The centrist group No Labels has reached out to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who dropped his bid for the Republican presidential nomination this week, to discuss a possible role in a bipartisan third-party presidential race. It is said that
Christie's political associates confirmed to Fox News that they had support from No Labels, but the organization has not had any actual conversations with the former governor since suspending his presidential campaign on Wednesday. He admitted that he had not done so.
Christie's campaign manager, Maria Comella, said Thursday that “neither the governor nor anyone associated with his campaign has had any conversations with No Labels.”
Former Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, his 2000 vice presidential candidate and founding co-chair of No Labels, said in a radio interview after Mr. Christie ended his White House bid that Mr. Regarding the group's proposal, he said, “This could be a very strong candidate.'' Unity ticket. ”
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Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie announced Wednesday that he is withdrawing from the race during a campaign event at City Hall in Windham, New Hampshire. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bucati)
Christie, a longtime ally and vocal Republican critic of former President Donald Trump, began his second bid for the Republican nomination in June.
Asked in a July interview if he would consider joining the No Label ticket, Christie dismissed the idea: “I think it would be a fool's errand.”
“I'm not in this activity for Showtime. I'm not in this activity to make a point. I'm not in this activity to get elected President of the United States.” “But only two people can be elected president of the United States: the Republican presidential candidate and the Democratic presidential candidate,” Christie said in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's “This Week” at the time. Told.
Lieberman said Thursday in an interview with Michael Smerconish on Sirius He said the world probably looks different to him now.”
“I would like to reach out to him and see if Governor Christie has any interest in getting on the bipartisan No Labels Unity ticket this year. He could be a very strong candidate. Yes,” Lieberman added.
Lieberman described Christie as “refreshing and independent,” and said he could be potential material for No Labels. “That's the kind of candidate No Labels is looking for. ” he added.
No Labels said it will pull the trigger on whether to sell presidential tickets in March after Super Tuesday, when many states will hold nominating contests.
Mr. Trump is a strong front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, and many political commentators believe that third-party tickets provided by No Labels could benefit Mr. Trump in his rematch with President Biden, scheduled for this November. It is claimed that it only brings about
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There was also a chorus of Democrats warning that unlabeled tickets could pave the way for Trump to win next year's election.
No Labels disputes that criticism and has repeatedly pushed back on such notions.
“That's not our goal here,” Lieberman told Fox News Digital last year. “Ours is not a choice between President Trump and President Biden.”
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie speaks to voters at City Hall in Hollis, New Hampshire, on January 4, 2024. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Mr. Christie's political allies seemed skeptical when asked about the former governor joining a no-label ticket. And they pointed to Christie's comments Wednesday when he withdrew from the race.
“I want to promise you this: I will never allow Donald Trump to become president of the United States again, and that is more important than my own personal ambitions,” Christie said, interrupting his speech. emphasized. motion.
“Even if I stop this campaign, I won't disappear and my voice won't disappear,” he added.
“I'm not going to be part of the generation that happily stands by and says, 'It's too hard. He's too loud, he's too strong,'” Christie said of Trump.
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