Tell It Like It Is: Tonight’s Debate Was Vintage Chris Christie
ARLINGTON, VA — Bill Palatucci, Chairman of Tell It Like It Is PAC, issued the following statement on tonight’s Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee:
“Tonight Republican voters witnessed a vintage performance by Chris Christie. He was direct, authentic, true-to-himself and told it like it is. Unlike some of the other candidates, he is offering a clear rationale for his candidacy: our party deserves better than Donald Trump and our country cannot afford Joe Biden. Having governed in the toughest of political terrain, Chris Christie has an unmatched record of success, from taking on the teachers’ unions to cutting taxes and cleaning up one of America’s most dangerous cities. There’s a reason the last two polls put the Governor in second place in New Hampshire. It would be a mistake to ever underestimate him.”
Below is a sampling of what others are saying about Chris Christie’s debate performance:
Tim Carney, The Washington Examiner: "Whether or not you think the criminal charges are right or wrong, the conduct is beneath the office of the President of the United States." Amen, Chris Christie.
Clay Travis: That was a phenomenal answer from Chris Christie to the UFO question. I guarantee no one prepped for that. On his feet, fantastic pivot. Probably his best moment of the night.
Rich Lowry: …Christie and had some tremendous answers
Geraldo Rivera: Chris Christie ended Vivek Ramaswamy’s budding candidacy with his devastating “ChatGPT” crack.
James Hohmann, The Washington Post: …Chris Christie scored a Marco Roboto style hit when he turned that Obama line back on him like jujitsu.
Hugh Hewitt: Did not see the Vivek=Barack knock coming. I expect more of that from @ChrisChristie going forward.
Republicans Against Trump: Chris Christie SMASHED Vivek Ramaswamy. Now you understand why Donald Trump didn't want to show up to the debate.
Former U.S. Representative Nan Hayworth (R-NY): Governor Christie showing superb form--in terms of pure ability, he's the debater to beat tonight. I'm expecting Vivek Ramaswamy to have a strong debate performance as well--both he and Christie are very fast on their feet.
Comfortably Smug: Oh my God Christie struck
Josh Holmes: Christie just wrecked Vivek. Devastating.
Republican Accountability: Chris Christie goes after Vivek Ramaswamy: "I've had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT standing up here."
Chris Crawford, Protect Democracy: Part of what was impressive about this answer: Christie connected Vivek's line about being a "skinny guy with a funny name" to a 2004 speech by Obama and hit him over the head with it. [quote tweet]
Marty Kady, The Messenger Politics Editor: Ok this was the funniest moment of the debate. Christie had this one in his pocket: [link]
Andrew Egger, The Dispatch: Vivek's cocky persona can be an asset on the campaign trail and an asset on cable news, but for my money it hasn't done him favors so far tonight. Christie got big applause taking him down a peg
Andrew Clark: Great answer from Chris Christie on fighting urban crime by instructing US Attorneys to prosecute criminals when local prosecutors refuse. Nationalizes what is largely a local and state issue with an executive solution. #GOPDebate
Frank Luntz: Chris Christie’s response on prosecuting crime generated applause across the crowd – and not just with his own supporters. #GOPDebate
Republicans Against Trump: Chris Christie SLAMS Donald Trump: “Someone has to stop normalizing this conduct.” #GOPDebate [clip]
Republican Accountability: Chris Christie: "Someone has to stop normalizing this conduct. Whether or not you believe the criminal charges are right or wrong, the conduct is beneath the office of President of the United States.”
Republicans Against Trump: Kudos to Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson who refused to pledge they’d support Trump for president if he’s the Republican nominee. #GOPDebate
