Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie dropped out of the 2024 Republican presidential race on Wednesday, but not before getting caught on a hot mic criticizing rival Nikki Haley as “not up to it” and mocking the Florida governor. , Ron DeSantis, calling him “petrified.” “
Moments before Christie, 61, announced at a town hall in Windham, NH, that he was suspending his campaign, The Post heard him in a video promoted by his campaign complain about the state of the race.
“So far she’s spent $68 million on television alone,” Christie said of Haley before the video was taken offline, later adding that DeSantis had spent “$59 million… and we’ve spent 12.”
“Who is exceeding their capabilities and who is getting a return on their investment?” Christie continued. “You know, and they’re going to smoke her. And you and I know, she’s not up to it.
Seemingly unaware that anyone waiting for him to take the stage could hear him, Christie added that “DeSantis called me petrified because I would do it,” apparently referencing dropping out of the race, before another person said, “He’ll probably come out later.” of Iowa.”
DeSantis called Christie shortly before his announcement to thank him for participating in the 2024 campaign, a source familiar with the exchange told The Post.
Then, the source added, Christie complained about Haley again, telling DeSantis that she was a “joke,” that she had “acted terribly” and that she was “not up to the task.”
Chris Christie withdraws from the 2024 presidential race. AP
DeSantis responded to the uproar by tweeting shortly before taking the stage in Iowa to debate Haley face-to-face: “I agree with Christie that Nikki Haley ‘is going to get smoked.’”
The Garden Stater attempted to present himself as the best choice to take on former President Donald Trump, calling him unfit for office, admitting he made a mistake by endorsing Trump in 2016, and accusing Haley and DeSantis of actually positioning themselves to run for president. in 2028, given his reluctance to criticize the favorite for the nomination.
On the Windham stage, Christie mentioned recent Trump supporters Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and Sen. John Barasso (R-Wyo.), saying “they know better” and “I know they know better.” ”.
“From the moment I entered the race, the decision I made was really simple: I would rather lose by telling the truth than lie to win,” Christie said. “And today I don’t feel any different.”
Christie predicted that Haley would “get smoked” when he was caught in front of a hot microphone on Wednesday. AP
“I have always said that if there came a time in this career where I couldn’t see a path to [win the nomination] that would come out,” he added. “And it is clear to me tonight that there is no path to winning the nomination, which is why I am suspending my campaign tonight for president of the United States.”
Christie launched some final comments against his rivals, criticizing DeSantis for waiting to volunteer during the first primary debate in August saying he would support Trump if the former president is the Republican nominee and is convicted in one of the four criminal cases pending in his against. .
“I give Ron credit, he had to look at everyone else first to see if they wanted to raise their hand,” Christie said to laughter from the audience. “But then he raised his hand, kind of like copying someone’s work in high school.”
Christie said he would leave the campaign Wednesday in New Hampshire. REUTERS
As for Haley, Christie referenced a mistake she made at a New Hampshire town hall last month when she failed to mention an important reason for the Civil War.
Referring to Benjamin Franklin’s famous warning that the United States is “a republic, if you can keep it,” the now-former candidate said those words “were never more relevant in America than they are now.
“The last time they were this relevant was the Civil War, which of course we know was caused by slavery,” Christie added to more polite laughter.
Christie garnered 12% support in New Hampshire behind Haley. CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Despite doing everything but declaring himself a New Hampshire resident, the Granite State’s RealClearPolitics polling average showed Christie in a distant third place with 12% support, behind Trump (43%) and Haley (29.3 %).
“President Trump has already defeated eight rivals before a single vote has been cast because Republican voters want a strong leader who will restart our economy, secure our border, make America energy independent again, and provide for our families. safe,” Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again Inc., said in response to Christie’s announcement.
Trump himself also reacted on Truth Social, posting: “I heard Chris Christie is dropping out of the race today – I might even like him again!”
Christie had resisted pressure to drop out of the race in recent days as polls showed Haley, 51, gaining support both in New Hampshire and across the country as the Republican alternative to Trump, 77.
“Why do we think she would beat him? She’s not trying to beat him,” Christie said Tuesday during a public meeting in Rochester, NH. “Let’s say I dropped out of the race right now and supported Nikki Haley.
“And then three months from now, four months from now, when you’re ready to go to the convention, she’ll declare herself your vice president. How will I look? What will all the people who supported her be like under my command?
With Christie now out of the race, and with the backing of popular New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu behind Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations appears set to drum up more support ahead of the first election on the 23rd. from January. -primary nation.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn