When we predicted that "the long knives will be out for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in 2014," we didn't know it would all happen quite so soon.
But now, Bridgegate has provided the "all clear" signal for the haters. The green light has flashed and the haters are swarming.
We know this first-hand because the haters have already made several attempts to invade and/or overwhelm our new We Stand With Chris Christie Facebook page. We've had to remove some of their more venomous comments from the page because they are full of bile, resentment and viciousness.
Media haters could hardly wait to jump onto the Let's Destroy Christie bandwagon. Many of the same people who helped trumpet Christie (largely as a curious phenomenon rather than the true leader he really is) are now tearing him down. This is nothing new for the media. They love to build you up, only to tear you down - especially if you a likable Republican. They did it to John McCain. They did it to Mitt Romney. Way back when in New Jersey, they even did it to the late Congresswoman Millicent Fenwick. The media are overwhelmingly liberal and nearly and, sadly every media embrace of a Republican must be viewed with extreme caution.
Hard-core conservatives were never really crazy about Christie but but at least they didn't bash him. But after the post-Sandy Obama episode, they started lining up against him. One suspects that if it wasn't that incident something else would have triggered a move against him on their part. Now, they're in full, all-out attack mode. Bridgegate gave them the go-ahead signal.
Interestingly enough, establishment Republicans (who many thought were Christie's best supporters) have not fallen all over one another to come to his defense during the current crisis. But then again, Washington insiders have never really been gaga over Christie. They like someone who's more "stable" in their minds, more predictable and ultimately "duller." Even if you're drowning, these cold-blooded insiders want you to do it without making any waves. We've got news for them: The Big Guy ain't drowning, and he's not about to anytime soon.
As for corporate types, they simply follow the money. If the money (and the attendant support and the positive media) doesn't flow your way, you can't depend on them.
And then there are the "doubters." They like to be tagged as independents or healthy skeptics but, let's face it, inside all that doubt there's often a nugget of well, insecurity if not outright cowardice. These people don't want to stick their necks out. These proverbial turtles have pulled in, all snug in their protective shells. If you tap on the shell, and you really, really push them you'll discover that they're simply waiting it out. Once they have a better idea of how they feel all this will pan out, they'll come forward and act like they were on one side or another all along. Yes, in addition to the turtle there's a bit of chameleon in them as well.
So, where to turn?
Chris Christie knows that in a time like this he must rely on the ordinary, everyday people who have always stood by him: Core Christie supporters, committed converts, grassroots followers and the like.
Because, as he's already discovered, he cannot even necessarily rely on staff members.
We're not afraid to take a stand and never have been. That's why we're here for Christie. That's one of the reasons why we've organized We Stand With Chris Christie. We're building Christie's Cavalry -- an army that will stand by him and help to see him through this briar patch. We will give him plenty of aid and encouragement -- and we won't be afraid to answer his critics. Fair warning: We will be fiercely loyal. Don't trifle with us!
And, of course the governor will rely on his wonderful family and his ample circle of longtime friends -- people who were with him before he was a national figure and who will stay with him well after all the attention has waned.
In addition to all that, we hope the governor has a dog.
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