I was talking to a friend yesterday who commented that if anything Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) said at his press conference last week -- that he knew absolutely nothing about the traffic scandal until only the day before -- wasn't true, he's in massive trouble. I replied that there's another way of looking at this.
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that the governor wasn't involved with the traffic "pay back." Let's say too that officials and members of his staff not only did all this on their own, but didn't say anything to him ever, not even when he had meetings to get to the bottom of it, not even when his lawyer questioned people. Let's say he's absolutely totally blameless, and what he said was indeed 100 percent true -- that those under him created this huge disaster and lied to him for an entire half a year.
Now, though, let's create a totally different perspective, but with the same ground rules.
Let's say there was some huge disastrous scandal caused by appointees of Barack Obama. Some people died because of it. And his deputy chief of staff helped create it for purely spiteful reasons against Republicans. And when Mr. Obama asked his staff about it, no one told him anything. And when his personal lawyer investigated, he was lied to, as well. And for six months, Mr. Obama never asked for emails to get to the bottom of it, and for six months President Obama was lied to by his own staff and own officials.
Now, let's say that was all true, and let's even say that Americans believed it was all true.
What do you think Republicans would say? What do you think the headlines would be on Fox News? What do you think would be the only story that they'd be talking about on Fox News all day, every day, around the clock??
I suspect -- and remember, this is under the Best Case Scenario, a scenario where everyone, and most especially even Republicans, believed in Mr. Obama's absolute, total innocence -- I suspect that on the far right there nonetheless would be outrage, uproar, cries of incompetence, irresponsibility, malfeasance, calls for investigations, calls for impeachment, not-so-subtle suggestions of how Black people are gullible and stupid, blunt reminders of how Barack Obama was and remains inexperienced, and how this was the ultimate proof of how he was unfit for office. And they would not be patiently waiting to let an investigation to run its course, before these cries erupted...
I do not believe I am exaggerating.
And again, this is under the Best Case Scenario. That he was totally blameless, honest in his disavowals of knowledge, and everyone believed him.
Is Chris Christie in trouble, even under the Best Case Scenario? Well... one thing we know, he's certainly not in as much as trouble if he were Barack Obama, that's for sure. But then, it's hard to imagine and accept the Best Case Scenario here. Starting with -- well, Day One.
I mean, seriously, let's consider: if you were the Deputy Chief of Staff of the governor, would you set in motion a plan to close the busiest bridge in the world out of purely political spite all on your own without maybe perhaps possibly just double-checking with someone above you first...??
I don't know what happened, if Chris Christie was involved or ever even knew anything at all. I do, however, have a strong suspicion that everyone is not going to believe he was 100 percent out of the loop and knew nothing for an entire half a year.
Yet he's still a lucky man.
He's lucky that all this happened to him and he isn't Barack Obama.
To read more from Robert J. Elisberg about this or many other matters both large and tidbit small, see Elisberg Industries.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.