Chris Christie’s no good very bad year, told entirely in news headlines

The seeds of the destruction of New Jersey governor Chris Christie’s reputation were sown in 2013 when members of his staff plotted to create traffic jams on the George Washington Bridge, apparently as political retribution against a local mayor for not supporting Christie in his bid for re-election. Yesterday, two former aides to Christie were found guilty of all charges in connection to the “Bridgegate” scandal.

Christie has said he had no knowledge of the plan, but his political goose could well be cooked.

Let’s think back, for a moment, to happier days. In the early stages of the 2012 presidential election season, Christie was considered a favorite for the Republican nomination. He had impressed Roger Ailes, then the CEO of Fox News and long seen as the kingmaker of the party (who has seen his own fall from grace). Christie was a rising star, poised to become the new face of a Republican party that needed a facelift.

He opted not to run in 2012, saying it was “not his time.” A year later, “Bridgegate” happened. Still, Christie remained popular within the party, so he decided to run for president in 2016.

With the scandal looming, however, Christie flamed out of the primaries. He then endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump, but was passed over as his vice presidential choice in favor of Indiana governor Mike Pence. Christie has since become historically unpopular in his home state and a maligned figure throughout the United States.

As you read the last year’s worth of Chris Christie headlines, we suggest you listen to the theme from HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm or “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel:

 Oct. 10, 2015: Back in the pack, this is not the campaign Chris Christie envisioned

Oct. 15, 2015: Nobody likes Chris Christie: He’s polling at 5 percent in his own state

Oct. 19, 2015: Snooki: Chris Christie Is a ‘Scary Man’

Oct. 22, 2015: Chris Christie Clashes With Veteran Nurse Over Medical Marijuana

Oct. 22, 2015: Nurse Held by New Jersey Over Ebola Exposure Sues Christie

Oct. 25, 2015: Chris Christie, Sipping a Smoothie, Was Kicked Off an Amtrak Car For Screaming on His Phone

Oct. 29, 2015: N.Y. Times calls on Christie to quit prez race; Christie says no way

Nov. 5, 2015: Chris Christie Has No Chance of Getting Into the Next Prime-Time Debate

Nov. 5, 2015:

Chris Christie to Miss Main Stage at Next GOP Debate

Nov. 11, 2015: Bridgegate Defendants: Christie’s Team Hiding Thousands of Documents, Including Christie Emails

Nov. 12, 2015: Panel’s verdict on ‘Happy-hour debate’ turned out sad for Chris Christie

Nov. 17, 2015: Christie on refugees: Not even 5-year-old orphans