I can see how Rachael and Ann Althouse disagree with me on what, exactly, N.J. Gov. Chris Christie meant when he told some female hecklers “something’s going down tonight, sweetheart.” As many have pointed out, “something’s going down” can mean “something’s happening.”
But I don’t buy this interpretation of events for some simple reason: What was happening “tonight”? The debate was over; the primary was still two days away. If he wasn’t making an oral sex joke, then his “zinger”—which was such a hit with his audience!—makes no sense.
Moreover, absolving Christie of the oral sex joke ignores his deeply condescending use of “sweetheart” as a pejorative. I suppose Christie supporters are ignoring that part because it’s indefensible.
