Last week, Christie took his family on vacation to Disney World in Florida. I don't blame him; Christmas break is a logical time for him to get away and Disney is practically a requirement for modern-day parents.
But stuff happens, as they say nowadays, and the East Coast got dumped on by snow while Christie was gone. Was that his fault? Of course not. But, as every politician knows (just ask Michael Bilandic, the hapless former mayor of Chicago), the public will hold whomever's in office responsible.
So what's a public servant to do? Well, for starters, go to the scene and pretend that you're having an impact (think of Rudy Giuliani on 9/11 with that surgical mask over his mouth), or act like you care (think of George Bush at Ground Zero with that bullhorn). But for God's sake, at least remember Woody Allen's famous line, "Ninety percent of life is just showing up."
So what did Chris Christie say about his failure to return from vacation?
"I had a great five days with my children. I wouldn't change the decision even if I could."
Ouch!
When it became clear that the storm was getting worse, Christie said his wife warned him to not "even think about" canceling the trip.
Talk about tone deaf! Who's advising this guy? In situations like this, people want contrition and empathy.
(Or as that other famous Garden State native, Charlie Weis, would surely tell you, that tough Jersey Guy routine is only cute when things are going well.)
Christie had better step up his game if he wants to make a run for the White House some day.
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