Chris Christie Focusing Campaign Efforts On New Hampshire Over Next Several Days
SANDOWN, N.H. (CBSNewYork) -- A day after he declared his candidacy for president, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is campaigning Wednesday in the key state of New Hampshire, where he will try to recapture the magic that once made him a star of the Republican Party.
Christie is planting himself in the Granite State for the next five days, where he'll seek to reconnect with voters in a series of town hall meetings, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.
Just hours after formally launching his campaign at his high school alma mater in Livingston, New Jersey, Christie participated in a town hall meeting Tuesday night in Sandown, New Hampshire.
Chris Christie Focusing Campaign Efforts On New Hampshire Over Next Several Days
"The only way I want to be president is if I get to be me and you get to be you," he told the crowd.
Christie is betting big on New Hampshire, where nearly half of GOP primary voters in 2012 described themselves as independents.
The New Jersey governor is billing himself as a straight-talking candidate who is willing to compromise when necessary.
New Jersey Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, R-Westfield, a Christie supporter, said he things his message and style will resonate with New Hampshire voters.
"I think they'll be overwhelmed by his charisma, his knowledge of the issues and his warmth," Bramnick told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond.
"You tell me how many politicans you've listened to and you didn't want to change the channel. This guy, you can't put the book down."
Campaign strategist Mike Duhame said Christie doesn't have to connect with voters on every single issue to be successful.
"What we found is a lot of people have voted for him over the years -- even if they don't agree with him on everything, they repsect the fact that he tells them the truth and deals with them like adults," he said.
When asked by CBS News what he believes sets him apart from the other 13 major Republican candidates, Christie said: "I think what I offer is that opportunity in a state like this (New Jersey), where this state's incredibly divided politically. We've been able to bring people together and be able to get a lot of things accomplished."
