Donald Trump is “rewriting the playbook”, said Christie, 53, who until earlier this month was a Trump rival for the Republican Party nomination.
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Christie, known as one of his party’s most effective and vicious attack dogs, embraced the role within minutes of joining Trump.
“A guy like Ted is tougher…and he’s actually smarter, in all fairness”, Trump added, comparing Rubio and Cruz.
“I am proud to offer my endorsement of his candidacy for President”, 53-year-old Christie said yesterday at a rally in Fortworth, Texas.
“I’ve gotten to know all the people on that stage”. Christie dismissed the idea in a CNN interview, saying, “This makes no sense”.
“Christie had a choice”. “When you sit back, kind of a no-brainer”.
Mr Trump, a brash real estate magnate, has won three straight nominating contests in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada and he aims to win big in key primaries on Tuesday in U.S. southern states including Texas.
During a January event in New Hampshire, Christie called Trump one of the “carnival barkers of today”. “So I think I should support him since we’re one of the same cloth”, said LePage, an outspoken politician whose comments have often thrown him in the spotlight – just like Trump.
WATCH: Gov. Charlie Baker Reacts To Christie Endorsing Trump Talking to reporters at the State House, Gov. Charlie Baker said he still hasn’t decided who gets his vote in the Republican presidential primary.
“We know that Christie certainly has national ambitions”, said Chris Galdieri, of St. Anselm College.
That was all forgotten in the endorsement.
The shift marked the beginning of a long-awaited Trump takedown effort that was cheered by anxious Republicans nationwide who question Trump’s party loyalty and fear he’s unelectable in a general election. He’s been a spectacular governor. “He has been just a wonderful person and a wonderful loyal person”, Trump said.
Christie’s move to endorse Trump, however, quickly pulled Baker back into the debate about the race, where MA voters will go to primary polls next week as part of the so-called “Super Tuesday” slate of balloting.
A week later, Christie responded.
“This guy’s got more coverage on this network by a multiple of five or six than any of the rest of us, and he says he is being treated unfairly?”
Former 8th District Assemblyman Chris J. Brown has endorsed Rubio and plans to argue for the Florida senator when the Burlington County Republican Committee makes its decision.
Does he agree with the pundits who say the Republican nomination is Trump’s to lose?
“I am thrilled to be here this morning to lend my support”.
Christie was once vehemently against a Trump presidency, so what changed?
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“It looked like he was jumping into a swimming pool with his clothes on”, Trump said.
