By

The Star-Ledger

A political cartoon is a peculiar thing. It’s unabashedly biased yet it exists among purely journalistic ventures. The political cartoon lives under the banner of opinion and more importantly satire, that distinction allows me to engage in behavior no self-respecting journalist would dare engage in.

In satirizing our beloved public figures, I’m free to put words in their mouths and clothes on their backs and transport them to whatever locale fits my needs -- and it’s all legal. The Supreme Court says so. I checked.

Chris Christie leaves office this Tuesday and over the past eight plus years (I had occasion to draw him several times during his tenure as U.S. Attorney), I’ve had the pleasure to draw the governor as all manner of flora and fauna, both large and small.

I’ve drawn him as Robin Hood, Marie Antoinette, a disgruntled Mets fan, a fairy godmother, a winged cherub, and an ax-wielding executioner, among other noble professions.

It’s like casting a movie.

What character do I need to get my point across? A bumbling jester?

A wicked witch, or perhaps her flying monkey? As long as I can draw it (which is a 50/50 proposition) he can be it.

You’d think he’d be grateful because as a sitting governor it would be inappropriate to show up to work dressed as a sad clown. It’s my job to help him play big boy dress up.

Here are some costume choices I’ve made for Gov. Christie over the years.

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Christie's second term promised to be a continuation of his rise to greatness. But it was short-lived after Bridgegate broke. He got beat up pretty badly... and never recovered.

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Despite it all, Christie still wanted to be the bride of Franken-publicans. Slowly ditching his moderate bona fides that made him a popular centrist in New Jersey.

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Christie in a diaper. A cherub. Cupid trying his best for GOP base affection.

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Showing the voting public that he can take on the toughest issues.

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There were hardly any perceptions of conflicts of interest with Christie. He had friends in high places.

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Channeling angry Mets guy.

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And it was always a well-known fact that our governor loved sports.

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When the hunt was on.

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Perhaps it was his childlike demeanor that made him so endearing early on.

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He was a dream come true for the rich.

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He never had a problem with the poor staying poor.

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Too obvious?

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It's hard to be red in a blue state.

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Christie has enjoyed playing a doctor over the past few years.

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Don't ask him what kind of thermometer he uses.

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Dr. Christie's medical opinions weren't very popular.

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The state's children were always a part of his political ambitions.

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Helping New Jersey's poorest kids was his thing.

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He had to make all those hard decisions when he wasn't thinking about running for president.

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And yet, he carried on.

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Despite it all, he always seemed optimistic.

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And he was known as a control freak.

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The so-called Bridgegate witch hunt.

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Michael Wolff's tell-all book notes that Trump entered the presidential race after Bridgegate seemed to break apart Christie's chances.

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Meanwhile back in Jersey.... other bridges and roads were crumbling.

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The holidays were always a special time of giving for the governor.

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Meanwhile, a few people in his administration were soon to be convicted for their involvement in Bridgegate.

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Despite what he was telling other Americans, New Jersey wasn't really that into him.

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And then, Christie's presidential campaign crumbled, allowing for his inevitable return to New Jersey.

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That early endorsement seemed to be paying off early!

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Surely, his prince in rusted, orange armor would save him from us.

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It's good to be friends with the future ruler of the universe.

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There could be no job to small.

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Nor too demeaning...

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A job is a job. Besides, less time in Jersey, right?

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It was only a matter of time before appearing to be a parasitic bird would be unbecoming of a sitting governor.

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Maybe he'll try out for a radio shock jock job.

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Nothing lame with doing it your way. Unless it's lame.

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Really, it's when he stayed in New Jersey that he committed his worst crimes. Here's what he looks like without his French oligarch dress.

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Related galleries:

Drawing the governor: Christie's greatest hits in Sheneman cartoons

See how political cartoonists loved to hate Christie's 2016 bid

Bridgegate then and now in 23 side-splitting editorial cartoons

Think this cold is bitter? Just take a look at my 2017 cartoons | Sheneman

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