EXETER, N.H. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie thinks the blow he landed on Florida Sen. Marco Rubio during Saturday night’s presidential debate has turned the 2016 race on its head.
Christie said he believes more candidates will survive the Granite State primary than in past election cycles, largely because of the debate.
“Going into last night there was a march among the chattering class and the political operatives in this country to anoint Sen. Rubio. And I think that anointment is now over,” Christie told reporters. “So I think it changes the entire race and means that there’re probably more tickets out of this state than before last night because I don’t think anybody is ready to settle on somebody at this point after what went on last night.”
Christie said he could not immediately foresee a situation under which he would drop out after New Hampshire, and already had reservations for South Carolina.
Before departing Shooters Pub, the governor took a parting shot at the freshman senator from Florida.
“The anointed one last night didn’t look like he was ready for the game,” Christie said. “You remember what Mike Tyson said, that great political philosopher, you all remember that? Everybody’s got a plan ’til you get punched in the face.”
