Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Sunday said the “most amazing” part of last week’s Republican primary debate was that most of his 2024 rivals said they would support Donald Trump as the nominee despite the former president’s conviction.
Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson were the only presidential candidates on stage who did not raise their hands when asked if they would support Trump, 77, if convicted during Wednesday’s debate.
“The most amazing part of the debate, to me, is the idea that the majority of my competitors believe that you can have a convicted felon as our presidential candidate and they support him and he can win,” Christie told ABC News’ “This Week.”
To make the debate stage on August 23, candidates are required to sign a pledge to support the eventual candidate.
Eight Republican 2024 challengers made the debate stage last Wednesday.AP
Christie signed the pledge, but previously said he would take it “just as seriously as Donald Trump took the pledge in 2016” — in other words, maybe not as seriously.
“We can’t have a convicted felon as our presidential candidate and expect us to win,” Christie added on “This Week.”
Since launching his campaign in June, Christie has established himself as Trump’s unabashed attack dog.
Donald Trump has taken a mug shot with his alleged conspirators. via REUTERS
Chris Christie, a friend of Donald Trump, has spoken out about the former president’s behavior.
In place of Trump, who skipped the first debate, many speculated that Christie might join Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was the next top pollster. Instead, Christie vilified entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
“If there’s something someone says that I disagree with drastically, and I have the opportunity to do so, I’ll do it like you’ve seen me do with Vivek on several occasions,” Christie explained. “DeSantis’ answer that night, while some of them may disagree, I don’t think it rose to the level of having to go back and forth with him.”
At times, Christie was showered with jeers from the audience, including during a high-profile clash with Ramaswamy, who became a political bully for the candidate on stage.
Audience members cheer during the first Republican debate on August 23. MIKE DESISTI/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Christie later reprimanded the moderators for allowing verbal fights to turn into chaos and occasional shouting matches.
Trump faces 91 charges including four counts of alleged “hush money” payments, hiding classified documents, 2020 election subversion and Georgia election interference.
He has denied wrongdoing across the board, pleaded not guilty to the first three cases pending against him, and he is set to stand trial in the Georgia case next month.
Protesters rally in support of impeachment against Donald Trump.AP
Donald Trump has denounced the allegations against him as meddling in the 2020 election.serinc
Noting Trump’s legal woes, Christie issued a warning to Republican voters who believe Hunter Biden’s legal dangers could overshadow Trump.
“You know, some voters who say those things are important Hunter Biden things but Donald Trump is not — that’s wishful thinking,” Christie said.
“The fact is that the two people who will be on the ballot if we nominate Donald Trump, are Donald Trump and Joe Biden, not Hunter Biden,” he continued. “Trump was released on bail in four different jurisdictions in the country.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
