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BRIDGE TOO FAR
Chris Christie’s campaign ‘never left 1st gear’ with growing calls to let supporters switch to Nikki Haley, expert says
'It's clear to me tonight that there isn't a path to win the nomination'
FORMER New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was never able to get his presidential campaign off the ground before he dropped out, a political analyst has said.
Christie announced that he was taking his name off the ballot after going off on a hot mic at a town hall in New Hampshire on Wednesday night.
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"Campaigns are run to win, that's why we do them," Christie told the crowd on Wednesday.
"It's clear to me tonight that there isn't a path to win the nomination."
Christie's announcement came as no surprise as only former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are nipping at the heels of Donald Trump, who continues to crush the polls.
The New Jersey native also teased his decision at another town hall on Tuesday, where he said he would be willing to endorse another candidate who has a better shot at taking down the MAGA leader.
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“I’m famous enough... I’ve got plenty of titles... The only reason to do this is to win,” he said at the time.
“So I’d be happy to get out of the way for somebody if they actually were going against Donald Trump.”
Though Christie appeared resolute in his mission, politics expert at the University of Lynchburg David Richards said his campaign never showed signs of hope.
"He has just never been able to get out of first gear in this race," he exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
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"And the calls for him to concede his position and let his supporters go over to Nikki Haley has been building over the past few weeks."
Christie's platform was founded on an anti-Trump banner, which only got him so far after Haley collected a similar voter base, Richards said.
Now, he thinks the never-Trumpers should leave their hopes with the former South Carolina governor as the critical Iowa and New Hampshire caucuses inch closer.
"Iowa will finish DeSantis barring any surprises - leaving Haley as the last hope for the Never Trump folks," Richards said.
"Her base is too narrow I think, but we'll see how she does in New Hampshire."
The Iowa primary elections will take place on January 15, and the New Hampshire caucuses are scheduled for January 23.
HOT MIC
Christie didn't give any indication that he would be endorsing another candidate at the town hall.
Moments before ending his long-shot bid, Christie was caught on a hot mic slamming his opponents.
He claimed that DeSantis called him "petrified" about the race and that former Haley would get "smoked" in the election cycle.
After announcing his exit, Christie said he wouldn't make the same mistake of prematurely endorsing someone else to hold the party line.
The former governor was one of the first high-profile figures to side with the voters and publicly support Donald Trump in 2016.
He voiced fears that he would endorse Haley, only to have her sign on as Trump's vice president.
“I have no interest in being a spoiler for someone who wants to beat Donald Trump,” he said.
“But if you’d be willing to be his vice president, if you’d pardon him if you became president, if you’d vote for him even if he’s a convicted felon ... I mean, geez, really?”
Christie said he wants to be intentional about where to direct his fanbase, as a New Jersey poll found that around two-thirds of his supporters put Haley as their second choice.
“What will I look like? What will all the people who supported her at my behest look like?” he said.
"You know, I made that mistake once, eight years ago.
"I made an endorsement decision based on politics eight years ago when I supported Trump.
"I’m not going to make the same mistake again. Can’t do it.”
Christie hopes his decision will stunt the support of Trump, who is in a dead heat with President Joe Biden, according to a Reuter's poll released Wednesday.
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Trump has yet to appear at an official debate or town hall, opting for his own rallies instead.
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