New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie argued Thursday that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s steadfast pro-life position could hurt him in New Hampshire.
“I will tell you one thing Marco Rubio has done, he’s made it very clear that on the issue of pro-life, Marco Rubio is not for an exception for rape, incest or life of the mother,” Christie said on MSNBC. “Now, I think that’s the kind of position that New Hampshire voters would be really concerned about. I’m pro-life, but I believe that rape, incest, and life of the mother, as Ronald Reagan did, should be exceptions to that rule.”
The Republican presidential candidates have often sought to outflank one another to the right on most issues, but Christie’s tack toward the middle suggests he believes the New Hampshire electorate will prove less conservative than other early nominating states, as it has in election cycles past.
Christie also said he has real reservations about Rubio’s ability to serve as commander-in-chief.
“The problem with someone like Marco Rubio is, quite frankly, he has not proven he can ever get anything done except to get up in the morning, fix his hair, smile, and give the same speech he’s given for the last six years,” Christie said. “I don’t understand how that’s a qualification for president of the United States.”
The Rubio campaign responded in a statement noting Christie’s ties to Planned Parenthood.
“After personally donating to Planned Parenthood, it’s only fitting that Chris Christie is attacking conservative Republicans for being pro-life,” Rubio spokesman Jahan Wilcox said in a statement.
Christie ranks seventh in the Washington Examiner‘s newest GOP presidential power rankings.
