Christie Was Romney's First Choice of Veep

Campaign has buyer's remorse over Paul Ryan, insiders say

Bombastic NJ Governor Chris Christie was Mitt Romney's first choice of running mate, according to unnamed "campaign insiders" who spoke to Politico this week. Romney was on the verge of picking Christie before his trip overseas, but within two weeks changed his mind, and chose Paul Ryan.

Those same insiders believe that Christie would have helped Romney win white male voters in Ohio - more so than actual running mate Ryan.

Christie would "be great anywhere there are ordinary white men," Politico's source explained. "They would have loved him because here's this straight-talking, hard-charging, in-your-face guy, and he's a man's man. Ohio is the only battleground state where Mitt has a net negative gender gap - where his approval among men doesn't outweigh the president's approval among women. Chris Christie changes that."

It's not clear what's prompted these revelations, which seem less than beneficial to Mitt Romney in the closing days of his campaign. Perhaps the sources felt that it would help Romney to be associated with Christie, who has received phenomenal press for his high-energy response to Hurricane Sandy.

Via Politico.

Would you have preferred Chris Christie as Romney's running mate?

[PNWest]

I'm glad that Romney didn't pick him. Christie is actually sane. Paul Ryan was a much better choice (for Obama). It was really fun watching him get his but whipped by Granppa Joe.

[wild_turkey6]

I like Christie. I hope that he is looking toward 2016. As you said, he is a sane Republican, that doesn't really cater to the extremists in his party (or the the leftist extremist either). With him on the ticket, my vote might have changed.

[PNWest]

@wild_turkey6 Not me. My dream ticket for 2016 is Michelle Bachmann/Rick Perry or if I can't get that then Sarah Palin/Glenn Beck. I want to make it easy for Hillary.

[Calfkiller]

No, If Romney had picked Christie the left would have used the Ryan proposal to the point of exhaustion. Romney effectively wiped out half of Obama's strategy when he chose Ryan. Up to the point that Romney decided on Ryan, half of the anti republican propaganda revolved around attacking Mitt Romney until he tried to defend his position, then switch to Ryan to change the narrative. The day he chose Ryan the left was almost silent. If Romney had picked Christie he would have had a triple threat. Attack Romney, make fun of Christie's weight and non union stances, and fall back on Ryan if anybody starts figuring things out. I don't see how you go from being a fanatical liberal to having any credible opinion as to who should be on the conservative ticket. Likewise Mary has been running a barrage of less than truthful topix trying to muddy the waters.

[PNWest]

@Calfkiller This was one of your better posts. I was just having fun with the potential GOP tickets for 2016. I do hope that you'll nominate one of the nuttier candidates. I wanted Santorum to get the nomination this time. He would have been very easy to beat. We on the left did pounce hard on the Ryan proposals at first but stopped when it made more sense to go after Romney directly. Ryan didn't help Romney much at all. I'm not sure that picking on Christie's weight would have been a good idea. I wouldn't have done it. A large (pardon the pun) portion of Americans are overweight and making fun of Christie might backfire big time. Mary's Topix have been pretty middle of the road in my opinion. They are just stories. We can all debate their relative merit.

[Calfkiller]

@PNWest pardon not granted on the pun. that was pretty good. Yeah the weight thing might have worked in certain circles, probably would not have been good in public though. I think Ryan was absolutely the best VP pick though. It gave Romney a chance to breath. I don't think Rubio is ready or else he would have been devastating I believe for the left. on the Topix the day before the Chrysler/China topic was put up the CEO of Chrysler who is an Italian Citizen (that would technically make Chrysler and Italian company?)released a statement stating specifically that it was the intention of Chrysler to move production o Jeep vehicles to China. This wasn't an undercover journalistic hit job It was released by the CEO to the media. Yet the next day the story is put on here as though Romney seemed to be lying again.

[Calfkiller]

judging by politico's skewed perspective I would have to question the truthfulness of their reporting. I don't for a minute think there were any unamed insiders that leaked this information. Christie was on the verge of yelling at the next person to ask him if he would consider a VP position. He said adamantly again and again that his job was in New Jersey. If he said differently i'm not aware of it. I may be wrong.

[DARSB]

"judging by politico's skewed perspective" I'm always looking for examples of this. Got any on tap that relate to Politico?

[Tralee]

LOL - Calfkiller, it was just Harry Reid's imaginary friend and a few of his imaginary associates who actually leaked this information. Definitely good for a laugh and a major eye roll at the antics of a very desperate left. Obama's internal polls must show him going down big time.

[Calfkiller]

@DARSB bahh you always pick out a detail and avoid the point.

[mimi57]

I think Chris Christie is too temperamental to be a VP or POTUS...I think he knows that, and that's why he hasn't
pushed the issue. He's very emotional and though it's understandable under the situation, his praises for a man
who wanted a quick photo op, to make him appear concerned, only to disappear AGAIN to hit the Campaign
trail in Vegas...was a little much. Maybe Obama can bring him back a nice big "Doggie bag".

[Denizen_Kate]

".... his praises for a man who wanted a quick photo op... was a little much." Christie has never struck me as the type to reward insincerity.

[mimi57]

@Denizen_Kate You may be right Kate, but he is a little tempermental and always has seemed that way to me.

[CATTLEPROD]

Chris christie has his own gravitational field. Mitt romney is calculating enough that I dont think buyers remorse figures into this. It does explain christie getting all chummy with barry the other day, I mean he would have been there for the photo op either way. But I'm sure it was a little payback on christies part to pump up barrys economy while he was there.

[karen]

and zip code...

[RoyFloyd]

I like Christie too, because he's one of the few left of the reasonable wing of the Republican party, and also 'cause he makes me, an older fart with a couple (dozen) extra pounds, look trim and fit by comparison. I'd love a photo op alongside him.

[Amanda-W]

No I wouldn't. As a democrat, we need Chris Christie to run in 2016 and being vp would've ruined that

[Thunderchicken]

For now, I'm happy with Ryan. We'll see what happens after the election and hopefully in four years.

[Zoe2012]

Nope, very satisfied with Paul Ryan. Biden is the one people should be worried about, he is crazy!

[Tralee]

Zoe, imagine if, God Forbid, something happens to Obama! Biden would be president, all the more reason for Mr. Obama to continue to take his vitamins, eat well, quit smoking, stop taking drugs, work out and keep his secret service detail real close. We definitely do NOT want anything to happen to Obama. God only knows what Biden would decide needed to be partitioned next.

[LoveHasNo82]

I think its funny that you think the Romney/Ryan ticket has a chance at the Whitehouse. I think there is going to be alot of soul searching in the GOP party after this election. I think they are going to come to find the most of the American people don't really share the same views on how they would lead America forward.

[Zoe2012]

@LoveHasNo82 Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?

[LoveHasNo82]

@Zoe2012 I just think its great because had he picked Chrisite then well I think he might have had a shot at the Whitehouse. I think with the comments that Romney as well as Ryan have made it enough for the American people to make a choice. I mean with the comment that Romney made about 47 percent of the population. Then you have the VP Ryan who has said more than one time that 60 percent of American's are takers not makers. The American people are not willing to go back to the last GOP Whitehouse. I think after this election there is going to be alot of soul searching in the GOP party.

[karen]

@LoveHasNo82 I think it is even funnier that you do not.

[Dan_Tien]

Christie is not as pretty on the campaign posters. Overweight people are the last sub-group of Americans that everyone seems comfortable discriminating against.

[Calfkiller]

thanks to Michele's exhaustive efforts to starve out the schools kids. 4 more years of that and they'll go from obese to emaciated

[mimi57]

Yes, that's true , Dan, However Michelle Obama is going to take care of that. She seems to be obsessed with everyone's weight...but her own.(>:

[Dan_Tien]

@Calfkiller If only I had known that my mother was pushing a liberal agenda back when she used to tell me to "Lay of the junk food and eat your vegetables".

[Grozney]

@mimi57 Typical ... Attack the messenger Hey PUT DOWN THE TWINKIE!

[mimi57]

@Grozney I don't eat Twinlkies...LOL

[Hit400]

I loved unnamed sources. Typical crap out of Chicago and the Liberals. Just another attempt to detract from the real issue. "It is the Economy stupid." Politics are ugly but the Chicago Axelrod machine have taken things to the lowest level in history. The media makes you want to throw-up but win or lose we will live to fight another day for America.

[PNWest]

It seems that we are all in agreement with Romney's pick of Ryan as VP candidate. I just loved the way he got beat up by Biden and the fact that he hasn't helped Romney at all. Sarah Palin would have helped Romney more. It's nice to see those of us on the left agree with those on the right.

[mimi57]

I think we all agree Romney and Ryan will win on Tuesday...YAY!!!

[idlbeokay_bob]

Other than getting his ass kicked by Biden, all we've seen of Eddie Munster oops I mean Paul Ryan was his fake photo op washing pans at the soup kitchen. He could at least washed a soup bowl. ;-\

[idlbeokay_bob]

@mimi57 you must be agreeing with the voices in your head because I'm not seeing it here. ;-\

[mimi57]

@idlbeokay_bob LOL...pay attention!..

[PNWest]

@mimi57 Well maybe not all of us. Sorry Mimi, R&R are gonna lose and your state is going to put Obama over the top.

[Jack-Black]

If Romney would have chosen Christie, Mary would have an article saying that Ryan was his first choice for veep.

[GetAwake]

I believe that you're spot-on there. If there's anyone out there that cannot look at the articles and the wording of questions posed within and see that they favor one particular side, they're just lying to themselves...which coincidentally, puts them in direct-competition with this site.

[ctc]

So who were choices 2-5??

[bsking]

no. Chris Christie fits New Jersey perfectly.

[Romney_Rube]

@PNWest If you Google it, you will see that Jeb Bush will be Pres # 45 for 8 long years in 2016. As it is, there is no reason for either party to stop the traditional exchange of the White House every 8 years like they've been doing for 30+ years now.

Moreover, the Bush family literally owns the Republican party. George P Bush is destined to be Prez from 2032 to 2040 as #47. All of this is as plain as day but most Americans are in denial just like they were as children when they were told there was no Santa or Easter bunny by their mean classmates.

For the doubters, explain this White House photo taken in January 2012 during the height of the Republican primary:

http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/whitehouse/67731...

America is being played!

[karen]

I would ask where you are getting your facts, but you really haven't provided any. You really need to do some research before making a comment. Please visit http://www.filibustercartoons.com/prezidents.... so you understand what the "real" run time for presidents has been the last 30 years, since your present line of thinking is way off the mark. I live in Florida and would vote for Jeb (I mention my location as he has our governed our state). He was asked this time around as well as the last... and he said no both times. I do hope he does decide to run on the next ticket, but so far he keeps saying no. I think he would be the best president of all the Bush's and better than many we've had in past years as well. The Bush's DO NOT own the Republican party, though I won't deny that they are huge contributors. America is getting played, but not by the Bush's. We are being played by the bankers...by big money. As in all fiduciary crimes, all you have to do is follow the money to be enlightened. I recommend everyone do so.

[Romney_Rube]

@karen well, try this article on for size. Bush NEVER wanted to run in 2012. But I bet he runs in 2016. In fact, here are 2 good articles for you proof hungry girth and thanks for letting us know that you faithfully worship the Bush family. In 2016, you'll get your chance! I would assail all of your other innuendo but not from this iphone.

http://nymag.com/news/politics/elections-2012...

Jeb Bush: No run in 2012, but I don't rule out 2016
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13851...

[karen]

@Romney_Rube : Good articles. I enjoyed reading them. Thank you for sharing. (-:

[KyleMFb]

I wouldn't care bc mitt romney will never be president and besides the Koch brother paid mitt Romney to put Ryan on the ticket

[karen]

Really? I hope you are wrong (about Romney winning). Obama has been running with around 47% support and NO ONE has ever won with less than 51%. I'll say it's a very interesting race and the whole world has their eyes on it.

[Romney_Rube]

@karen It sounds like you have been glued to Hannity where they have everything skewed in Romney's favor. Couple that with your continuing ardent support for Bush and your not bringing anything to the table.Com e on, this is the varsity room.

[KyleMFb]

@karen it could be a close race but Obama will pull through in the end Americains see that mitt Romney is more radical than bush. Mitt romneys answer for everything is send it to the private sector (where people will take advantage of you for extra profit) and government doesn't creat jobs unless I'm president then it will creat 12 million new jobs but don't believe those left wing fact checkers that says that's not true also don't believe those left wing fact checkers when they say its impossible to be energy independent after all I don't let facts run my campaign

[Litdes]

He certainly would have been more qualified.

[Grozney]

Sez you!

[Litdes]

@Grozney Actually, Christie has proven that he is willing to set politics aside to get things done. I haven't always agreed with the man, his politics, or his decisions; but his recent action following the hurricane Sandy is telling. He cares deeply about his state, and is willing to pursue options that are deeply at odds with party rhetoric. Apparently the federal government (and the president) are good for something.

[Buggsy888]

This is no more than a rag article. According to insiders is the same BS the National Enquirer used. How about sources close to the star. If you can not name your source,,,consider that. What has journalism come to. But worse,,,what is wrong with people who would believe a miniscule thin thread of a reliable source.

[martydotcom]

I think Romney regrets his choice. Ryan hasn't been allowed to talk to a reporter since Oct. 8th. http://politi.co/PNLrxT
Christie certainly has incurred the wrath of Fox with Rupert Murdoch demanding, via a tweet, Christie swear undying fealty to Romney or be doomed to Fox editorial Hell. I'm sure Christie gave Murdoch the traditional single fingered Jersey salute

[VCP]

Neither Ryan nor Romney have been allowed to talk to anyone or answer any questions. They both, especialy Romney because he says something stupid every time he opens his mouth!! They keep them quiet and keep telling lies. That's the new republican strategy.

[commonsense51]

Chris Christie showed his true colors when he kissed Obama's butt at the expense of Romney's and the Republican election. I learned a lot about Christie when he was fawning all over Obama on national tv and then when they asked him about Romney coming to the state, he got angry about playing politics during a crisis. What's with this guy? He could have said any number of things not to play politics. Obama was purely playing politics and after two days he was back to Las Vegas.

[Romney_Rube]

Maybe Christie also knows that Romney isn't going to win and that it was in his interests to make nicey-nice with Obama for FEMA money and other aid. If Christie had lived up to your desires and gratification and completely dissed Obama only for Romney to lost next week, then he would get the short end of the stick for his own future. And where would commonsense51 be? No where to be found.

[commonsense51]

@Romney_Rube I didn't say he should diss Obama, i said he should have not fawned all over him and then be rude to Romney. Romney is going to win so Christie just shot himself in the foot. If our nation re elects Obama, then we have tipped the scale over to a majority Welfare state. Just what Democrats have been trying to do for decades. SCARY!

[VVP]

If it is true, Personally I think it has a whole lot less to do with Romney changing his mind and a whole lot more to do with Christie laughing in his face and turning him down because he would rather run as president himself when he is ready. All signs point to Christie not liking Romney anyway, He would much rather run in 2016, instead of having to wait potentially to 2020 which with his weight and health he might not make it to, or in condition to run.