Usually, rude people aren't well-liked. They're not popular. They don't get elected president of their college's student government association, let alone governor of a densely populated state. 

But somehow with the current governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, his rudeness comes across, perplexingly, as a kind of awesome. 

I first became aware of Christie's no-nonsense talk when he was conducting heated town hall meetings across New Jersey over his proposed budget cuts. He was known to make the conversation very personal with angry questioners, call them out on their rudeness, and then respond with a reasoned, forceful comeback. 

Christie did it again recently, when he told off a caller to a radio show who questioned why he sent his kids to private school. 

"First off it's none of your business," Christie said. "I don't ask you where you send your kids to school. Don't bother me about where I send mine."

When "Meet The Press" host David Gregory asked Christie Sunday about whether his response was appropriate, Christie said, "damn right." 

"This is who I am," he said. "I am very blunt. I am very direct."

Later, he added: "I'm huggable and lovable. I'm not abrasive at all. I'm honest." 

It's somewhat strange to me that Christie's rudeness comes off as so likable, but, inexplicably, it does. 

The reason, I think, is because Christie is touching on an impulse every human has: The impulse to tell off a know-it-all.

Almost everyone knows someone who criticizes them, nags them, or constantly acts like they know everything. Most people sit there and take it, because they're afraid of being seen as rude. But Christie doesn't care. He tells people off. He throws rudeness back in the person's face. Watching Christie is a vicarious victory for the viewer. 

He allows viewers who lack the chutzpah to speak up for themselves the vicarious thrill of telling off the know-it-all who criticizes them. 

This also explains why Christie is so popular outside his state with Republicans (such as those in S.C. holding a draft Christie campaign) but currently has negative approval ratings in N.J. If the people you're telling off are your constituents, they're likely not to like you. But outsiders will enjoy the vicarious thrill of watching the showdown.

Christie isn't running for the presidency, but, from an entertainment standpoint, I wish he were. His bluntness would make the race for the White House much more exciting.