NASHUA, N.H. — Chris Christie looked to build momentum Monday with less than 24 hours until the New Hampshire primary with another full-course day of retail politicking as he tries to sway undecided voters to his side while keeping up his assault on Sen. Marco Rubio after Saturday’s debate.
Christie, who is trying to break away from Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, continued to focus on Rubio, telling a crowd of 200 in Hudson that the GOP cannot nominate someone who “melts,” pointing to the Florida senator, who he called “robotic” on Sunday.
“When the lights get that bright, you either shine or you melt. We cannot afford to have a president that melts. At the key moment, we cannot afford a president who can’t stand up,” said Christie, adding later that “you can’t fake it any longer.”
“If you’re memorizing answers that people told you to memorize, and all you do is repeat them over and over again no matter what the other person says. You can’t do that with Vladimir Putin sitting across the table from you,” Christie continued. “Can you imagine if that scene happened with Vladimir Putin sitting across the table? And you just keep saying the same thing over and over again no matter what Vladimir Putin says? Guess what — those are the stakes. This isn’t a dress rehearsal.”
Multiple attendees indicated afterwards that their choice on Tuesday had indeed narrowed Christie and Rubio, with them looking favorably upon Christie — especially after Saturday’s performance.
“I’ve always liked [Christie], but I’ve been struggling between Rubio and [Christie/Kasich],” said Jim Graczyk, 68, from neighboring Atkinson. “I think I’m probably leaning his way now because he does definitely gives you a direct answer … I’m thinking maybe he can take Hillary on better than Rubio or Kasich.”
Graczyk also said that heading into Saturday’s debate, he was leaning toward voting for the Florida senator, but the debate helped sway his opinion. However, his mind still isn’t made up.
“A little bit, yeah it did. I’m still probably going to step into that voting booth and maybe still have some uncertainty. We have good candidates,” Graczyk continued. “Christie wasn’t on the top of my list until today, I’m going to have to go think about it.”
“I’m between Rubio and Gov. Christie. I think I have two good choices. I like them both. I’ll do something before I vote tomorrow and I’ll make a decision,” said Rich Ray, 69, from Atkinson, who indicated he’s seen both candidates multiple times. “I really am [torn]. If I had to vote when I got to the door today, I’d have probably voted for Gov. Christie … but we’ll see what happens.
Despite his Rubio critique, Christie aimed some of his fire at Hillary Clinton’s campaign after former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said Saturday there is a “special place in hell” for women who do not support the presidential candidate. Christie told an attendee in Hudson that he expects the Clinton campaign to sideline her after the comment.
“This is an inherent falsehood of the liberal philosophy. They believe that you should vote for Hillary Clinton — not only that you should vote for her, but that there’s a special place in hell for you if you don’t,” Christie told a young woman during his first stop. “I bet you that’s the last time she’s going to be out on the campaign trail for her … maybe let Madeleine go back to studying, writing books or whatever.”
The governor was also confronted by some who stood opposed to the governor’s work back home. Outside his Hampstead event, Christie and his supporters were greeted by a gaggle of protestors from the New Jersey Amalgamated Transit Union, who chanted “Chris Christie — bad for New Jersey, bad for you,” “resign now,” adding that he should “sit down and shut up.”
Kicking off his Hampstead town hall, which saw many hopeful attendees turned away, the governor gave a shout out to the protestors, telling attendees wanted to convey “how much I appreciate the people outside the window.”
“I haven’t been home to New Jersey for nearly two weeks now,” Christie said, noting that he went home for the massive snowstorm that hit the mid-Atlantic recently, “and I miss my people so much. So I am so glad they sent some of my favorite Democrats up here to give me a hard time. I love it. It makes me feel right at home.”
Christie was set for two more town hall events in the Granite State on Monday before Tuesday’s election, when he is set to make six public appearances, including at his victory party in Nashua.
