Why did he take the course he's taken and, now that Donald Trump has won decisively, where does that leave him?
When people ask us these questions, the first thing we tell them is don't worry about Chris Christie. In fact, he would never want you to worry about him or look upon him as someone in need of solace.
This man doesn't flinch. He always has his wits about him and, again and again, he's proved to be durable and tireless. Not only can he take the slings and arrows that have come his way but, win or lose, he's always gained strength from such assaults and invariably emerges stronger.
Translation: never, ever count Chris Christie out.
For one thing, the guy doesn't need politics to survive.
In fact, Christie's most recent financial disclosure statement showed that he racked in more than $4 million over a two year period from his law firm income, consulting fees, investments, corporate director positions, speaking engagements, royalties and his ABC TV News gigs. Yes, those TV commentator appearances alone generated $475,000.
That's not exactly chump change and it reminds us that even if Christie had become a Trumspter this time around and landed a cabinet post, he actually would have had to absorb a massive salary cut.
Oh, we know -- Christie was once an avid (and indeed, passionate) Trump booster. You will recall that Chris Christie was one of the first to abandon his own 2016 presidential race and support Trump.
And after Trump won the first time around Christie was originally in charge of Trump's 2016 transition team and was justifiably set to play a key roll in choosing Trump's cabinet. But then, apparently at the behest of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner (who blamed Christie for the prosecution and incarceration of his father when Christie was U.S. Attorney for New Jersey) Chris Christie was abruptly jettisoned from Team Trump.
Still, relations between Trump and Christie remained cordial and cooperative (if not exactly chummy) until election night 2020 when Trump launched an election denial effort that culminated in the infamous January 6 march on the nation's Capitol. All this apparently did not sit well with Christie.
Yes, Trump has been able to put aside differences and welcome previous foes back into the fold. And the same can be said for Christie as both men have proven to be practical politicians when push came to shove. But not now. Not this time.
Still, no one knows what twists and turns the future may take and in politics, it's wise to never rule anything out.
One thing's for sure: whether or not fences with Trump are mended, Christie continues to have much to offer. He remains a national figure and he's hardly one to shun the spotlight much less take a sabbatical to lick his wounds. No way!
Indeed, Christie's now in many ways liberated, as his future does not depend on Trump or his coterie. What's more, at 62 Christie's still young compared to Trump and many of those in leadership roles in Washington right now. In fact, next to many in Congress, he's a virtual teenager! God willing, he's got many years ahead of him.
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