Was the Blizzard Christie's Katrina?

Did NJ Governor Chris Christie’s vacation during the recent Northeast blizzard clean-up seriously harm his political future?

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s vacation during the recent Northeast blizzard has garnered much national media attention. But did his decision not to return to directly supervise the clean-up seriously harm his political future?

Most voters in New Jersey still care about other issues more: the budget and the school unions.  However, with many people snowed into their homes for several days, Christie’s excuse that he had promised to take his kids to Disneyworld and didn’t go back on his promises appeared pretty lame.  This snowstorm was a once in a quarter-century event.

Christie’s poll ratings had been dropping even before this latest controversy and if he isn’t careful moving forward, voters may begin to perceive his straight talk as bull-headed arrogance.

In New Jersey, the contrast to how Newark mayor Corey Booker handled the snow is pretty stark.  Booker was all over it.  He even had people tweet him and inform him of where there were roads still unplowed.  Booker would respond: “I’m on it.”  Stories like that abound.

The snow is melting now though.  Hopefully for Christie, the voters’ memory of his lack of a response will melt with it.