This fanaticism-- there is no other word for it-- can best be attributed to three factors: the broad, lasting appeal of Springsteen's music. Christie's seemingly insatiable appetite and financial capacity to feed that appetite. And finally, what psychologists would call compartmentalism, the ability to separate ideas into distinct parts or categories; in this instance, the ability to enjoy Springsteen's music while somehow remaining oblivious to his message and themes.
Such is Christie's devotion to Springsteen-- and his disconnect from the themes of the music-- that he actually hoped to have Bruce play for his Inaugural Ball. When that request was summarily rejected, his organizers opted for the next best thing: a Springsteen Tribute Band (a.k.a. An imitation). With no disrespect to the musicians who performed at that event (The B Street Band from Belmar, New Jersey), this choice epitomizes so much of Christie's and the Republican's words: full of falsities.
So the Big Thing got to fantasize about being there with Bruce, the Big Man, Little Steve, and the others at his Coming Out Party.
Born to Run Badlands (sorry about the ads. Not my fault!)
Almost every other major artist has had fans (cf. Dead Heads) who consider their devotion an important facet of who they are. Christie's income level and many personal and professional connections have enabled him to by-pass the more established avenues to obtain prized tickets to sold-out shows. But it is his compartmentalism that makes his Springsteen fixation so curious.
Christie is not alone in this sort of compartmentalism, although you would think that after having seen over one hundred shows, he might eventually begin to hear the messages behind the music.
September 19, 1984, long before Christie was in the public limelight, at a campaign stop in Hammonton, New Jersey, Ronald Reagan added the following to his usual stump speech:
"America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts; it rests in the message of hope in songs so many young Americans admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen. And helping you make those dreams come true is what this job of mine is all about." [N.B. There is nothing to insinuate that a 22 year old Young Republican from New Jersey like Christie had any role in this misappropriation.]
Shortly thereafter, Springsteen responded, "The President was mentioning my name the other day, and I kinda got to wondering what his favorite album musta been. I don't think it was the Nebraska album. I don't think he's been listening to this one."
In Springsteen’s own words, the song "Born in the U.S.A." is about "a working-class man" [in the midst of a] "spiritual crisis, in which man is left lost...It's like he has nothing left to tie him into society anymore. He's isolated from the government. Isolated from his family...to the point where nothing makes sense."
Similarly, many of those attending the 2004 Vote for Change Shows in Meadowlands exhibited the ability to ignore Springsteen's themes.
“Many said the music mattered more than his messages."... "We support Bush, and we support Bruce," said Dan George, a law enforcement officer from Netcong, N.J., wearing a T-shirt that said, "Bruce fan. Bush fan." "We're going to have a great time tonight," he said.
Springsteen also showed his support for Christie's gubernatorial opponent, Jon Corzine, on the issue of gay marriage: "I've long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes that 'The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is -- a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law."
Prior to getting behind candidates, Springsteen was a stickler for staying on point, whether it be joblessness, the environment, veterans affairs or his most enduring cause, hunger. (Local food banks have had collection stations at his concerts since the early 1980s and he always alerts his audience that they are present). Post-Katrina, he made his first performance ever at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, a political statement unto itself and, like many of his points and causes, strictly American.
Consider these words spoken to Ted Koppel in explanation of his 2004 support of then Democratic candidate for President, John Kerry:
"I stayed a step away from partisan politics because I felt it was always important to have an independent voice. I wanted my fans to feel like they could trust that. But you build up credibility. ... And I think there comes a time when you feel, all right, I've built this up and it's time to spend some of this. And I think this is one of the most critical elections of my adult life, certainly. Very basic questions of American identity are at issue. Who we are. What do we stand for? When do we fight? As a nation, over the past four years, we've drifted away from, I think, very mainstream American values."
In 2008, Springsteen endorsed Barack Obama issuing this statement via his website:
According to Springsteen's statement, Senator Obama "speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years, a generous nation with a citizenry willing to tackle nuanced and complex problems. A country that's interested in its collective destiny and in the potential of its gathered spirit. A place where '. . . nobody crowds you, and nobody goes it alone.'"
"I have now seen and heard enough to know where I stand," Springsteen said Wednesday on his website.
And yet, still it seems, Chris Christie loves The Boss. Compartmentalism, surely!
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