Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Sunday that the “most surprising” part of last week’s Republican primary debate was that most of his 2024 rivals said they would back Donald Trump as a candidate even if the former president he is found guilty.
Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson were the only presidential hopefuls onstage who did not raise their hands when asked if they would support Trump, 77, in the event of a conviction during Wednesday’s debate.
“The most surprising part of the debate to me was the idea that most of my competitors believe that you can have a convicted felon as our candidate for president and they support that and he could win,” Christie told ABC News. “This week.”
In order to make it to the debate stage on August 23, the hopefuls had to sign a pledge pledging to support the eventual nominee.
Eight 2024 Republican contenders took the debate stage last Wednesday.AP
Christie signed the pledge, but previously warned that he would take it “as seriously as Donald Trump took the pledge in 2016”; in other words, probably not very seriously.
“We can’t have a convicted felon running for president and expect us to win,” Christie added on “This Week.”
Since launching his campaign in June, Christie has portrayed himself as a brash attack dog for Trump.
Donald Trump was photographed in a mugshot along with his alleged accomplices. via REUTERS
Chris Christie, a friend of Donald Trump, has insisted on the conduct of the former president.
Instead of Trump, who skipped the first debate, many speculated that Christie could hold on to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is the next highest contender in the polls. Instead, Christie attacked businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.
“If there’s something that someone says that I strongly object to, and I get a chance to do it, I’ll do it like you’ve seen me do with Vivek on a number of occasions,” Christie explained. “DeSantis’ responses that night, even though some of them might disagree, I didn’t think they got to the level of having to argue with him.”
At times, Christie was booed by those in attendance, including during a high-profile confrontation with Ramaswamy, who became a political punching bag for the candidate on stage.
Audience members applaud during the first Republican debate on August 23. MIKE DESISTI/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Christie later criticized the moderators for allowing the verbal fight to escalate into chaos, and at times, shouting matches.
Trump faces 91 counts spanning four counts of alleged “hush money” payments, hoarding of classified documents, 2020 election subversion and rigging of the Georgia election.
He has denied wrongdoing across the board, has pleaded not guilty to the first three cases pending against him, and is set to be arraigned in the Georgia case next month.
Protesters demonstrate in support of the accusations against Donald Trump.AP
Donald Trump has denounced the accusations against him as interference in the 2020 elections.serinc
Noting Trump’s legal woes, Christie’s issued a warning to Republican voters who believe Hunter Biden’s legal dangers could dwarf Trump’s.
“You know, some of those voters who say that say that the Hunter Biden thing matters, but the Donald Trump thing doesn’t; that’s just wishful thinking,” Christie said.
“The fact is that the two people who would be on the ballot if we were to nominate Donald Trump will be Donald Trump and Joe Biden, not Hunter Biden,” he continued. “Trump is out on bail in four different jurisdictions in this country.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn