Stating that running for re-election in New Jersey is of higher importance, Gov. Chris Christie rejected Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul's invitation for a "beer summit" to smooth out their recent differences on civil liberties, The Daily Mail reported.
In an interview with New Jersey radio station 101.5, Christie explained, "I don't really have time for that at the moment. If I find myself down in Washington I'll certainly look him up. But I don't suspect I'll be there anytime soon."
Christie's response comes after a string of heated comments both legislators slung at each other based off of comments Christie made during a speech in Aspen, Colorado last week. During his talk, Christie mentioned the "strain of libertarianism" making it's way through both the Democratic and Republican parties is "dangerous" when fighting terrorism. He did not mention any specific politicians, but Paul took exception.
"Christie worries about the danger of freedom. I worry about the danger of losing that freedom. Spying without warrants is unconstitutional," Paul tweeted on July 26.
He then went on CNN and claimed Christie was responsible directing too much money away from national defense and used Hurricane Sandy as an example.
Christie immediately shot back.
"I just have to assume from that that he's just trying to get attention," he said. "And that's fine: He's not the first politician who's used me to get attention in the national media, and I'm sure he won't be the last."
The Christie-Paul fued has not only garnered attention for the controversial statements, but for the growing concern for the future of the Republican party, especially a 2016 presidential election slowly coming into the picture.
"We have an identity crisis, and you see the identity crisis playing out through all the various fissures," Republican strategist Ron Bonjean said. "It could take several election cycles until we actually come to consensus again. Our party may have to go to the brink of disaster before we pull back and realize what we have to do."
