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Continued From Page 26 occur until the Democrat ’ s last year in office . Christie predicted the state ’ s financial woes will hit in 2025 or 2026 .
The crisis could open the door for a Republican gubernatorial candidate . Jack Ciattarelli , a former assemblyman who made the Democrats sweat when he came within 3 points of unseating Murphy , was in the audience for Christie ’ s talk and the former governor gave him a few shout-outs . Christie said he was on the phone with Ciattarelli late into the night on Election Day 2021 .
Ciattarelli was winning on the voting machine tallies . But his lead was wiped out when the vote by mail numbers came in from Democratic strongholds , like Camden , Hudson , and Essex counties . There ’ s a lesson there for the GOP , Christie said . “ If we don ’ t get better at vote by mail , we ’ re not going to win another election ,” he asserted . “ There ’ s nothing inherently wrong or crooked about vote by mail . It ’ s always been here , it just got easier to do now .”
True to form , Christie recommended that the next Republican candidate for governor be bold . “ You don ’ t ever win by being timid ,” he said , adding , “ You ’ ve got grab them by the lapels and give them a reason to vote for you .”
Despite the lopsided voter registration numbers , Christie believes Republicans can bring home a win in New Jersey . “ I ’ m not pessimistic about the party . It ’ s a challenge . You ’ ve got to be tough ; you ’ ve got to be bold . That ’ s what New Jersey is .”
He would advise the GOP to run on a platform of tax cuts . Christie was flabbergasted by the $ 9 billion surplus in Murphy ’ s budget . “ That should be going back to everybody . But who is saying that ?” the former governor asked . “ You have to draw a distinction between you and the person you ’ re trying to beat .”
Christie built his career on a tough-talking , in-your-face style and personality . When he was sizing up the current likely candidates in the Republican presidential field , he discounted Mike Pence , Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo as contenders to unseat Donald Trump as the party ’ s front-runner because they were part of the former president ’ s administration . But when Anthony Russo asked if Christie would be better taking on Trump , the former governor ’ s one word reply of “ maybe ” elicited an uproar from the audience .
Christie ’ s first presidential campaign in 2016 was brief lived . Ultimately , he endorsed Trump and even coached him in debate preparations . But since the Jan . 6 riot on Capitol Hill , Christie has denounced Trump . At the CIANJ event the ex-governor shared his view of the national political scene . From his perspective , independent voters feel “ shafted ” by President Joseph Biden because he campaigned as a moderate , only to govern as a liberal in the model of Franklin Delano Roosevelt . Independent voter support
is key to success . But Christie said Trump ’ s approval rating among independents is in the basement . The dilemma is that Trump ’ s poor standing makes him a loser in a national election , despite being a front runner for the GOP nomination . “ If the primary were held today , he would be the nominee ,” Christie lamented .
In 2016 , Christie dropped out after a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary . He gave the CIANJ audience a taste of his campaign days , recalling “ waking up for the 48th morning at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manchester and realizing it ’ s 18 degrees and you ’ re going to the same 10 places .” To build support , he explained , candidates are expected to go to “ house parties ,” where there might be only 25 people and the hosts expect you to come to their homes multiple times before giving an endorsement .
On the flip side , Christie said there were “ magical moments .” One poignant memory was when he stood among a room full of supporters holding “ Christie for President ” placards , while they all recited the Pledge of Allegiance in a New Hampshire town hall built in the 18th Century .
All this factors into Christie ’ s decision-making . Along with “ the singular delight of running against Donald Trump ,” he said . The former governor knows it would be a slugfest . “ I honestly believe there is only one way to win . You have to kill him because he continues to come back , because he is a vampire .”
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