After New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s successful two-day road trip to
New Hampshire, expect to see growing attention on this potential GOP
presidential candidate at this weekend’s First in The Nation Summit in
the Granite State (FITN).
Christie is one of the featured speakers at the summit, the equivalent
of a mini-Republican convention attended by all the presidential
hopefuls. He might not have the poll numbers just yet of Jeb Bush, but
he appears to have an innate ability to connect with voters.
“I think in this business, and if you are someone who wants to be in
public life, you have to like meeting people,” Christie told Boston
Herald Radio yesterday. “I love meeting people ... I had a really
substantive conversation with a woman in a pizza place about my
proposals on social security and Medicare.”
He said holding town hall meetings and connecting with voters “makes
you a better leader.”
So what does it say about Hillary Clinton when she makes a pit stop at
Chipotle during her road trip to Iowa and never shakes a single hand
with diners?
Christie had an explanation.
“I don’t know if this is something she really enjoys doing and we are
going to have to watch over a period of time how she conducts herself
as a candidate for president,” he said.
Perfectly put. Christie needs to soften his image a bit among female
voters, and showing some restraint when addressing Clinton is probably
smart — at least for now.
Other 2016 GOP contenders like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Kentucky Sen.
Rand Paul have taken a hard-line approach toward the former secretary
of state. I think casting a shadow of doubt about whether Clinton
likes campaigning is a smarter tactic than telling voters she doesn’t
really want to shake your hand or hear about your problems. The
surveillance camera image plastered all over the news of Clinton
wearing sunglasses inside a fast food restaurant says it all for him.
Instead of discrediting her candidacy, Christie addressed the uphill
battle a Republican will face in beating her.
“Whoever is the Republican nominee can’t take anything for granted,”
he said. “We have to go out and earn the votes.”
That’s an interesting choice of words, considering that many feel
Clinton hasn’t earned her frontrunner status and that the nomination
will be all but handed to her on a platter.
Another well-played subtle attack by Christie. Look for more tomorrow
afternoon at FITN.
Jaclyn Cashman is co-host of the “Morning Meeting” show on Boston Herald Radio.
Copyright © 2024 Jaclyn Cashman.
