Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie evaded a question on Sunday regarding his intention to support the eventual 2024 Republican nominee for president, even if it means lying, in order to secure a spot on the GOP debate stage.
During an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Jake Tapper played a clip of former Representative Will Hurd, another contender for the 2024 race, stating that he “can’t lie” and pledge support to the potential nominee, which could be former President Donald Trump.
Tapper then asked Christie if he planned to lie to secure a place on the debate stage, alluding to the ex-governor’s public declaration that he would not vote for Trump again.
Christie responded, “Well, I won’t see Will Hurd on the debate stage. That’s okay by me. The fact is, we’ve got to change our party and change our country.”
He pointed out that eight years ago, all candidates signed debate pledges, but when asked to reaffirm them on stage, Trump refused to raise his hand and faced no consequences.
Christie’s campaign has pledged to take the pledge in 2024 as seriously as Trump did in 2016. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has emphasized the importance of candidates signing the pledge to avoid party disunity and a potential split.
Christie’s campaign claims to have surpassed the required threshold of 40,000 unique donors to qualify for the debate scheduled for August 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is also expected to meet the polling requirement, given his 2.6% standing in the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.
However, the loyalty pledge remains a point of contention. Christie has made it his mission to take down Trump in the 2024 GOP primary, criticizing him for spreading lies about the election.
“He’s a liar and a coward,” Christie remarked about Trump’s claims that he considers the indictment against him a “badge of honor and courage.”
During an appearance at the Turning Point Action convention, Trump responded, stating, “Every time the radical left Democrats, Marxists, Communists, and Fascists indict me, I consider it to be a great badge of honor and courage. I’m doing it for you. I’m being indicted for you. Better me than you, right?”
Christie countered, saying, “He’s not getting indicted for anyone other than because of his own conduct.”
Christie has previously positioned himself as a truth-teller, highlighting his honesty, directness, and care for the people.
Recognizing the debates as his best opportunity to challenge the frontrunner, Christie has emphasized the need for Trump to defend his record on the stage. However, Trump’s team has hinted at the possibility of skipping the first two GOP debates, making a showdown between the two uncertain.
When appearing on ABC News’ “This Week,” Christie urged Trump to debate, urging him to defend his record if he wanted to be the nominee.
The Trump campaign dismissed Christie’s remarks, with Trump’s campaign spokesman stating, “Chris Christie lives in a perpetual fantasy land where he thinks he can be president. Everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie wrapped in incoherent psychotic rage, and he needs to get some professional help.”
{Matzav.com}
Christie had a history of being a vindictive liar.
He should not be trusted with a position of leadership or power.
Regardless of what what you think of Trump, he will bring a huge amount of drama that you must consider before voting for him as well.
I’m not telling you who to vote for in the primary, just what I think of these two candidates.
Any vote for those whom Trump nicknamed is a vote in vain as they’re not around anymore.