Republican presidential hopeful, Chris Christie, defended his campaign on Tuesday, responding to New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu’s assertion that his campaign lacks a viable path forward. Christie suggested that Sununu’s perspective has been influenced by his recent employment under Nikki Haley, another Republican candidate.
“Chris Sununu was once one of the most vocal critics of Donald Trump in this country,” Christie told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on “AC360”. He accused Sununu of abandoning his principles for political favor within his own state, particularly in light of his endorsement of Haley, who has been reluctant to criticize Trump.
Christie’s comments come as Republican presidential candidates are striving to differentiate themselves ahead of the Iowa caucuses. Sununu, who recently endorsed Haley, suggested that Christie’s campaign had reached a “dead end”.
Christie questioned Sununu’s endorsement of Haley, suggesting it was based on fleeting poll numbers. He also criticized Haley’s handling of a question about the Civil War at a New Hampshire town hall, where she failed to mention slavery as a cause.
Sununu responded to Christie’s criticism on CNN, acknowledging Christie’s frustration but maintaining that the race was always going to be a challenge. He suggested that Christie could play a crucial role in consolidating the race, rather than continuing his own campaign.
Despite criticism that Haley and other candidates are not doing enough to challenge Trump directly, Sununu defended Haley’s strategy, highlighting her momentum in the race. He pointed out that Trump, despite being the “standard bearer of the party”, only has the support of just over 40% of Republican primary voters in New Hampshire.
Christie also commented on the ongoing legal issues surrounding Trump, expressing his belief that the US Supreme Court would quickly dismiss Trump’s claim of immunity from federal prosecution for alleged crimes committed while in office.
Christie concluded, “I just don’t believe that there’s any real argument. That a president could literally do anything. And if he wasn’t impeached and removed for it, he escapes all type of criminal or civil legal liability. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Report contributed by CNN’s Ebony Davis.