What Do Chris Christie's Appearances For Mitt Romney Mean?
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was in Iowa twice campaigning for GOP Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, and this weekend he'll be in New Hampshire. But what does an appearance like this mean?
WCBS 880's Peter Haskell On The Story
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By campaigning in New Hampshire, Christie can win votes for Romney. That's the feeling of Pete McDonough, who was press secretary to then New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman.
"If Chris Christie gets media attention, the viewer in Concord, New Hampshire who sees that says 'Oh, that's what Mitt Romeny's about. Mitt Romney must be a good person. Maybe I'm going to vote for Mitt Romney,'" McDonough told WCBS 880 reporter Peter Haskell.
But it doesn't mean Christie can help Romney win in New Jersey in November. Democratic candidates have carried New Jersey in the last five elections.
"I don't think any surrogate wins any votes for anyone in a general election," said McDonough. "This is going to be a choice between change or more of the same. I don't think any surrogate makes a difference in that case."
McDonough feels that's because voters are looking strictly at the issues that most directly impact them.
But Montclair State University political science professor Brigid Harrison isn't so sure.
"When Mr. Christie endorses and campaigns on Mr. Romney's behalf, some voters in New Jersey will give him a second look because of that," she said Friday.
Harrison admits New Jersey is a tough state for Republicans.
Romney recently won the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary is this Tuesday.
Do you think Romney will win the Republican nomination? If so, can he beat President Obama? Sound off in the comments section below!
