thanks
@James Towner,
Well done! . N.J. vernacular captured 100%, to the power of ten.. Laughing my ass off from the git-go,,,, say this former N.J. Bergen County resident. . Adios Jersey....
Thank you
Ahahaha hahaha 🍻
Ha! Ha! 😂
Not sure about “brilliant”? But I sure appreciate your comment. Thank you
@James Towner,
Yes.. Brilliant! .. F*ck'in hilarious. .. People talk like this N-Jersey.
Well ok , thank you
@Janet R (CO)
The same here; Auf Wiedersehen Bergen County N.J. ... Hallo Vail, Colorado ..
It’s good to see Christie stand up to Trump, but here in New Jersey we don’t forget. Christie had a ringside seat to the disasters Trump caused in Atlantic City and still supported him. Chris Christie knew better than that. We have seen Trump, his corruption, his Russian mafia masters. We never got the answers to many of our questions about Trump. Russian $? Anthony Kennedy’s son? Why did Trump get away with destroying people’s businesses? Chris Christie is no model, he’s just one of the few Republicans willing to ask questions when it suits him.
"...when it suits him" says it all.
@Carol Gamm
Oh the small businesses Trump screwed !! This douche bag Trump is a Punk.
Yes you may live out west, but your NJ roots are showing. There is a different dynamic with the Christie / Trump relationship, more brawling, lacking polish. Christie will never have a POTUS designation but he is willing to fight against a bully. Not sure if the punches will land, but glad someone is fighting back
You really captured some of the NJ spirit in this one! I agree with all you've written. However, having experienced Christie as our governor I do hope that once he brings Trump down he then goes away. While I see Christie's bravado as being able to counter Trump's belligerence, he was a terrible, obnoxious governor. He's no stranger to shady deals, undeserved arrogance, bullying and connections in all the wrong places. He's a good counter to Trump, but then his usefulness expires.
That’s alatta credit, aheada time, Mr.Schmidt! Nobody is as hard to pinpoint as Christie. Lately he’s talkin’ sense. Let’s see him do so on that stage you put into our imaginations- and he must go further. He’s got to slap half a nation in their faces, grab them by the shoulders, and tell them to snap out of it, and get a grip! If he does so, and it works, I’ll forgive him for bridge gate. (But I won’t forget it)
Who doesn’t like “reality TV” debates? Even when tFG doesn’t show up Christie will level him. Then there will be a bunch of name calling “truths” and we’ll all still be as appalled and uninformed as we were before the show went on. Seems like there needs to be a better way to get to know who we want to lead our country.
Debating who is the worst amongst a bunch of losers will not get me to tune in.
It Ain't How Hard You Hit… It's How Hard You Can Get Hit and Keep Moving Forward. It's About How Much You Can Take And Keep Moving Forward!
---Rocky Balboa
Donald Trump is going to eat Chris Christie for lunch during the debates. Steve Bannon said it best about Trump that "he is the greatest counter puncher he has ever seen." And to me that explains everything why Republicans put up with Trump and tolerate all his crimes and cruelty, because he will knock out anyone in the ring with him. Democrats attack and attack hard all day long, and the Republicans need a ringer to fight back and Trump is their Rocky Balboa. Please do not think for a moment we can rest or be assured that Chris Christie will make this battle for Democracy and Justice and Freedom for all any easier. Chris Christie is going after President Biden hard every day too.
In his dreams, Christie is 100% smarter than Trump and just as nasty.
Respectfully it is not about smartness. Like him or not Ted Cruz has the highest IQ in the Republican room but it means little on the debate stage or in the eye of the public. George W. Bush was elected president twice because Americans wanted to have a beer with him. Please I urge you to go back and watch the game film from 2016 and see Donald Trump during all the Republican Presidential debates eviscerate his opponents one by one. We have underestimated him and the Republicans far too long by calling them stupid on social media all day long. The greatest threat in any battle is to underestimate your opponent.
The double whammy with Trump
Is the Media- his punches are amplified because they make millions amplifying them. His low life banter seem bigger and less crass because MSM uses them to stay on air- nobody in 16 eviscerated him (as they should have) for following HRC around the stage- like the sexual predator he is-nobody. As HRC told the truth about him, about Putin- Trump won points for his rude, disrespectful, and off the chain behavior- lies became acceptable- no honored. Christie better practice up-
I don't underestimate Trump, but I have personally watched Christie in action. He is a nasty as Trump and very smart. I hope the RNC allows Christie to be on the debate stage. As to Cruz he may have a Harvard degree that is not what makes you smart. Exposing yourself to outside opinions, culture and challenges of your theories is what makes you smart. Something Cruz, has never done .
I gave $5 to Christie to help him get on the debate stage. He needs to be there. I got physically ill every time I saw him stare into the abyss while standing next to Trump as a supporter. However I'm willing to forgive and forget if he can do his "Marco Magic" on the the creepy orange monster.
Love the no holds barred narrative, coupled with historical context illustrating significant parallels, all in the flavor of that in-your-face east coast land of the gritty, rowdy, the unafraid.
I enjoy watching the feuding between Christie, Trump and some DeSantis sprinkled into the mix too. At the end, I hope they all get slaughtered by Biden or whomever the Democratic candidate is. They ALL lack morals, integrity, decency and compassion. I’m quite certain Christie was guilty as hell with the “Christie-gate” (bridge) debacle.
Guilty as hell and let his subordinates do the time.
Timing is everything, and the timing could be right at that point for Christie to hurt Trump. I have a hunch Christie knows more ugly stuff about Trump than he's willing to let on. I hope by the debates he uses everything he has.
Truth. We Jersey people love our pork roll. Maybe it was Christie’s near death experience because of Donald...
Two more things. This is a grudge match à la Aesop. Christie knows he can’t win Trump’s victims (aka MAGGOTS) to his side despite having recently said that President Biden is the worst president in American history - or words to that effect. Christie’s image among moderates is too damaged for him to win the primary. So his only goal here is hurt and belittle Trump. Christie is no patriot; he supported almost every one of Trump’s misbegotten “policies.” His goal is purely to make Trump squirm. Ut Trump will not now or ever expose himself to the merest possibility of getting within Christie’s disdain and gravity knife tongue face-to-face on a debate stage. He knows Christie will draw blood, and plenty of it. Trump will not debate, although his chutzpah (lingua Iersey for shameless nerve) may make him think that he can take Christie down a pound or two. This could be even better than Musk vs. Zuck.
Trump is a pathetic pansy and will throw the fight before it happens. MAGA will buy some lame excuse but hopefully Christie can start a crack. And if the Dems get a clue they will exploit this rumble to the hilt. “Look, Ma. Can’t punch; my hands are too small.”
I do believe Trump will never debate him.