Governor Christie Riding High
Reaping the benefits of a crushing debate performance.
Written by Spencer Solomon
Co-reported by Lizzie Clarke
Experienced, heavyweight, verbal boxing champion Chris Christie may be back in the game in New Hampshire. After letting loose on amateur debater Marco Rubio during the most recent GOP showdown this Saturday night, the spotlight returned to the Christie campaign. The well-spoken governor from New Jersey outed Rubio with deliberate attacks on the Senator’s lack of experience and inability to be himself. The effects of Christie’s lively attacks showed Sunday; not only was the Rubio camp in recovery mode, the Christie’s campaign took advantage of the much needed rejuvenation. Former Rubio supporters shifted back into the undecided category.
“I started out liking Rubio, then saw that [expletive] flop last night and now I’m all over the place”
Many experts have reported on the visible hit that Rubio took as a result of the debate. Chris Megerian and Michael A. Memoli of the Los Angeles Times write, “Rubio fought back and easily handled several questions on foreign policy later in the debate, but repeated images of him wiping sweat from his forehead underscored the image of a young candidate being rattled by the most sustained attacks he has weathered in the campaign.” The question for the Christie camp, however, is whether the Governor’s performance not only hurt Rubio, but helped him. Christie and the supporters who rallied at his events today certainly seem to think his work on the big stage Saturday night did the trick.
Both Christie and his supporters believe it was that moment in the debate that defined Christie’s experience and ability to execute under pressure. During one of his Town Hall meetings Sunday at Shooters Pub in Exeter, NH, Christie spoke these words on the subject:
That debate last night shows that experience matters. Preparation matters. The lights are bright and they get brighter and hotter the closer you get to the presidency and we didn’t melt we shined. We shouldn’t be wondering why Obama isn’t working. It’s a lack of experience. I don’t care that I like Rubio, he isn’t ready. So, if he can’t handle that, there is no way he can handle Clinton in the general election…It would be a colossal failure.
Christie continued to push the point that experience is the reason he is best fit for the presidency. Towards the end of his stump speech, Christie showed how he came to be prepared to run this country.
I have been tested, folks. I was tested by the most liberal state in the country. I was tested everyday by a democratic legislature. I was tested by the second worst national disaster. I was tested through trial and tribulations.
However, Christie is not the only one who takes pride in his experience and overwhelmingly powerful personality. Pam McElroy, who came out to support Christie at Shooter’s Pub yesterday afternoon, articulated why she was drawn to Governor Christie’s campaign. McElroy, who only committed to supporting Christie after a combination of Christie’s performance during the debate and the rally he held in Hampton yesterday morning, expressed that is his personality that ultimately compelled her to support him. She spoke on the subject:
He has a tremendous empathy for others. At the rally this morning he spoke about Hurricane Sandy and the way he handled it just pulled at my heart strings. He spoke as a parent, not just a governor. More than that, he has the ability to take something so tragic and break it down piece by piece, something only a leader can do.
McElroy feels that America needs someone who is quick on their feet and, that is what Christie is. “He is a great listener to both Republicans and Democrats and he knows how to show and receive respect, something [Donald] Trump hasn’t mastered,” she said.
McElroy also spoke of Christie’s unique sense of humor, which makes him a very approachable candidate. Christie proved her observations rang true during his speech at the afternoon rally, making jokes including saying at one point that those who were supporting other campaigns should take a long vacation starting tomorrow, adding that it was super cold and he had a warm van outside that would take them to the airport.
These qualities are all parts of a persona Christie carries with him everywhere he goes, making his appeal infectious. Along with the aspects of Christie that McElroy mentioned, the governor has other qualities he equally prides himself on. The major one being confidence. When asked directly at his rally yesterday, aside from his experience as governor, how Christie believes he can take on Secretary Clinton in the fall, Christie quickly replied, “I’m just going to be myself, that’ll be more than enough. I’ve been prosecuting people for seven years, you saw me doing it last night and you can expect nothing less when I’m face to face with Hillary Clinton in November.” Another reporter asked Christie if he was feeling the pressure as Tuesday nears, he chuckled and said, “Do I look like I’m feeling the pressure? I’m real relaxed heading into Tuesday, just like I was last night on that debate stage.” Furthermore, Christie also mentioned that when he ran into Sec. Clinton, he said, “Nice to see you, and see you in the fall.”
Confident is a huge part of who Christie is. It allows him to be at home both in front of thousands and the intimacy of the town hall format in places such as Shooter’s Pub. Christie is the candidate that can walk into blue collar bar with complete confidence and feel the most comfortable. There were even times when Christie expressed that the smaller settings are where he is most comfortable and said that when he was elected president, he would come back to celebrate right in Shooter’s.
Christie’s charisma, appeal, and strong tactful debate on Saturday seem to have injected new energy in his campaign making these final days before the voting on Tuesday far more exciting and less predictable. As of now, there is no telling exactly where the big man will poll in the “first of the nation” primary.
