Chris Christie arrives to speak to supporters during an event announcing he will seek the Republican nomination for president, June 30, 2015, at Livingston High School in Livingston, New Jersey. (Photo: AP/Julio Cortez)
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie just won the most important editorial thumbs-up in the Granite State, adding to an already impressive list of endorsements across-the-political spectrum.
“Thanksgiving is just past. Christmas is ahead. We doubt that too many people across New Hampshire have politics front and center right now,” The New Hampshire Union Leader wrote in an admission to the historically earliness of their endorsement. “But in just 10 weeks, New Hampshire will make a choice that will profoundly affect our country and the world. We better get it right.”
“Our choice is Gov. Chris Christie.”
No less than four of the Republican presidential hopefuls in 2016 have pegged their campaigns on the first in the nation primary state, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Christie. But the paper made clear at least one of those is just too risky of a pick considering the seriousness of the times.
“We don’t need another fast-talking, well-meaning freshman U.S. senator trying to run the government,” the paper wrote in a not-so thinly veiled hit at Rubio. “We are still seeing the disastrous effects of the last such choice.”
Bush and others have tried to peg Rubio as the Republican version of Obama, all show and no experience. However, as Bush engaged in tit-for-tat back-and-forths with his former Floridian friend, Christie was beating the pavement in New Hampshire. The New Jersey governor has by far spent the most time in the state out of all the candidates, earning him endorsements from conservative activists and moderate business leaders alike.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Chris Christie is exactly the conservative leader that our nation needs in these dark and dangerous times,” said Chidester, a conservative activist, former Dover community police officer and a U.S. Army Veteran. “Governor Christie’s conservative record of reform in New Jersey, combined with his detailed plans to improve America’s financial and national security make him the best qualified candidate for President of the United States. After years of weakness in the Oval Office, it will take a strong, tough leader like Governor Christie to ensure that America is safe and secure from threats at home and abroad.”
Influential New Hampshire business leaders and moderate Republican activists Dan and Renee Plummer endorsed Christie this week after meeting nearly every Republican candidate. The Plummers called Christie the most tested and best prepared in these challenging times.
“Our country is at a tipping point: ISIS threatens America’s security, drug use tears apart our families, and our veterans do not receive the care they have been promised in return for their service. After personally meeting with nearly every Republican candidate for President, we firmly believe that Chris Christie is the best equipped to face these challenges, and we proudly endorse him for President.” The Plummers added, “Governor Christie has the strength to stand up for American interests and the compassion to believe in the potential of the American people. The times are too challenging to take a chance on inexperience – and no candidate is more tested and ready than Chris Christie.”
