There are many important lessons in the Chris Christie saga.
My grandfather summed it up best. He came to America with nothing- literally only with the coins in his pockets. Yet he built a successful small business in Bronxville New York. It was a 4-man butcher store, yet he retired the equivalent (adjusting for inflation) of a self-made millionaire in the 1970’s. He was a remarkable man.
Chris Christie could have used his wisdom.
My grandfather said two things matter in life:
#1) Loyalty is everything. Never betray your friends or family. If you do, it will come back around to destroy you.
#2) When it comes to business, the customer is always right.
I’d add a third rule: You can kiss your enemy, but you should refrain from French-kissing him.
Chris Christie violated all three rules. Now his political career is hanging by a thread, and his GOP Presidential prospects are all but dead. Not completely dead, mind you. Never count a New York/New Jersey street fighter out. But certainly on life support.
Let’s look at what happened to Christie:
I’m a Tea Party Libertarian-conservative Republican. Mitt Romney was not my cup of tea (excuse the pun). But once I choose sides, I’m “all in.” There is no 90% or even 100%. Either you give everything you have, or don’t get involved. So I gave Mitt 110%.
I knew the re-election of Obama would devastate the economy and kill more jobs. I knew the implementation of Obamacare would annihilate the middle class. I knew Romney was the only alternative. So I was “all in.” I gave Mitt everything I had. His loss was devastating to me.
But not Chris Christie. He sold Mitt out for ego, media spotlight and his own political future. As soon as Christie saw the opportunity to advance his own future Presidential prospects, he dumped Mitt like yesterday’s news. He didn’t just stab Mitt in the back, and kiss Obama’s ring. He went a step further- he French-kissed Obama at the New Jersey airport.
As my butcher grandfather taught me, you never betray your friends like that. Never. There would have been nothing wrong with shaking Obama’s hand at the airport and announcing when there is a natural disaster we all come together, Republican and Democrat. That would be fine.
But Christie became BFF (Best friends forever) with Obama that day. Christie’s over-the-top lovefest destroyed Romney’s Presidential ambitions. At the time several national polls had Romney up by 5 to 7 points. His ratings sunk like quicksand after Christie’s embrace. With friends like Chris Christie, who needs enemies?
What did Christie get out of it? Was it pure ego, to prove his bi-partisan credentials and win adulation from the liberal media? Yes, I think that was part if it.
Did Obama bribe Christie? Was he promised billions of dollars in government loans and hurricane FEMA relief money if he stabbed Romney in the back? Yes, I think that was part of it.
Was it pure political payback for not being chosen as Romney’s V.P? Yes, I think that was part of it.
Or was it pure political calculation? Did Christie realize if his buddy Romney won the election, he (Christie) would have no political future. Romney would be in for 8 long years and Christie would have nowhere to move up, and be long forgotten after his second term as Governor was up. My guess is all of the above.
Don’t forget this is a guy who Romney chose as the keynote speaker at the GOP Convention. Christie rewarded his faith by giving an entire speech about himself. Listening to Christie’s speech that night, I wasn’t sure if it was Romney or Christie accepting the nomination.
This same Christie went out of his way to denigrate and bad mouth the Tea Party. You know the same group that is the very foundation of the GOP. The same group that makes up the most loyal base of support, donations, energy and excitement for the GOP. The same group that produced the greatest landslide in modern political history in 2010. Why? Once again, ego. Christie needed to flex his muscles, prove his independence, and win adulation from the liberal media.
Christie and Obama- BFF. Christie and liberal Bruce Springstein- BFF. Christie and the liberal GOP-hating media- BFF. Christie's political future- up in smoke.
The lessons?
First, what goes around comes around. Karma’s a bi-ch. Christie got what was coming to him.
Second, my grandfather was right. The customer is always right. Any Republican who badmouths the Tea Party is biting the hand that feeds you.
Third, stop trying to make friends with the media. The media hates all Republicans, even the “moderate” ones. When a Republican courts the media, he dances with the devil.
Fourth, never trust big government Republicans. They use the same power of government to damage people's lives, just as Democrats like Obama do.
I actually feel bad for Christie. Hillary Clinton did much worse (see 4 dead Americans at Benghazi, a massive cover-up, and her ensuing testimony "What does it matter?”). But the media protects her.
Barack Obama committed crimes against the American people (see IRS scandal, Benghazi, Fast & Furious, Obamacare fraud). But the media protects him.
Christie's scandal was just a parking jam for gosh sakes.
Nonetheless, I can’t help smiling. Chris Christie got what he deserves..
Wayne Allyn Root is capitalist evangelist, entrepreneur, and Libertarian-conservative Republican. He is a former Libertarian vice presidential nominee. Wayne's latest book is "The Ultimate Obama Survival Guide: Secrets to Protecting Your Family, Your Finances, and Your Freedom." For more, visit his website:
www.ROOTforAmerica.com. Follow him on Twitter@WayneRoot
