Democrats For Christie Picks Up More Steam

A political Twilight Zone of sorts is going on in the Garden State right now, with so many high-profile and influential Democrats backing Republican Governor Chris Christie's re-election campaign. But why? Has this kind of thing ever happened before in New Jersey?

With Governor Christie so far ahead in the lead and in all of the recent polls, these Democrats are seemingly switching sides, and are, in a way, betraying Democratic challenger Barbara Buono. Over two dozen have officially endorsed Christie's re-election bid and Election Day is still four-and-a-half months away.

Montclair Political Science Professor Dr. Brigid Harrison says it's really sending a bad message to staunch Democrats and other supporters of the party. She says "there is this great sense of jumping on the bandwagon and supporting the likely winner. Usually, when one member of another political party throws their support behind someone on the other side of the aisle, it's for their own political gain and for their own aspirations."

Some believe President Barack Obama's recent visits to the Jersey Shore and "friendship" with Christie is to blame. Harrison feels that's only a small part of it. She explains "that whole thing was a facade. Both Obama and Christie needed each other politically and they got what they needed from each other. It wasn't an instant friendship or anything like that. Sandy was a non-partisan issue. However, some of these Democrats now supporting Christie can use that is the excuse."

But what about Barbara Buono, a highly competent and worthy opponent. Harrison adds "if I was in Buono's shoes, I would be seething mad. There is really no excuse for it. It's the ultimate slap in the face. She is trying but she doesn't always take the popular vote or way. She has her own agenda."

The big concern for Democrats who aren't supporting Christie is the fact that Christie's ideals are often far, far away from the Democratic point of view. Harrison adds "it's somewhat hypocritical. They might as well switch and call themselves Republican."