2024 Presidential Campaign Blog

Release: Christie’s Debate Performance Widely Praised

Christie’s Debate Performance Widely Praised

‘A fantastic debater’... ‘Addressed Trump directly’...' ‘Trump’s most outspoken critic, took him to task again’...’ Christie appeared comfortable on the stage’...

A Quick Second-Debate Scorecard
“Christie remains a fantastic debater, and as usual he had some sparkling and funny moments, including telling Ramaswamy to put his hand down. He hit Trump harder than anyone else did, including a fine riff during which he looked into the camera and told Trump he knew Trump was watching. He did a compelling job of explaining the inextricable nature of the alliance between China, Russia, and Iran.”

Christie Addressed Trump Directly
“Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie has a new name for former president Donald Trump based on his absence from the GOP debate stage: Donald Duck. The quip by Christie was among an onslaught of attacks that Christie…lobbed at Trump… ‘Donald Trump should be here to answer for that, but he’s not,’ Christie said responding to a question about crime. He then looked into the camera and addressed Trump directly, saying the former president couldn’t help himself but to watch.”

6 Key Takeaways From The Second Republican Debate Of 2023
“Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Trump’s most outspoken critic, took him to task again for failing to finish the border wall and for adding debt. Later, he looked into the camera and spoke to Trump: ‘Donald, I know you’re watching. You can’t help yourself. ... You’re not here tonight because you’re afraid to be on this stage and defending your record. You keep doing that, nobody up here’s gonna keep calling you Donald Trump; we’re gonna call you Donald Duck.’ Soon, ‘Donald Duck’ was trending on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.”

Former NJ Gov. Chris Christie Comes Out On The Attack In Second Republican Debate
“Christie appeared comfortable on the stage, leaning on his podium and spent much of the night on the attack. When asked about the possibility of a government shutdown, Christie didn’t spare either party.”

Release: “Chris Christie Is Again The Debate's Straight Talker” Statement from TILII PAC Chair Bill Palatucci

“Chris Christie Is Again The Debate's Straight Talker” Statement from TILII PAC Chair Bill Palatucci

ARLINGTON, VA — Bill Palatucci, Chairman of Tell It Like It Is PAC, issued the following statement after the second Republican presidential debate held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute:

“Once again, Chris Christie was the only candidate on the debate stage willing to answer every question - directly and without putting his finger in the air to test the political winds. The Governor is the only candidate tonight warning Republicans of the pending electoral disaster next November if we nominate the former President with his four indictments, distractions and drama. Can't wait to see him with President Trump on the debate stage in Miami on November 8th."

Below is a sampling of what others are saying about Chris Christie’s debate performance:

Robert Doar, President of AEI: Best answer of the night so far from @ChrisChristie

Rich Lowry, National Review: Finally someone hits Trump for not showing up

Ellen Carmichael: Reagan Library explodes in applause when Christie calls out Trump for not being on the stage tonight.

Rebeccah Heinrichs, Hudson Institute: Chris Christie is right on Russia-China.

Heath Mayo, Principles First: Chris Christie with the best answer of the night in my book—on foreign policy. Vision, passion, strategy and courage, all in one. Weaken the Sino-Russian alliance on all fronts. An answer worthy of Reagan’s shadow.

Frank Luntz: Chris Christie is clearly appealing to the ‘peace through strength’ crowd. And his straight-to-camera appeal makes it powerful. #GOPDebate

Ellen Carmichael: Say what you will about Chris Christie, he's unafraid of anyone or anything.

S.E. Cupp: "This public school system is no longer run by the public, it's run by the teachers unions." -- Chris Christie #GOPDebate

Townhall: Chris Christie slams Joe Biden for "sleeping with a member of a teacher's union."

Republicans Against Trump: “You’re not here tonight because you're afraid to defend your record. You’re ducking…We’re going to call you Donald Duck.”

Philip Wegmann, RealClearPolitics: Chris Christie says when "we have the president of the United States sleeping with a member of the teachers union" the White House is advocating "every day for the worst of their teachers."

Hugo Lowell, The Guardian: Chris Christie with the best answer of the night — degrading Russia’s military thru Ukraine aid bc Putin wants to bring back the Soviet Union

Heath Mayo, Principles First: Chris Christie has the most presidential moments of anyone on the stage. By far. That answer on being pro-life for the whole life was presidential.

Philip Wegmann, RealClearPolitics: "If you're pro life, you've gotta be pro-life for the entire life," Christie says citing need to care also for the "drug-addicted 16 year-old on the floor of the county lockup."

Geraldo Rivera: Chris Christie is toughest, best vs Trump…

If you liked what you saw tonight, make sure to make a donation of just $1 to keep Chris Christie on the debate stage in Miami on November 8. He’s the only candidate unafraid to tell the truth and hold Trump accountable.

Release: Tell It Like It Is: Tonight’s Debate Was Vintage Chris Christie

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

Chris Christie for President 2024 Website, June 6, 2023