Posted on 02/10/2016 7:45:23 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Chris Christie may have won a battle against Marco Rubio in New Hampshire, but he ended up losing the war. Despite having rattled Rubio enough during the debate to reverse his Iowa momentum, Christie wound up trailing Rubio by three points and finishing well out of the delegate hunt. With his Granite State strategy in shreds and his inability to qualify for the next Republican debate, Christie went home to New Jersey last night instead of making his promised visit to South Carolina:
Christie told supporters Tuesday evening that he is heading back to New Jersey Wednesday -- and not going to South Carolina -- so he can take stock of his Republican presidential bid.
"We decided that we're going to go home to New Jersey tomorrow and we're going to take a deep breath," he said.
Christie had a somber tone during his speech, as he said he wants to reassess everything after the final tally from the primary comes in. He is projected to finish sixth.
CNN reports this morning that Christie’s discussing exit strategies with his campaign advisers:
Two sources close to Chris Christie says he is huddling with his top campaign aides today and all indications are that they expect him to formally suspend his campaign and end his bid for the Republican nomination. Details are still begin worked out.
One source noted that the New Jersey governor is a “political realist” and understood that not qualifying to appear in Saturday’s debate and the lack of money made it impossible to go forward.
Rubio’s polling definitely took a hit from his exchange with Christie on Saturday night. Why didn’t Christie’s rise from it? Fox’s Brit Hume probably said it best during last night’s coverage. “Voters already have a bully-boy in Donald Trump,” and didn’t need two.
ABC hears the same thing:
NEW: Chris Christie expected to formally suspend his presidential campaign as early as today, @ABC News has learned pic.twitter.com/wdHfW9JUEA
— ABC News (@ABC) February 10, 2016
There does not appear to be much reason to persevere. Christie’s doing poorly in South Carolina polling, and he bet most of his campaign on New Hampshire. Instead of getting the so-called “establishment lane” to himself, John Kasich and Jeb Bush beat him instead. He may have helped propel Kasich to a better result with his attack on Rubio, but Christie didn’t even succeed to the extent of knocking him out of the race.
With Christie out, the remaining governors could hope to consolidate that so-called establishment lane, but … there doesn’t appear to be much appetite among voters for that option. In Christie’s case, there simply isn’t that much to split.
Looks like they’re doing line dancing — Cotton Eye Joe, or something.
“There will be huge pressure from the party for all but one of those guys to drop out.”
Agreed!
Chris Christie expected to pull out.
Yes, but what is he doing to do about his campaign?
[cymbal crash]
I want to give him the Defensive MVP Award before he quits for kicking Marco Robo out of the top tier and really wish he’d stay in a while longer just to be able to do it again.
Christie will make a fine Attorney General!
“Chris Christie, you just got trounced in the New Hampshire primary. What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to Denny’s Land!”
Trump could use the guy....maybe Transportation Dept....you know...bridges and stuff
He’s gonna reassess how much he’s on the hook for money wise and the impact of it on future, lesser gigs.
In the end, it is about the money and how much he can secure for his retirement through “campaign means.”
He should have taken Rush Limbaugh’s advice and ran as a democrat.
Crispy and CNN are just baiting the Cruz team.
Cue Powers Boothe
They are both North Eastern Republicans (Democrats anywhere else) so makes complete sense if Christie supports Trump
Cruz Campaign Team: DON’T TWEET THIS STORY!!!
Governors and former governors are not having a real good run at the presidency 2016:
Gilmore - unknown
Huckabee - gone
Jindal - gone
Perry - gone
Pataki - gone
Walker - gone
Christie - likely gone
Kasich and Bush - shaky
All but which one though? If Christie goes, Rubio can argue that he can take on the others, Jeb can argue that it's his turn and him Mommy loves him, and Kasich can argue that he's the one who is rising at the polls.
Christie’s time will come. He’s still a young man.
He should keep on doing what he’s doing in NJ.
Later, with more campaign experienc, he will be a formidable candidate.
I heard some pundits mention Trump/Christie 2016 - The no nonsense ball breaker ticket?
Can anybody explain what Christie got out of going suicide bomber on Rubio? Aside from the 72 virgins, that is.
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