Yesterday my Republican friend asked me why the Democrats were trying to destroy Chris Christie.

[Scuba]

I told her they weren't, his wounds are all self-inflicted.

After a little reading, she may be getting it, but I found her intitial thought on the matter sadly typical of politics in America. Too often, folks both liberal and conservative are quick to defend their side regardless of the facts. I'd like to think that our side is better than that, and often we are. But blind loyalties are dangerous regardless of your position.

[Baitball Blogger]

1. I think their reality is predicated on the belief that no one will come after

them. They do the crime, but don't often see anyone doing the time for it.

[RKP5637]

3. Yep, that seems to be the way often, too big to do the punishment. Little guys get

slammed all over the place, but the big guys often get a free pass. Equality in the justice system is often a total joke.

[blkmusclmachine]

2. Blind loyalty afflicts Ds and Rs. Go to any BHO picture diary for proof from this side of the divide

[Scuba]

4. I'm loyal to my ideals, and when politicians are loyal to those ideals I'll support them.

But if a politician abandons those ideals, my support to him/her ends also.

[Archae]

5. It can be for any issue, and many people.

John Wayne Gacy had defenders claiming he never killed anyone.

Hitler and Stalin have their own personality cults.

It's still claimed laetrile cures cancer, as does shark cartilage.

Anti-vaccination advocates make lots of money.

One group claims Nixon resigning and Watergate was a "coup."

Just look at how many defenders Christie has.

[rufus dog]

6. All though it can be said, "both sides do it"

One side, with a huge assist from the media, never takes care of their own.

Anthony Weiner, Mark Sanford, Gary Condit, Joe Scarborough, Gary Hart, John McCain, John Edwards, Newt Gingrich, Larry Craig, David Vitter.

I ran out of Dems to compare and contrast quickly, but one common theme is the response and penalty for similar crimes and personal failings is never equal and the original defense always includes both sides do it. That is demonstrable false when incorporating the responsibility and punishment.

[IL Lib]

10. +1 n/t

[Cha]

7. Oh, yeah.. is not that why Christie went immediately

into Victim Mode? Switched from a big ass bully into poor little me .. in the flash of an eyelash.

[Oilwellian]

14. More like dumbass mode

[Cha]

15. Right! Dumbass-Victim mode! "such a mystery to me"..

Wonder what he told his wife and Samson after he got through with that presser? "That ought to hold the little people for awhile."?

"How did this happen? Greedy Fucker.

Oh you did it, Oilwellian! Thank you! :notworthy:

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

8. Because it has to be that the Democrats are "after" him

It couldn't be that he and his cronies have actually behaved badly.

Its because we blindly hate him and will go after him like rabid dogs, unthinkingly criticizing everything he does to a point beyond reason. No matter what he does is wrong and he will be mercilessly pursued just because of his party affiliation....sorry, I was channeling the republicans there for a moment.

[jimlup]

9. Kinda but ...

Actually I think that "liberals" or rather more aptly stated "progressives" are more likely to think their position through. I don't know if anyone has actually done this as an academic study but I'd be willing to wager that it is true.

[hrmjustin]

11. K&R!

[The Second Stone]

12. Christi is doing just fine destroying himself

and New Jersey with his requirement of loyalty and endorsements for doing the governor's job correctly and a series of payback punishments to politicians and cities that don't go along. I wouldn't let Christi head up any organization. He is a nasty bully that engages in public services extortion.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

13. I disagree. I think as Democrats, we are far more likely to all out our own when Dems do something

wrong. And those people who get drummed out of politics, say out. Look at John Edwards. David Vitter is running for governor on the other side. Look at Anthony Weiner. Mark Foley, Oliver North...they have fucking talk radio shows. Look at Sarah Palin. Typically when a Vice Presidential candidate or even a presidential candidate loses an election, we seldom here from them again. They're usually relegated to the speaking engagement circuit. But not Republicans, and especially not conservative ones. Alan Keyes, Herman Cain, Santorum, Huckabee...they all are doing something in conservative political circles; they all remain relevant in conservative life and some manage to remain relevant in mainstream political life. Newt Gingrich?

I just think Democrats are much quicker in damning our own, especially when they're not 100% pure or make mistakes, or do something that we disagree with. They are quick to throw our people under the bus. Conservatives? Republicans? They seldom do that unless one is gay.

[B Calm]

16. She think the democrats closed down GWB and sent phoney emails?