We already know Gov. Chris Christie can win re-election in a bluer than blue state like New Jersey.
But can he act?
Fans of The Michael J. Fox Show will find out tonight when the Republican governor makes a guest appearance on the NBC comedy.
It’s a minor blip on the news cycle, but it’s also a testament to the growing clout pop culture has on national politics, one that dates back to President Richard M. Nixon appearing on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In.
Christie better enjoy his Hollywood close-up while he can. Just ask Sen. John McCain what it feels like to go from a Republican maverick to the press’ favorite target–as he became when he ran for the White House in 2008. Christie exists in a similar pre-election state at the moment, thanks to his embrace of President Barack Obama during the Hurricane Sandy fallout and his willingness to blast his fellow party members.
For now, Christie is welcome on The Late Show with David Letterman as well as the occasional sitcom. That will change should he take serious steps toward running for president in 2016. By that time, news magazines comparing him to an elephant will be the least of his media worries.