Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is officially commencing his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in Manchester, New Hampshire, bringing national attention to the state.
This time, however, his primary objective is to attack Trump, although he was a former ally and top supporter. At a town hall meeting at St. Anselm College, the 60-year-old addressed Republican electors.
Chris Christie Attacks Trump During Launch of Presidential Bid
After Trump refused to concede his defeat to President Joe Biden in 2020 and spread falsehoods about voter fraud, Christie has become a leading critic of the former president and Republican frontrunner.
Christie criticized some of Trump's broken promises and character on Tuesday evening, as per CBS News. Experts, such as WBZ political analyst Jon Keller, deem Christie a long chance in the expanding Republican primary field.
In 2016, Christie finished sixth in the New Hampshire primary and his campaign ended there. Christie's announcement comes one day after New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu decided not to run, expressing concern that a congested field could lead to Trump's nomination and the party's demise.
Republican voters believe that Christie's efforts are worthwhile. On Wednesday in Iowa, former Vice President Mike Pence is anticipated to announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination.
Per CNN, Christie described Trump as a "lonely, self-consumed mirror hog" who poses a threat to the republic based solely on his personality. Christie, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the 2016 primary and then became a close adviser to the former president ahead of the 2020 election, characterized his past support as a mistake and implored Republicans to join him in rejecting the GOP frontrunner at a town hall event in New Hampshire.
Approximately thirty minutes after he began speaking, Christie made his own statement. Christie is scheduled to participate in a CNN town hall on Monday in New York, where he will answer questions from CNN's Anderson Cooper and a live audience consisting of Republicans from the first four GOP nominating states as well as voters from New Jersey and New York who intend to vote in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
Also identical to his first bid, Christie is a part of a crowded field that, if the past is any indication, could pave the way for a Republican nominee with less than majority support. In addition to Trump and DeSantis, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, and South Carolina senator Tim Scott have launched presidential campaigns.
On Wednesday, Pence, who has already submitted his candidacy paperwork, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum are anticipated to join the gathering.
Christie Compares Himself to Abraham Lincoln, George Washington
Christie on Tuesday extolled his ability as a boxer while also making a case for compromise. He criticized DeSantis, a former Freedom Caucus member of the US House who now enjoys unified Republican control of the state legislature, for never achieving or even attempting compromise.
Not only does Christie hope to capitalize on the anti-Trump vote, but his announcement speech also heavily emphasized character, referencing founding fathers such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as the country's finest leaders.
Christie subtly portrayed himself as one of these leaders, adding that he is not a flawless individual. He implied to voters that his ability to acknowledge his own faults is indicative of his character, according to USA Today.
In contrast to other candidate announcements, which tend to be crowded with already-decided supporters, Christie launched his presidential campaign at a town hall filled with undecided Republican primary voters in New Hampshire.
Aldrian Rostron, 73 years old and an undecided voter from Nashua, praised Christie's willingness to go after Trump. Rostron supported Biden in the 2020 election, but she intends to vote in the Republican primary.
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