Chris Christie, the former Republican governor of New Jersey and a longtime critic of President Trump, received backlash from his co-hosts on “The View” after he declared that he would not vote for either former President Donald Trump or President Joe Biden.
Following President Trump’s selection of J.D. Vance as his running mate and his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night, Christie argued Friday that the former Republican president missed out on “an opportunity for unity” and that he could have chosen someone like Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin for vice president.
“I know you’re not voting for Trump, but are you going to vote for the Democratic candidate?” co-host Ana Navarro asked shortly after.
“Right now I’m not voting for either of them. I just can’t do it. One of them is completely mentally unable to do his job,” Christie replied, to the indignation of the hosts.
“But you have to vote!” co-host Joy Behar insisted.
“No, I’m voting no. I don’t have to vote. [for president]”No!” Christie stood her ground, while one of her co-hosts could be heard saying, “Yes, she is.”
“You can’t waste your vote! We asked you on the last show, are you not participating this time?” co-host Sunny Hostin interrupted him.
Navarro grilled Christie, saying it was ironic that he was telling Democrats to abandon the current presidential candidate when he himself had no intention of voting for either candidate.
The former governor said he would maintain his position as long as Biden remains the Democratic nominee, but could change his mind if a better candidate emerged.
“I’m open to considering anyone who presents themselves as someone who will make our country better, and so far I’m not encouraged by Kamala Harris’ track record so far,” he said.
When Hostin asked him why he’s not a fan of Harris, he responded: “‘Why not?’ I only have a minute and 30 seconds. I don’t have enough time.”
Hostin has long been one of Harris’ strongest defenders, arguing that Harris has been criticized because of her black background and because she is a woman, and that her oft-parodied verbal gags are actually a product of her legal background, rather than gaffes.
After Christie declared that the Biden-Harris combination could not win the November election, Behar asked if he would be willing to vote for the Harris-Josh Shapiro combination, which would feature the more moderate Pennsylvania governor as vice president.
“I don’t know. I’ll hear what they say,” he said.
When multiple hosts challenged this answer, he declared, “I’m sorry people care about what they support. I apologize. I’m not going to make any pre-commitments! Let them perform and earn my vote! People should earn their vote!”
When Behar insisted that she would definitely vote for Biden the next time they met, Christie joked, “Joy, I’m voting for you. I’ll write your name down!”
