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.