But what is most striking about Mr. Malloy, a Democrat, is that just six weeks after taking charge of such a mild-mannered state, he is publicly taking shots at his celebrated counterpart in New Jersey, attacking his politics and policies, his intellect, even his personality.

“Being bombastic for the sake of being bombastic,” Mr. Malloy said, “has just never been my take on the world.”…

“I’m not sure that some governors just don’t want to lay off people for the sake of laying off people and being able to say they did,” he said, speaking of those who may have their sights on seeking national office, say in 2016. “I think there’s a certain collection of merit badges that’s going on here.”…

But then what, he was asked, accounts for Mr. Christie’s stardom? “He has become the darling of Republicans because he’s perceived as taking Democrats on rudely,” Mr. Malloy said. “If a Democrat took Republicans on rudely, they wouldn’t be elevated in the Democratic Party. There’s a different standard. We’re supposed to be polite to people.”