And yet no one in Chris Christie’s office, at least yet, has either the motive or the desire to whisper some secrets to a very willing and interested media, which would like nothing more than to tear a 2016 Republican Presidential contender down?

In a subsequent conversation I had Monday, the same Christie aide told me that after delivering the State of the State address, Christie privately addressed his cabinet and senior staff, vowing to meet the challenge ahead of them, and expressing his gratitude and love — yes, love — for his team.

“No one’s looking to jump ship,” the aide told me. “We’re all on the same team. We believe in this guy. We will defend him to the end.”