Chris Christie says ‘TV tough guy’ Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley are ‘running against each other for second place’
Image via Jesse Scheckner.

Chris Christie Scheckner
'Good for them.'

Chris Christie thinks Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley only have their eyes on the silver medal.

He believes the pair are afraid to take on Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.

And Trump, in turn, is afraid of him, he told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell.

“Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis seem to be running against each other for second place. Good for them,” he said. “But you know, when Nikki Haley stands on the stage … and says Donald Trump was the right President for the right time — when Ron DeSantis continues to defend Donald Trump — you cannot beat someone unless you run against them.

“The only path to the Republican nomination for President is not around Donald Trump or next to Donald Trump. It is through Donald Trump. And the fact is I’m the only person who’s willing to do that. I’m the only person with the guts and the experience to be able to do it, and you and I both know why Donald Trump’s not on that debate stage. It’s because I am.”

It might also be because Trump is polling nationally at more than 59%, according to FiveThirtyEight, while DeSantis and Haley hold 14.1% and 9.4%, respectively, among likely voters.

Christie, meanwhile, sits at 2.5%.

The former New Jersey Governor also sat down Wednesday with Fox News’ John Roberts and Sandra Smith to further lambaste DeSantis as a “TV tough guy” who won’t follow through on his campaign promises.

DeSantis’ statements, he said, “are not serious” — or original.

“When you say that we’re going to shoot (drug cartel members) stone cold dead at the border, the fact is that most people know that’s not what’s going to happen,” he said. “Remember Ron DeSantis also saying he’s going to build the wall and Mexico is going to pay for it? We’ve heard that before, John.

“Are we going to be fooled a second time by people who give TV tough guy talk, but in the end don’t deliver? That’s what we’re talking about. Look, there are no more serious times that we’ve been in this country in decades. With the war in Ukraine, with the attack on Israel, we need people who are going to talk about this stuff in a serious way, make promises that can be kept based both upon what they’re saying and their history.”

Christie may have a chance to share his thoughts with DeSantis and Haley next month during a fourth Republican presidential debate, though heightened polling requirements might bar him from doing so.

The debate is set for Dec. 6 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with Megyn Kelly, NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas and the Washington Free Beacon’s Eliana Johnson moderating.

Jesse Scheckner

Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner.


10 comments

  • Michael K

    November 16, 2023 at 11:33 am

    He’s absolutely correct. It’s pathetic to watch those two try to tear each other apart while kowtowing to the orange Mussolini.

  • My Take

    November 16, 2023 at 10:41 pm

    There should be a weekly award for whomever had bashed Trump best. GOP, Dem, media, L to Ed writer, wall- or train-painter vandal, whomever.

  • Judith Kitson

    November 17, 2023 at 12:54 am

    I am concerned about toe number of illegal aliens in our country, some very dangerous.
    I believe everyone deserves a good life and a safe place to live. I would say those who are here illegally need to be sent back to their country until they can go through the legal channels for entry. We cannot afford to feed and house them while they do this. I wish good for them but they shouldn’t have been invited. No one with good sense would have done such a thing to put American Citizens in such peril!

    • Rick Whitaker

      November 17, 2023 at 9:16 am

      WHAT WOULD JESUS DO, AMEN

  • My Take

    November 17, 2023 at 3:46 am

    TRUMP — ENEMY OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
    DESSANTIS — TOO COWARDLY TO DEFEND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
    Too long for bumpér stickers.
    We need scrolling LED signs for rear windows.

  • Sonja Fitch

    November 17, 2023 at 5:35 am

    Omg! Christie makes sense? Omg! Lol. This is a political season ! Love it!

  • Earl Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

    November 17, 2023 at 9:13 am

    I hope those 3 guys who are planning to vote for Chris Christie had a chance to read this article.
    EPA

  • Rick Whitaker

    November 17, 2023 at 9:18 am

    GLAD TO SEE CHRISTY PICKING UP STEAM

  • Conservative always

    November 17, 2023 at 9:53 am

    Christie continues to poll as the Republican least likely to get the nomination. He is nothing but a LOT of hot air.

  • Ocean Joe

    November 17, 2023 at 4:55 pm

    Trump is afraid of Christie and so is the buffet table.
    He makes too much sense to be popular with Republicans.

Comments are closed.


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