Chris Christie Carries Announcement Vibe to New Hampshire
SANDOWN, N.H. – Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey opened his first campaign event as an official candidate for president on Tuesday by barreling into the town hall building here, with Bon Jovi’s full-throated snarl blaring on the speakers as his wife and four children trailed behind him. It was as if he had just kicked through the double doors of the high school gym in Livingston, N.J., where only hours earlier he had formally announced his campaign.
For those wondering if the governor would tone down his temperament for the “New Hampshire nice” voters packed into a standing-room-only crowd, Mr. Christie quickly threw the notion aside. In response to the first question, about affordable medication and pharmaceutical regulations, he warned the questioner that he might not like what he heard.
“The easiest thing in the world for a politician to say to you is, ‘Damn right, let’s pay less,’” the governor said. “I’m not going to give you an easy answer. This answer is a lot more complicated.”
Indeed, he kept up his “tell it like it is” persona – the phrase was plastered around the hall in all caps on blue “Christie 2016″ banners – but he made sure to toe the line without crossing into the “bully” territory that some have accused him of entering. There were no beratings, no “sit down and shut up” moments. Mr. Christie was measured and in good spirits, at times joking and at others forceful.
His opening remarks, clocking in at 30 minutes, appeared to be the framework of an eventual Christie stump speech. Building upon the pillars of four policy speeches he gave as a candidate-in-waiting with his Leadership Matters for America PAC, Mr. Christie laid out his platform on entitlement reform, economic recovery, foreign policy and education.
He billed himself as a unique entry into the race, often referring to himself as “the only candidate in the race” either willing to do “what it takes” on difficult issues like entitlement reform, or with the right kind of executive experience to lead on issues like combating terrorism.
And he also eschewed the diplomacy that candidates often use this early in the race. Mr. Christie issued pointed attacks at the senators in the race, dismissively referring to their work as debating “in the subcommittee in some room on Capitol Hill.” He took particular aim at Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, saying his efforts against the Patriot Act “have made America weaker and more vulnerable.”
The governor was, at the core, comfortable. The town-hall-style meeting is his signature event, and he was in his element, often joking with voters. To a college graduate who asked a question and offered that he was interested in someday running for office, Mr. Christie offered him blunt advice: Do like he did and “marry a successful woman.”
He also made sure to maintain that comfort. He never strayed into mentioning the problems plaguing him in New Jersey; there was little talk of the state budget, past or present. And while he talked at length, and with great excitement, about battling the teachers union over tenure reform, he did not mention “pension” or “benefits.” Oddly, it also took a question from the audience to get Mr. Christie to talk about Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath, which sent his approval ratings soaring into the 70s.
For some of the potential voters in attendance, Mr. Christie’s style seemed refreshing.
“I really like the guy — he’s direct and honest,” said Anthony Conconte, 24, of Sandown.
When asked the first thing that came to mind when he heard the name “Chris Christie,” Mr. Conconte smiled and struggled for a word. “Straight shooter,” he said, before pointing to the giant “Tell It Like It Is” banner on the near wall.
“That,” he said.