"You can become intoxicated by that smoke"

Beginning his remarks, Christie joked that he walked into the building “a little preoccupied and a little worried.”

“I came in here today with a number of things on my mind and then my mind was completely clear, for I walked in here and saw you sitting at the counsel table,” he said.

In remarks aimed at Galluccio — but sure to be picked apart by politics watchers looking for signs — Christie said people tend to “blow smoke” at those who hold powerful positions.

“You can become intoxicated by that smoke. And you can wind up, as the smoke gets thicker and thicker, losing your way. Losing that inner compass that we all hope remains true to who we are and what our role is in whatever position or authority we hold,” he said. “I am confident that no matter what smoke is blown from this counsel table up towards Donna on the bench that she will not lose her sense of self.”