New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vows to be more outspoken and combative in the next Republican Party primary debate, which is scheduled for Sept. 16 at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
The 2016 Republican presidential candidate’s remarks came as he claimed in an interview this week with Jimmy Fallon that he was “snubbed” during the first GOP debate in August.
“There was one point where I went 20 questions in a row without being asked a question,” Christie said of the first debate, which was hosted by Fox News. “I’m standing up there, standing next to Marco Rubio and we’re still going, ‘Are we still on? Do our mikes work?'”
Fallon pressed the governor, asking why he didn’t speak up during the debate.
“I didn’t think it was appropriate for that night,” Christie responded, acknowledging that some of his 2016 competitors, including retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, had done exactly that. “But stay tuned on September 16, I may be changing tactics. If I get to 15 questions in a row — count them at home — you’re going to go, ‘Uh oh, he’s going to go nuclear now!'”
Asked about the current GOP front-runner, former reality TV star Donald Trump, Christie jokingly told Fallon he’s not at all surprised about the real estate mogul’s success in the polls.
“Oh no, I completely expected that, didn’t you?” Christie asked. “Everything [Trump] does is fabulous, spectacular, wonderful, amazing!”
In reference to the upcoming debates and whether he has a shot at the party’s nominations, Christie said, “Life is a strange, strange ride, Jimmy. We’ll just keep riding it.”
“Fact is, it doesn’t really matter… We’re five and a half months before anybody votes. It’s a long way away, and there’s a lot of work to do. That’s what campaigns are about… I’m not worried about anyone, Donald or anyone. I got to worry about me,” he added.
It’s unclear whether Christie will actually make the next debate. CNN explained that the main event would feature the top 10 polling candidates. Christie currently polls at just one percent with voters, according to a recent Monmouth University poll.
Christie currently polls at three percent, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average. He polls behind former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Carson, and former reality TV star Donald Trump.
