Christie said that Republican presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley ‘have not made the case against’ him in 2024. Mr. Donald Trump
DERRY, N.H. (AP) — Chris Christie is ratcheting up the heat on two other candidates as he seeks to be the last challenger standing against former President Donald Trump in the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.
Christie’s escalating criticism of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former UN Ambassador, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is for failing to aggressively oppose Trump, who remains the GOP nomination’s overwhelming favorite as he seeks a third term in office.
“Neither Ron DeSantis nor Nikki Haley have made the case against him.” They refuse to bring charges against him. “They’re afraid to bring charges against him,” Christie alleged in a Fox News Digital interview while campaigning in New Hampshire.
And Christie, an outspoken Trump opponent, boasted that “the one thing people say about me is that I’m not.”
DeSantis and Haley are now tied for second position in the most recent national polls in the 2024 Republican primary and in the most recent polls in Iowa, whose caucuses kick off the GOP nominating cycle.
As Christie runs for president a second time, he is focusing much of his time and resources on New Hampshire, which hosts the first Republican primary and votes second after Iowa. Christie is currently polling third in New Hampshire, after Trump but slightly ahead of Haley.
Christie bet everything on his presidential campaign in New Hampshire eight years ago. His campaign, however, imploded after a disappointing and distant sixth-place result in New Hampshire, well behind Trump, who destroyed the competition in the primary, propelling him to the nomination and, eventually, the White House.
Christie was the first Republican presidential candidate to support Trump, and he served as a major outside adviser to the then-president for years, chairing Trump’s high-profile opioid commission. However, the two fell out following Trump’s failed attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Biden. Christie has become one of the Republican Party’s fiercest Trump critics in the last three years.
Christie, who has promised to confront Trump on the campaign trail for months, said, “I think the one person Donald Trump doesn’t want to have a one-on-one with is me.”
“He’s not afraid of Nikki Haley,” Christie contended. “And he made his feelings about Ron DeSantis clear.” He doesn’t appear to be intimidated by him. But the truth is, you don’t hear him say that about me. He refuses to be on that stage with me.”
Christie spoke at a town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Monday night alongside Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who also joined Haley and DeSantis on the campaign trail in the Granite State this week.
Christie staked everything on his presidential campaign in New Hampshire eight years ago. On the other hand, his campaign disintegrated after a disappointing and distant sixth-place finish in New Hampshire, trailing Trump, who annihilated the competition in the primary, driving him to the nomination and, finally, the White House.
Christie was the first Republican presidential candidate to endorse Trump, and he was a key outside adviser to the then-president for several years, chairing Trump’s high-profile opioid commission. However, the two fell out after Trump’s failed attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Biden. In the previous three years, Christie has emerged as one of the Republican Party’s most outspoken Trump detractors.
Christie stated that he needed to perform “well” in New Hampshire’s primary to succeed in his long-shot presidency run in 2024. When asked to describe what “well” implies, Christie replied, “No. I’m at a loss for words. I’ll recognize it when I see it, and we’ll see how it appears.”
“If I don’t think I’ve done well enough,” Christie stated emphatically. “I’m not going to stay here for long.” This is a difficult job, and you must get out of bed every morning believing you can win. And if I don’t believe I have a chance to win, I’m not going to prolong a campaign just for the purpose of doing it.”
“I’m convinced that I’m going to do very well here,” he added. And I’m going to be the last person standing against Donald Trump. I’m going to take this right to the convention because he’s going to be convicted of federal charges, including election involvement, this spring.”
Trump made history by becoming the first former or current president to be indicted for a crime. Still, his four indictments – including in federal court in Washington, D.C., and Fulton County court in Georgia on charges of attempting to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss – have only strengthened his support among Republican voters.
Christie is a longtime buddy of West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, dating back to their days as governors. Manchin, a moderate Democrat in a very Republican state, said earlier this month that he would not seek re-election to the Senate next year and is considering a third-party presidential bid instead.
“I had supper with Joe about ten days ago in D.C. “It was wonderful to see him,” Christie said. “We had a fantastic dinner on his boat in the Potomac.” He’s been a fantastic buddy for 14 years, and I’m confident that whatever happens in the future year, we’ll remain great friends.”
However, Christie has ruled out collaborating with Manchin in any potential third-party presidential candidacy.
“I’m determined to win the Republican presidential nomination.” “I don’t want to be a third-party candidate,” Christie told Fox News. “Joe is free to do whatever he wants.” Everyone must make their own choice. My choice is that being the Republican nominee for president is the only interest I have because I believe it gives me the best chance of winning.”
