New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivered a speech in New Hampshire proclaiming the importance of the Republican Party and imploring conservative voters to avoid supporting any third party candidate.
“[I]t would be absurd, it would be irresponsible to split the party, and give Hillary Clinton at least four years in the White House,” Christie said. “Listen, there are many Republican voters who are supporting what the media calls ‘protest’ candidates like Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, or Ben Carson. But most if not all of these same voters are loyal Republicans who voted for Mitt Romney in 2012, for John McCain in 2008, and for President George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.”
“These same voters — these voters so demonized in the press — played a critical role in putting Republicans in charge of the House and Senate and putting 31 governors in our state capitals. Do I agree with all of them on every issue? Of course not … but I tell you I don’t believe that they are merely blinded by a cult of personality, or that they have embraced values and beliefs outside the mainstream of American life. These voters are, in the overwhelming majority of cases, men and women of good faith who are trying to make this country better, and who deserve to have their voices heard. Indeed, many of their criticisms of recent U.S. policy are legitimate, and should be taken seriously.”
During Christie’s speech at St. Anselm College, he repeatedly urged GOP primary voters not to consider voting for a third party candidate and thereby, “splitting this party, and handing the election to Hillary Clinton.”
The governor also argued that strong disagreements within the party can be a sign of great strength and he does not believe the GOP is destined to split in two.
Christie said that he is the candidate best capable of uniting competing factions of potential Republican primary voters.
“Bringing our party together is the first task of the next Republican leader,” Christie said. “Without that unity we cannot win. And that unity is not possible without respect for the views, the emotions, the principles and the anger and disappointment of all the members of our party. It is with that respect for all and unity aimed towards victory where our greatest chance lies. Let us work together to seize that chance and to seize it starting today.”
The governor also told the New Hampshire audience that he believes the country does not need an “entertainer-in-chief,” in a not-so-veiled shot at Trump.
Christie ranks third in the Washington Examiner‘s newest GOP presidential power rankings.
