It would seem like a slam dunk, given the dire warnings and harsh criticism he’s leveled at Trump, whom he’s described as a threat to democracy. Those answers were likely less than satisfying to the conservatives who make up the lion’s share of the GOP primary voter core.Ĭhristie’s attempts to straddle those two worlds can be dizzying at times – like when he was asked who, in his view, was the bigger hazard to the country – Trump or Biden? Wade but that the federal government “should not be involved” in legislating around the issue. Pressed for a clear position on abortion rights, Christie said that he supported the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. When asked about guns and mass shootings, Christie called it the most difficult public policy question in American politics, then hedged on an answer, discussing the importance of law enforcement, mental health and a willingness to compromise in pursuit of a solution.
Laura Oliverio/CNNĪ general election candidate in the Republican primaryĬhristie’s colorful anti-Trump rhetoric can sometimes obscure an even larger challenge facing his candidacy: He is and has always been, at least in the current context, a political moderate. “We are at least a suitable fourth,” he joked.Ĭhristie also pushed back on an audience member’s concern that he would be too willing to compromise with Democrats, saying he’s ready now to go to Washington and “make it work for Republican values in the right way.”Ĭooper listens as Christie answers a question during the town hall. I’ve done it in the toughest state,” Christie said, allowing that perhaps New York, California and Illinois might be tougher on Republicans. “I fight, but the skill in this business is to fight and fight and fight and then know when the moment is to take your win and go.”Ĭhristie – who made his name nationally through force of personality during his near-decade leading New Jersey – then spun through some of his accomplishments in dealing with Democratic legislative leaders in the heavily Democratic state, including lowering property taxes and backing charter schools. I don’t go and lay down,” Christie said in response to a question from New Jersey voter. Laura Oliverio/CNNĬhristie has cornered the market on Trump criticism in the GOP primary, but on Monday, he also attempted to sell his own candidacy to voters. “They’re playing political games with you,” Christie told the audience, arguing that his rivals were trying to stay close to Trump now in hopes of being able to compete for his supporters should he be forced out of the race.Ĭhristie speaks during the town hall. “This is all (Trump) saying … ‘I’m more important than the country,’” Christie said.Ĭhristie also slammed the other GOP primary candidates for either hedging or taking Trump’s side by attacking the Justice Department. Third, he said, was the simple fact that Trump is “voluntarily putting our country through this” – a reference to the fact that Trump was repeatedly asked by the government to return the sensitive documents long before the issue escalated to a legal matter. That trove is believed to include plans for war with Iran, details about US nuclear weapons and daily security briefings from his time in office.Īfter that, Christie pointed to the implication in the indictment that Trump lied and tried to involve his personal lawyer, who eventually ended up being made to turn over documents to prosecutors.
Asked what he thought was the most damning part of the indictment, the former US attorney for the District of New Jersey said there was too much to choose from.įirst, Christie said, was the “nature of the documents” that Trump is accused of unlawfully retaining after leaving office.
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