New Jersey Residents React To Gov. Christie's Snub From Republican Ticket
MENDHAM, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney selected Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate on Saturday morning.
And just moments before Romney and Ryan were to grace the stage together in Norfolk, Virginia, Gov. Chris Christie was at a local hometown deli, grabbing breakfast with his son.
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports
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He had no comment at the time, but a local resident felt the urge to express her disappointment, though for a different reason.
"I just wish it had been (Florida Sen. Marco) Rubio," she told 1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg. "I just like him as a person. I like (Christie) a lot, but I just think he belongs here in New Jersey."
"I think that he could overpower the ticket," another woman added.
Christie later commended Romney's decision in a statement.
"With Paul Ryan on the ticket, this is a team that understands the economic stagnation our country has been facing the last four years, and the urgency with which we need to change course," Christie said. "The Romney-Ryan team is uniquely positioned to make the tough choices necessary to confront our fiscal challenges and get results."
One New Jersey man in no way sees this snub as a setback for Christie.
"As a matter of fact, it probably will appeal more, because after all, Christie is just getting started," he said. "I think he's got a great future."
Another man, however, told Sandberg that, hands down, Romney-Christie makes for a stronger ticket. The only reason that didn't happen, he said, was because New Jersey's governor didn't wan't the nod.
"I'm not surprised," he said. "I think Christie is going to wait for four more years until there is an open field. I think the media wanted him to be the No. 2 more than he did."
But when it comes to not being selected, others pointed to Christie's tough-talking bravado, fears that he would overshadow Romney and, according to another man, the governor's perceived health.
"Chris Christie is 450 pounds," he said. "I'm not going to vote for a man who is 450 pounds. And I think (President Barack) Obama won the election today."
Other New Jersey residents argued that Christie made the right choice -- not necessarily for the nation, but for New Jersey -- by not intensely pursuing a spot on Romney's ticket.
How do you feel about Christie's snub? Offer your thoughts and comments in the section below...
