Is this the reason Chris Christie decided to take shots at fellow Republicans?

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” this morning criticizing Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) while he tries to deal with the Harvey destruction in East Texas. He also commented negatively on President Donald Trump’s pardon of Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

As Christie is in the last months of his governorship with low approval ratings, it might seem odd that he has decided to surface on MSNBC, who roundly criticized him for utilizing a shut-down New Jersey beach for his own benefit during the Independence Day Weekend.

Mike Opelka believes he knows the reason for Christie’s sudden desire to make the cable news rounds today, and shared his theory on Wednesday’s “Pure Opelka.” New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez (D) is being tried on 12 counts of corruption amounting to abuses of power. The trial begins September 6.

If Menendez is convicted -- or resigns or is expelled from the Senate – before January, Christie would have the power to choose his short-term replacement. “He could also appoint himself,” Mike mentioned, so he doesn’t “have to go back to working for a living.”

To see more from Mike, visit his channel on TheBlaze and listen live to “Pure Opelka” weekdays noon–3 p.m. ET, "Pure Opelka Replay" weekdays midnight–3 a.m. ET & “Pure Opelka” Saturdays 6–9 a.m. ET, only on TheBlaze Radio Network.