If you're the Republican governor of a permablue state who has built his brand on reaching across party lines, about the last place you'd want to visit would be the Conservative Political Action Conference. But Chris Christie put in an appearance there earlier today.
Even showing up there was a questionable decision, but Christie compounded it with a full-throated defense of the Koch brothers.
Without naming them, Christie offered a defense of Charles and David Koch, the energy magnates who have funded think tanks and committees that have promoted conservative causes. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had attacked the Kochs in speeches this week, saying they were trying to buy elections.
But Christie said Reid should "get back to work and stop picking on great Americans."
Those same great Americans were part of a cabal of teabaggers who planned to launch a "defund Obamacare" effort almost as soon as Obama's reelection was assured--knowing full well it could cause a shutdown. And those same great Americans have been churning out misinformation about Obamacare almost nonstop. You really want to stand with them, Governor? Please proceed.
Christie also claimed that Democrats are intolerant of abortion opponents and other social conservatives.
"Tell me the last pro-lilfe Democrat who was allowed to speak at a Democratic convention," Christie said he told a reporter. "And by the way, don’t strain yourself, there's never been one. They're the party of intolerance, not us."
OK, Chris. I'll play. Bob Casey in 2008, and Sister Simone Campbell in 2012. And apparently Christie is blind in his right eye, because back in 2008 John McCain was prepared to name Joe Lieberman as his running mate--until getting word that the religious right would never stand for a pro-choicer on the presidential ticket. And back in 2008, Palin
refused to appear with John Sununu and Jeb Bradley at a campaign stop because she thought they were pro-choice.
Christie is delusional if he seriously thinks he can run for president in 2016 after it has been proven beyond all doubt that he fostered a rogue culture in his administration that made Bridgegate possible. But this speech should provide a lot of fodder in case he decides to take the plunge. Watch the whole thing here--if you can stand it.