New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie cast himself as the most formidable challenger to Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton Saturday, calling himself “an old truck” ready for mud.
“When we get on that stage with Hillary Clinton next September … she’s going to be throwing every piece of mud she can,” Christie said while stumping in Exeter, N.H.
“That’s the Clinton playbook,” Christie claimed.
Offering an extended metaphor about trucks, the governor described himself as a old, reliable vehicle.
“You want that old truck on the stage,” Christie said.
“There are a bunch of new, shiny trucks in this race,” Christie said. “They look nice. They sound nice. But they’ve never been in the mud.”
“They haven’t been tested,” Christie said.
The metaphor seemed aimed at putting a positive spin on the “Bridgegate” scandal, in which Christie aides plotted to stall George Washington bridge traffic in Fort Lee New Jersey to punish the town’s mayor for failing to endorse Christie’s re-election. No evidence has shown that Christie knew of their actions.
Other GOP candidates “haven’t been tested by the most liberal, largest media market in America,” Christie said. “They haven’t been tested by attacks from the media just because you’re a successful, conservative Republican in a blue state.”
“The old truck that they thought they stuck in the mud, got out of the mud,” Christie said, noting his increased standing in the race.
The governor has gained confidence as polls show him rising in New Hampshire, where he has focused resources. Christie is currently fifth in the Washington Examiner‘s presidential power rankings.
