Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie withdrew from the 2024 Republican presidential race on Wednesday, but not before slamming rival Nikki Haley, saying “I can't stand this.”Florida Gov. Ron He was caught on a hot mic mocking DeSantis by calling him “petrified.” ”
Just before Mr. Christie, 61, announced he was canceling his campaign at a town hall in Windham, New Hampshire, the paper heard him complaining about the state of the race on a video feed promoted by his campaign.
“She's spent $68 million so far on TV alone,” Christie said of Haley before the video was leaked offline, later adding that DeSantis “spent $59 million…and we spent $12.” Ta.
“Who's punching above their weight and who's getting a return on their investment?” Christie continued. “You know what? And she's going to get smoked. And you and I both know that, she's not going to do that.”
Christie apparently didn't know that her voice could be heard by people waiting for her to take the stage, adding, “DeSantis called me because he was scared it was going to happen to him.” mentioned dropping out of the race, and another person said, “He'll probably drop out after Iowa.”
Mr. DeSantis called Mr. Christie shortly before the announcement to thank him for joining the 2024 campaign, a person familiar with the exchange told the Post.
Christie then complained again about Haley, telling DeSantis that she was a “joke,” had a “terrible performance” and was “not up to the task,” the source added.
Garden Stater tried to make himself the best choice upon Former President Donald Trump has called him unfit for office and admitted he made a mistake supporting him in 2016, and Haley and DeSantis have been reluctant to criticize the likely favorite. Based on this fact, he accused him of intending to run for president in 2028. name.
Speaking from the Windham podium, Mr. Christie mentioned recent Trump supporters, Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), by name, saying, “They know better.'' “I know they know better.”
“From the moment I entered the race, my decision was pretty simple: I'd rather tell the truth and lose than lie to win,” Christie said. “And I feel no different today.”
“I've always said, if there's a point in this race where I don't see a path forward, [win the nomination] I wanted to get out,” he added. “And tonight it is clear that there is no path for me to win the nomination. Therefore, tonight I am suspending my campaign for President of the United States.”
Mr. Christie bid farewell to his rivals and told Mr. DeSantis, who was waiting to volunteer for the first primary debate in August, if the former president is a Republican candidate and has four pending criminal cases. He hinted that he would support Trump if he was convicted of one of the charges. .
“I give Ron credit; he had to look at the others first to see if they would raise their hands,” Christie said, and the audience laughed. “But then he raised his hand. It was like cheating on someone's paper in high school.”
Turning to Haley, Christie addressed her gaffe at a New Hampshire town hall last month when she failed to mention one of the major reasons for the Civil War.
Referring to Benjamin Franklin's famous admonition that America is “a republic if we keep it,” the former candidate said those words “never meant more to America than they do now.”
“The last time it was this relevant was the Civil War, and of course we know it was because of slavery,” Christie added with a polite laugh.
Even though she stopped short of declaring herself a New Hampshire resident, RealClearPolitics' average Granite State poll showed Christie's approval rating at 12%, ahead of former Trump (43%) and Haley (43%). 29.3%).
Christie has withdrawn from the race in recent days as polls show Haley, 51, gaining support both in New Hampshire and nationally as the Republican candidate to replace Trump, 77. He was resisting that pressure.
With Christie now out of the race and Haley backed by the support of popular New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu, the former U.N. ambassador has more on the line for the Jan. 23 first round. appears to be ready to gather support. -National primaries.
