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Chris Christie 2016 presidential campaign

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Chris Christie for President, Inc.
CampaignU.S. presidential election, 2016
CandidateChris Christie
Governor of New Jersey (2010–present)
AffiliationRepublican Party
StatusAnnounced June 30, 2015
HeadquartersP.O. Box 225
Colonia, New Jersey
SloganTelling it like it is
Website
https://www.chrischristie.com/

The 2016 presidential campaign of Chris Christie, the 55th Governor of New Jersey, began on June 30, 2015 at an event in his hometown of Livingston, New Jersey.[1]

Background

Some political commentators view Christie as a leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.[2][3][4] According to polls conducted after the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal, which began in September 2013, Christie sustained a substantial erosion in his political standing and his 2016 presidential campaign prospects, and polls show him behind Hillary Clinton in general election polling.[5][6][7][8][9]

In an interview on Fox News on March 31, 2014, Christie stated that he is still in "decision-making process" regarding a possible run in 2016, and forwarded the names of Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, and Paul Ryan as his top three GOP candidate choices.[10]

2012 presidential election, Romney, convention

Christie contemplated running for president in the 2012 election, but ultimately declined to do so. He was vetted, but not chosen, by Mitt Romney as potential vice-presidential candidate.The Romney campaign was reported to have asked him to resign his governorship if he became the vice-presidential nominee because "pay to play" laws restrict campaign contributions from financial corporation executives to governors running for federal office when the companies do business with the governor's state.[11] A memo from the campaign attributed Romney's decision not to choose Christie as his running mate, in part to unanswered questions during the vetting process regarding a defamation lawsuit following Christie's initial campaign for Morris County Freeholder, a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of Christie's brother, as well as his weight.[12][13] Christie gave the keynote address at the 2012 Republican National Convention.[14]

Republican Governors Association

On November 21, 2013, Christie was elected Chairman of the Republican Governors Association[15] Christie campaigned extensively on behalf of Republican governors who are up for re-election.[16] The association raised $117million during his chairmanship. The largest donors were Koch industries and David H. Koch, which together gave $3.5million, and Sheldon Adelson, who donated $3.5million.[17]

Political action committees

The political action committee Leadership Matters was launched January 25, 2015.[18] in order to raise funds and set the groundwork for what Time magazine called "a likely 2016 presidential campaign".[19][20] The America Leads super PAC, headed by Phil Cox, was registered with the Federal Election Commission on Feb. 23, 2015.[21][22] As of mid-July the latter had raised $11million.[23]

Campaign launch

Christie formally launched his 2016 presidential campaign on June 30, 2015 at his high school in Livingston, New Jersey.[24] He previously launched his campaign website on June 27.[25] At the announcement he said both political parties "have failed our country" in an announcement speech calling for more compromise in politics.[26] "I am now ready to fight for the people," Christie said in his announcement speech. "I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Republican nomination for the presidency of the United States of America."[27]

Christie began his campaign with a stop in Maine where he met with Maine Governor Paul LePage, who is the first sitting Republican governor to offer an endorsement for any of the party’s 2016 presidential candidates. Calling LePage’s endorsement an honor, Christie said, “To receive an endorsement from someone who knows what it’s like to run a blue state, who knows what it’s like to make tough decisions, who knows what it’s like to engage in hand-to-hand combat to try to get things done for the people who elect you – to get an endorsement from Paul LePage today is an incredible honor."[28]

New Jersey State Police security detail

Christie has said that his campaign will not reimburse the state for the tax-payer funded New Jersey State Police security detail which travels with him on campaign trips.[29][30]

Between 2010–2014, the state police billed the state $1million. There have also been more than $800,000 in credit-card expenses related to political and private trips made by the governor,[31][32][33] which the administration has refused to make public.[34][35] Costs to taxpayers for the first quarter of 2015 were $185,000.[36][37]

“We’re going to continue to conduct this in the same way I’ve always conducted it,” Christie said. New Jerseyeans are overwhelmingly opposed to paying for the Executive Protection Unit for Christie's campaign.[38]

Christie regularly makes use of the state police helicopter for official and unofficial business, for which his campaign partially reimburses the state.[39][40]

The New Jersey Senate is considering a bill which would require reimbursement of "expenses incurred for travel, food, lodging, security, or any other purposes not directly related to the Governor's regular and official duties as Governor" when traveling out of state to engage in political activities.[41][42][43] Christie and his campaign are being sued by three advocacy organisations (New Jersey Citizen Action, New Jersey Families Alliance and BlueWaveNJ) as well as several New Jersey residents who cite his absenteeism from the governorship and misuse of funds.[44]

Debates

Polling has created uncertainty about Christie qualifying for participation in the jointly sponsored Fox News-Facebook Republican Party presidential debate, the first of the election cycle, on August 6, 2015, which allows for the 10 highest-polling politicians to participate.[45][46][47][48] Christie claimed he would qualify.[49] The methodology used for inclusion is not known.[50] Christie placed ninth in the polls, qualifying for a place.[51]

Chirstie's average standing in polls conducted since the debate will likely permit him to participate in the main stage CNN in September.[52] Christie ranked 10th in qualifying polls.[53]

Positions

Social Security and Medicare

In a speech at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics on April 14, 2015, Christie proposed significant reforms to federal benefit programs. The proposals included reductions of Social Security benefits for high-income seniors, an expansion of means testing for Medicare recipients, and an increase in the eligibility age for Social Security and Medicare.[54] Christie indicated that his proposals would not affect existing retirees or those close to retirement.[55]

Supreme Court justices

In response to the 2015 Supreme Court rulings regarding the Affordable Health Care Act (King v. Burwell) and same-sex marriage in the United States (Obergefell v. Hodges), Christie said that the outcomes would have been different if the court had more Christie type judges on the bench.[56][57][58] Christie also said "If you want to know the kind of justices to the Supreme Court that a President Christie would pick, you need to look at one seat on the Supreme Court, and that's the seat of judge Sam Alito."[59]

Prison reform

Christie supports changes in the criminal justice system which addresses disparities in sentencing, particularly for non-violent and drug-related crimes. He acknowledges racial disparities in sentencing.[60]

Israel-Palestine

In March 2014, Christie gave a foreign policy speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition also attended by other Republican presidential hopefuls. In it, Christie said that everyone he met in Israel during his visit, wanted America to be an "unblinking, unwavering unquestioning friend" but worried that this was no longer true. He said that he is in the business to win elections and not just arguments, saying "If we want to just have arguments and stand for nothing, we could just form a university." Christie said he was overwhelmed by displays of religious tolerance during his recent trip to Jerusalem and used the term "occupied territories" in reference to lands in dispute. Christie later apologized for the remark, which is rejected by some conservative Zionists and other supporters of Israel who see it as validating Palestinian views.[61]

Public funding for family planning clinics

As governor, In 2010 Christie vetoed $7.5 million in funding for family planning clinics, including Planned Parenthood, saying the money was duplicative and unaffordable. He vetoed the funding four more times in following years. Christie had repeatedly stated the decision was financial and not one based on his beliefs. In February 2015 he stated.[62] "I'm pro-life, I ran as a pro-life candidate in 2009 unapologetically, spoke at the pro-life rally on the steps of the Statehouse -- the first governor to ever speak at a pro-life rally on the steps of the Statehouse -- and vetoed Planned Parenthood funding five times out of the New Jersey budget." [63] [64][65]

NSA domestic surveillance

Christie supports the collection of metadata of phone calls of American citizens and denizens by the National Security Agency.[66][67]

Firearms control

In June 2015, Christie said; "I know there's a lot of perception about my view on gun rights because I'm from New Jersey and because the laws are the way they are, but these laws were being made long before I was governor and no new ones have been made since I've been governor.[68] During his term as governor Christie has vetoed some proposed legislation, re-written others, and signed on bills regulating firearms.[69]

Fiscal policy

As Governor of New Jersey, Christie has received grades of B in 2012[70][71] and B in 2014[72][73] from the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, in their biennial Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors.

Endorsements

See also: Endorsements for the Republican Party presidential primaries, 2016

List of Chris Christie endorsements

All individuals are members or supporters of the Republican Party, unless otherwise stated

Current and former U.S. Senators
Current and Former U.S. Governors
Current and former U.S. Representatives
Statewide Office Holders
State Legislators
Current and former U.S. Ambassadors
Businessmen

See also

References

  1. ^ "Chris Christie on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  2. ^ George Will (January 30, 2013). "Chris Christie, volcanic politics and Election 2016". The Washington Post.
  3. ^ Susan Heavey (January 9, 2013). "New Jersey's Christie: likely "more ready" for president in 2016". Reuters.
  4. ^ Paul Steinhauser (November 10, 2012). "Analysis: It's never too early to talk about 2016". CNN.
  5. ^ Miller, Jack (12 February 2014). "Thanks to scandal, Clinton would crush Christie in 2016, poll says". CBS News. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  6. ^ Jhonson, Brent. "Chris Christie's 2016 prospects drop amid allegations, new poll shows". The Star Ledget. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  7. ^ Evans, Dave (January 9, 2014). "Gov. Christie faces political fallout from BridgeGate scandal". ABC. Retrieved February 19, 2014.[dead link‍]
  8. ^ Errol, Louis (December 17, 2013). "Bridge scandal tarnishes Chris Christie's image". CNN. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  9. ^ Conroy, Scott (January 22, 2014). "RCP's Scott Conroy on Whether Christie Can Weather the Storm". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  10. ^ "Pick 3: Christie names top potential 2016 GOP candidates". Fox News. 31 March 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  11. ^ Margolin, Josh; DeFalco, Beth (August 27, 2012). "Christie chose NJ over Mitt's VP role due to fears that they'd lose". New York Post. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  12. ^ Sullivan, Sean; Rucker, Philip (October 31, 2013). "Obama's advisers considered replacing Biden with Clinton, according to book". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  13. ^ Friedman, Matt (October 31, 2013). "Book: Romney didn't pick Christie for veep partly due to background 'land mines'". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  14. ^ Shear, Michael D. (August 14, 2012). "Christie to Be G.O.P. Convention Keynote Speaker". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  15. ^ Bzdek, Vincent (November 21, 2013). "Christie takes reins of Republican Governors Association". Washington Post. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  16. ^ "Could strong fundraising be Chris Christie's road to redemption?". CBS News. April 30, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  17. ^ "Christie's final financial haul for Republican Governors Association: $117M". NJ.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  18. ^ Colvin, Jill (January 25, 2015). "New Jersey's Christie launches political action committee". Yahoo! News. Associated Press. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  19. ^ Miller, Zeke J. (January 26, 2015). "Chris Christie Launches PAC in Preparation for 2016 Presidential Run". TIME. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  20. ^ Haddon, Heather; Epstein, Reid J. (January 26, 2015). "Chris Christie Joins Crowded GOP Fight for Donors". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  21. ^ Jose A. DelReal (12 March 2015). "Christie allies launch super PAC". Washington Post.
  22. ^ "Political action committees ramp up for Christie". Mail Online. London. 12 March 2015.
  23. ^ "Christie's super PAC has raised $11M for his 2016 run". NJ.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  24. ^ http://www.desmoinesregister.com/videos/news/2015/06/30/4189997/
  25. ^ Chris Christie. "Telling it like it is – Chris Christie for President". chrischristie.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  26. ^ "Christie Opens 2016 Campaign, Long Climb Ahead". Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  27. ^ "N.J. Gov. Chris Christie announces presidential campaign". tdm.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  28. ^ Billings, Randy (1 July 2015). "Maine Gov. LePage endorses 'great friend' Chris Christie for president". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  29. ^ MELISSA HAYES. "Christie's presidential campaign won't reimburse N.J. for troopers protecting him as he travels". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  30. ^ Bob Jordan, @bobjordanAPP (8 July 2015). "Christie presidential campaign hits taxpayers but NJ not the only state with issues". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  31. ^ "Chris Christie and all those other governors should pay for their own police protection – Mulshine". NJ.com.
  32. ^ "Christie withholds NJ credit card records on travel costs - Watchdog.org". Watchdog.org.
  33. ^ "Chris Christie's out-of-state travel cost taxpayers at least $1 million for security detail, report says". NJ.com.
  34. ^ "Court Allows Christie to Hide $1 Million in AmEx Charges for Travel". njspotlight.com.
  35. ^ "Details of $1M on Christie travel can remain state secret, judge rules". NJ.com.
  36. ^ melissa hayes. "Christie's travel costs for security detail tally nearly $185,000 for first part of the year". NorthJersey.com.
  37. ^ http://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-taxpayers-billed-89-000-for-christie-s-travel-security-costs-for-second-part-of-year-1.1400441
  38. ^ Lagerkvist, Mark (July 16, 2015). "NO ONE PROTECTS GOV. CHRISTIE FROM HIMSELF, DESPITE COSTLY SECURITY". NJ Spotlight. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  39. ^ http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/09/christie_used_state_chopper_4_times_to_fly_to_2016.html#incart_2box_politics_index.ssf
  40. ^ http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/09/nj_lawmaker_aims_to_curb_christiess_2016_helicopter_use.html#incart_river
  41. ^ "N.J. Dems seek to force Christie to repay 2016 travel costs". NJ.com. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  42. ^ Heather Haddon (22 July 2015). "Democrats Push Chris Christie on Costs of Political Trips". Wall Street Journal.
  43. ^ "Christie forces taxpayers to support his campaign - Editorial". NJ.com.
  44. ^ http://www.ibtimes.com/chris-christie-travel-lawsuit-expenses-while-campaigning-president-questioned-2063909
  45. ^ "FOX NEWS AND FACEBOOK PARTNER TO HOST FIRST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DEBATE OF 2016 ELECTION – Fox News Channel Press". foxnews.com.
  46. ^ CHARLES STILE. "Stile: Christie shows a softer side on New Hampshire trail". NorthJersey.com.
  47. ^ "Christie may be losing ground with Republicans since 2016 campaign kickoff, poll shows". NJ.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  48. ^ "Christie says he'll be in top 10 at debate time". NJ.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  49. ^ "Could Christie get pushed out of first Republican debate?". NJ.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  50. ^ "Sly Fox: Network won't say which 2016 polls will decide if Christie can debate". NJ.com. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  51. ^ "Christie makes the cut for first 2016 Republican debate". NJ.com.
  52. ^ http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/09/will_new_cnn_debate_rules_put_christie_at_grownups.html#incart_river
  53. ^ http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/09/christie_makes_it_on_main_stage_at_second_2016_rep.html
  54. ^ Rebecca Berg (April 14, 2015). "Christie Reenters 2016 Fray With Entitlement Reform Pitch". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  55. ^ Heather Haddon (April 14, 2015). "Christie Calls for Social Security Cuts". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  56. ^ "Christie's Judicial Appointments: Liberal, Not Conservative – National Review Online". National Review Online.
  57. ^ "Christie criticizes high court's gay marriage ruling". PhillyVoice.
  58. ^ Lange, Jason (5 July 2015). "U.S. Republican Christie criticizes high court's gay marriage ruling". Reuters. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  59. ^ "'President Christie's' choice for Supreme Court would be Samuel Alito clone". NJ.com.
  60. ^ MELISSA HAYES. "Christie joining call for prison reform". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  61. ^ See Kenneth Vogel, "Chris Christie apologizes for 'occupied territories' remark", POLITICO March 30, 2014
  62. ^ "Budget then, abortion now: Christie's changing reasons for Planned Parenthood cuts". NJ.com.
  63. ^ "Christie vows to defund Planned Parenthood if elected president". NJ.com. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  64. ^ "Christie Flips On Reason For Vetoing Planned Parenthood Funds". NJ Spotlight.
  65. ^ "Christie links Planned Parenthood vetoes to anti-abortion stance". NJ.com. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  66. ^ Dopp, Terrence (8 May 2015). "Christie Says He Supports NSA Bulk Collection of Phone Records". Bloomberg.com.
  67. ^ "ANDREW NAPOLITANO: Chris Christie, Rand Paul clash on Fourth Amendment". The Washington Times.
  68. ^ "Christie talks up gun rights in trying to woo voters in South". NJ.com.
  69. ^ "New gun bill scorecard: Track New Jersey's gun legislation". NJ.com.
  70. ^ Edwards, Chris (October 9, 2012). "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2012" (PDF). Cato Institute. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  71. ^ Edwards, Chris (October 9, 2012). "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2012". Cato Institute. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  72. ^ Kaeding, Nicole; Edwards, Chris (October 2, 2014). "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2014" (PDF). Cato Institute. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  73. ^ Kaeding, Nicole; Edwards, Chris (October 2, 2014). "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2014". Cato Institute. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  74. ^ a b c d e f g "Christie announces N.J. presidential leadership teams".
  75. ^ "Christie gets 2016 endorsement from Maryland gov he helped elect". NJ.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  76. ^ "Chris Christie wins an endorsement: Maine Gov. Paul LePage". Politico.
  77. ^ "Paulsen: Christie has proven record of results". Des Moines Register. August 21, 2015.
  78. ^ a b c d e f g "Dan Tuohy's Granite Status: 'Summer of Trump' stretches on across New Hampshire". Union Leader. 2015-08-19.
  79. ^ a b c d e f "6 endorse Chris Christie, who releases new campaign ad". Union Leader. 2015-08-24.
  80. ^ Mark Pazniokas (2015-06-05). "Rubio quotes JFK at Connecticut GOP's Bush dinner". Tom Foley is already off the market. He's signed up with the exploratory effort of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who supported Foley's gubernatorial campaign last year.
  81. ^ Dopp, Terrence (30 June 2015). "Langone at Center of Christie Fundraising Team as Quest Begins". Bloomberg Politics.
  82. ^ Dopp, Terrence (22 July 2015). "Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman Joins Chris Christie Campaign as National Finance Co-Chair". Bloomberg.
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