Christie reasoned that, while he would veto the bill, a referendum on the state’s ballot in with President Barack Obama at the top of the ticket was certain to pass. The state would get legal gay marriage and Christie could continue to preserve his political brand. Democrats in the legislature balked at the offer. They calculated that Christie may be vulnerable in 2013 and his opposition to gay marriage was a perfect wedge issue to court voters who are otherwise content with the governor’s handling of the state’s affairs. Christie vetoed New Jersey’s gay marriage bill. A referendum was not put to voters.

But a funny thing happened on the way to 2013: Hurricane Sandy. The state was ravaged by this once-in-a-generation storm. Christie’s handling of the disaster endeared him to New Jersey’s voters – five months after the storm, he continues to be the nation’s most popular governor. Christie seems invulnerable as he prepares his bid for reelection.

But Democrats, wedded to their thoughtless tactical maneuver, are moving ahead with their campaign against the “out of touch” Chris Christie.