Tuesday, May 30, 2023

CHRIS CHRISTIE'S EXERCISE IN FUTILITY: WHY WOULD THE GOP ELECTORATE LISTEN TO A GUY HALF OF THEM HATE?

Chris Christie's wealthy benefactors can do this, or they can just light piles of money fire -- the electoral consequences will be the same:
Allies of former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey have formed a super PAC to support him in the nascent Republican primary, as he makes preparations for a likely campaign kickoff in the next two weeks....

... Mr. Christie has become a full-throated critic of Mr. Trump, talking as a former federal prosecutor about the former president’s legal travails and describing him as a loser who can no longer command the crowds he once did. Mr. Christie’s candidacy is being watched by donors who either like what he’s saying or see him as the best opportunity to damage Mr. Trump, particularly from a debate stage.
Damage Trump in whose eyes? Republican voters' eyes? Maybe Christie could if he had any credibility with those voters. The problem is, they hate him. They hate him in a way they don't hate any other well-known Trump challenger, as a new Monmouth poll notes:
Republicans have overwhelmingly positive opinions of both Trump (77% favorable and 17% unfavorable) and DeSantis (73% favorable and 12% unfavorable). Among other announced candidates, two South Carolinians – Haley (47% favorable and 16% unfavorable) and Sen. Tim Scott (44% favorable and 8% unfavorable) – garner largely net positive reviews....

Opinion of [Mike Pence] is mixed, but he emerges with a net positive review (46% favorable and 35% unfavorable). Christie, on the other hand, receives a decidedly negative rating (21% favorable and 47% unfavorable), and is the only contender ... tested in this poll who gets a net negative score from the Republican electorate.
Maybe I'm missing something, but if a guy who's regarded positively by only 21% of the electorate attacks someone who's admired by 77% of the electorate, I'm pretty sure Mr. 77% will come out the winner, no matter how well-crafted Mr. 21%'s insults might be.

Stay out of the race, Chris. Preserve the last few shreds of dignity you have left.

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