Chris Christie says Sarah Palin won't stump for him, but Rudy Giuliani will

http://www.nj.com ^ | Thursday July 09, 2009 | by Claire Heininger/Statehouse Bureau

[Maelstorm]

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie today said he will not invite former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to campaign for him in New Jersey.

Christie said he hopes to welcome former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani -- who campaigned with him during the GOP primary -- back to the Garden State this fall, but he believes the race is about him, not high-profile national Republicans.

"This is about New Jersey issues and New Jersey, and I don't think having Governor Palin here would do me, or frankly the state, a whole lot of good in the sense that we need to talk and focus on what the New Jersey issues are," Christie said during a radio interview on New Jersey 101.5 FM. "I hope Mayor Giuliani will continue to be supportive and be here and work with me, but other than that, I think the people of New Jersey have to hear from me and that's the person they'll be electing. I'll be sitting in the chair, and I want them to spend most of their time getting to know me."

[Maelstorm]

This is an example of GOP stupidity. While it is fine for him or the state party to not invite people or desire for certain people to campaign for them why in the hell would they even feed what they are feeding with this kind of response? I want Christie to win but he is doing himself no favors by smacking out at those who not only respect Gov. Palin but would be sure votes for him. He is going to have a rough enough race even though he is a ahead significantly. He should have said simply "We have no plans for Gov. Palin at this time and left it at that." All this does is leaves the door open for the local and national libs to stir things up dividing him from the grass roots. They need to grow up. 42.1% voted McCain/Palin in New Jersey and there are some very red parts of the state. I think it is wise though to leave the Presidential race out of it a bit. I would like to see Palin endorse and Campaign for Marco Rubio. If she could throw her support behind some budding conservatives who need some star power. She could help raise her stature even further and lay some bricks on the road to the Presidency. That said the GOP needs to stop falling into the media trap of attacking eachother.

[tdscpa]

Not stupid at all. No way in hell is anyone stupid enough to live in New Jersey going to pay any attention to anyone from as far away as Alaska.

[americanophile]

NJ is a very tough sell. Guiliani is a good fit there.

[Maelstorm]

I agree with the tactic. I just disagree with the delivery. Unnecessary angst is the last thing we need.

[byteback]

Geez maybe he should ask Palin to take him running.

[Rodebrecht]

I resent that. But then again, I’m planning on moving the New Hampshire soon.

[yongin]

Christie is smart to make the Jersey Governor race about Jersey issues (i.e. referendum on Corzine). The incumbent Governor, Jon Corzine, has poor approval ratings.

[americanophile]

Triangulation. He’s against Corzine, but he’s not a Palin kind of Republican either. It sends a distinct message. Unfortunate, but that’s politics (not that I think Palin would give a sh*t or campaign for him even if asked).

[Texas Eagle]

Looks like he should change his name to Chris Krispy Kreme.

Someone needs to catalogue the 'Pukes who distance themselves from Sarah Palin and the 'Pubbies who embrace her and see how the two groups fare in the '10 elections.

[Clyde5445]

I guess he doesn’t want Gov. Palin’s money either.

[FreepShop1]

Why even mention Palin at all? Just mention you will invite Rudy and that’s it. Dissing Sarah is just lousy manners. Everyone knows you have to be a RINO to win in NJ, except in Scott Garrett’s district, where there is something unusual in the water. but at least act decently.

[Jim from C-Town]

Very stupid to say anything about it.

He would have been better off to say nothing. If questioned: “Mr. Christie, will Gov. Palin be stumping for you in your bid for N.J. Governor.”

A: You know something, when going up against an incumbent with deep pockets, it is best to have all the help you can get.” End of story

Don't intentionally ostracize any potential right wing voter.

[Texas Eagle]

Damn. That Chris Christie guy looks big enough to be his own district.

That doesn't seem fair.

[pandoraou812]

Shaking my head again. I hope I get out of this state soon!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Why should Palin help a liberal RINO like Christie ?

[fieldmarshaldj]

He looks like Tony Soprano with more hair.

[Texas Eagle]

Chris Christie says Sarah Palin won't stump for him,

What makes you think she wants to?

Loser.

Oops. I mean Looser.

[JohnLongIsland]

This McCain wannabee is going to get his a*s handed to him by Corzine and the libs.

[Maelstorm]

I had the same reaction. This is just another example of GOP Sarah derangement syndrome. What I want to see is Sarah pick a handful of long shot GOP candidate conservatives and demonstrate her worth and fund raising capabilities.

[BossLady]

Exactly! He obvious lacks class and perspective.

[theanonymouslurker]

Well, I guess that seals the fact I’m not voting Christie.

[Plutarch]

I went to the Christie site mainly because I was amazed at how fat that guy is. He could be Coach at Notre Dame!

It appears that Christie hasn't always been so disinterested in support from National Republicans.

[nmh]

It makes sense. Cristie in NOT against ILLEGAL immigration and sanctuary cities. Rudy is on the same page as Christ on that and other topics. RHINOS are attracted to one another. Palin wouldn't help Christie. Who's he kidding?

[GregH]

At this stage, it is uncertain how bringing Palin would help other races, since the resignation of Palin there is a lot of uncertainity.

Christie is just playing it smart considering NJ is a dem state.

[tdscpa]

Sorry, guess I feel free to slam places like New Jersey, because people from there and nearby places refer to my home state and anywhere close as “flyover” country, and usually use that descriptive term as a reason to totally disdain the opinions of people who live out here.

Poor Sarah Palin has it even worse. Even people who live in Arkansas and Mississippi look down at Alaskans.

I look up to people in Alaska with respect and envy. I've been there twice on fishing trips, and would move there if I could afford it, and was still in good enough health to do the things I enjoyed there, and survive the environment.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

What a dope... I’m thinking I won’t freakin’ vote for this asshat now.

[exist]

Well...it’s New Jersey. Do what you have to do.

[Rodebrecht]

They call people from my part of Jersey hicks and rednecks.

[Titus-Maximus]

Christie has to get on the machines, he looks like a slob. I think he eats like he is going to the electric chair.

[tdscpa]

Also, I would think that most New Jersey voters would be agreeing with the “Media” that Sarah Palin is a flake and should be ignored.

Any state that would elect Lautenberg is no way going to vote for Sarah Palin.

[wardaddy]

boy, those Jersey folks are so tactful ..i remember feeling so loved at Paramus mall when I'd venture out

[Maelstorm]

It was just unnecessary and stupid. I once had a thing for a Jersey girl she wasn’t tactful but she had some things going for her.

[Irish Eyes]

Hope that Christie will make a good Governor. His decision on Palin could have been made in a much more diplomatic manner( not given the press so much ammunition)

[Maelstorm]

The worst thing is that he probably thinks it will help him. Sarah is a lightening rod and I’m so fning tired of the media, libs, and the establishment GOP attacking her and her family that it makes me want to go nuclear especially given the slew of dumb mistakes the male candidates get away with. Everyone talks around the issues, they talk about experience without talking about what kind of results. Sarah has the one thing that makes a difference, she has heart and the idealism that this country needs. She has such great potential. I hope Cristie wins but everyone needs to calm down a bit. The last thing we want is Corzine to win but I already see some signs that Christie seems to be headed towards trying to run the race on Corzine’s terms and if he does that he will lose no matter who campaigns for him. The GOP needs to find a voice but not a Democrat voice.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

So are you up on the mountains or down on the shore?

[YHAOS]

You can run, Christie, but you can’t hide. If Conservative values scare you, then you’re in the wrong Party.

[tdscpa]

Don’t know who “they” are, but I think of hicks and rednecks as poor residents, mostly of southern, sparsely populated states. I think I have also heard of a definition mentioning people who work outside and get a sunburn on the back of their neck. Perhaps that is just a Kansas definition.

Anyway, I never imagined a New Jersey dweller could be called a “redneck”. I would think the “sparsely populated” requirement would exclude New Jersey, the highest populated state in the country, at 1171 people/sq.mi., compared to 34 people/sq.mi. for Kansas, and 1.2 people/sq. mi. for Alaska.

[GVnana]

Makes sense to me.

[crazyhorse691]

Well Christie certainly has not been cheated at the all you can eat buffet. That said, smart move on his part to keep the election focused on NJ. IMO Sarah Palin ain’t going to lose any sleep over not being invited to Jursey.

[Rodebrecht]

Neither, I’m in rural Salem County. Are you another Jersey refugee?

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Escaped Jersey the first time in 1974, the second time in 1984. Lived in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Middlesex, Hudson, and Burlington counties at one time or another. Salem at least had a reasonable commute to Wilmington or Philly, but is was nice country itself.

[jws3sticks]

When looking at this bozo and considering printing his picture, I was not sure if I should do it in "Portrait" or "Landscape". He seems as wide as he is tall.

He's had more than his share of "rubber chicken" dinners, on the "community".

[Rodebrecht]

"They" are New Yorkers and people under that city's sphere of influence in North Jersey. I live in the state's more rural part, where there's still lots of farmland and wooded areas. Also, we're the most densely populated state.

[JohnG45]

His decision on Palin could have been made in a much more diplomatic manner( not given the press so much ammunition).

Exactly! If he didn't want her, just don't invite her. There was no need to verbalize it and thus give the MSM further ammunition to attack her.

Looks like we have ANOTHER Republican loser on our hands.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

"Well, bye Christie..."

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Why even mention Palin at all?

Because he's a moron RINO turd who wants to poke a stick in the eye of conservatives to shore up his blue blood support. It's all moot anyway Corslime is going to hand him his ass.

[AuntB]

This is proof that the left and right coast runs this country...of course they’re not interested in anything that might ignore or damage the rest of us.

Time for the American Heartland Party?

Past time, I say.

[Clemenza]

Giussolini is very popular among the nouveau riche folks with vowels at the end of their name in places like Monmouth and Bergen Counties. I can’t stand the man (although he was a good mayor) personally, but Christie is wise to bring in Giussolini instead of Palin (who is mocked by the female contingent of the nouveau riche goomba sect mentioned above).

[Clemenza]

Where are you? Remember that Gloucester, Burlington, Camden, and Cumberland Counties all voted for Obama (and haven’t voted GOP since 1988, thanks to all the fools who moved out from Philly).

[Rodebrecht]

I’m in Salem, one of only four counties that went for Lonegan in the primaries.