New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who has had a fraught relationship with the conservative movement, sought to win back friends on the right Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. In a 15-minute speech, Christie recounted his battle with public sector unions, defended the Koch brothers from Harry Reid’s vicious attacks, cursed at the president, blasted the media, and touted his pro-life views.

Speaking of the congressional “super committee” that failed to produce a plan to cut the deficit, Christie said, “The president never met with the super committee or got involved with them because he knew they were doomed to failure. Man, that’s leadership, isn’t it? You’re the leader of the government, you see something getting ready to go off the rails, and what you decide to do is stay as far away from it as possible? Well, my question now is the same question I had then, if that’s your attitude, Mr. President, what the hell are we paying you for?”