Christie, Buono to meet in NJ race debate
TRENTON, N.J. _ New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is participating in the first debate of his re-election campaign Tuesday night, an event that could be a tuneup for the 2016 presidential campaign.
Christie hasn't declared his intention to run for president but Republican strategists say he likely would be a strong contender for the Republican Party nomination if he runs. In his three years as governor, Christie's national profile has grown substantially _ he was the straight-talking face of the state's response to Superstorm Sandy and has sought high-profile roles including keynote speaker at last year's Republican National Convention.
His debate opponent, Democratic state Sen. Barbara Buono, has been given little chance at unseating the popular governor. The only unsettled question appears to be Christie's margin of victory in this Democratic-leaning state.
Christie, 51, who tends to be better off-the-cuff than in scripted remarks, is likely to stick to the talking points of the campaign. He'll tout his ability to reach consensus with New Jersey's Democrat-led Legislature, and will contrast his signature bipartisan achievements of ending lifetime teacher tenure and winning benefits concessions from public-sector unions with the gridlock in Washington that has led to a government shutdown. He'll portray his opponent as a tax-and-spend liberal, much like former Gov. Jon Corzine, who Christie unseated four years ago.
The message won't be new, but viewers might be surprised to see a thinner version of the governor. Christie said last month he's more than halfway to the dieting goal he set after undergoing weight-loss surgery in February.
Buono, 60, who has struggled to stay on-message and has been outraised by more than 4-to-1, is expected to portray Christie as a nationally ambitious politician whose every calculation is based on his national aspirations.
Campaigning in East Brunswick earlier Tuesday, Christie said he expected the debate to be "fun."
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More pvpanther News Articles
- Alphas win TCAC chapter of the year
- Senior project to help track campus shuttles
- Pre-med students receive white coats
- Library exhibits 'Women of a New Tribe
Recent pvpanther News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR PVPANTHER
Grambling snatches third win in two seasons against the Panthers By Denzel Speights
Fast start ends in epic double overtime win for Lady Panthers By Donovan Martinez
Alphas win TCAC chapter of the year By Demario Lowe
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST PVPANTHER NEWS
- Grambling snatches third win in two seasons against the Panthers
- Love or lust relationship seminar educates students on love
- Leisure activity turns into new organization on campus
- Fast start ends in epic double overtime win for Lady Panthers
- Alphas win TCAC chapter of the year
- Students network with companies at career fair
- Panthers give Bearkats a run for their
RECENT PVPANTHER CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Better Health, Naturally
- Stay Connected Via Free Mobile Services
- Clean Your Air: Six Ways To Manage Allergens
- Tips For Improving Mental Health
- New Writers and Illustrators Win Decades-Old Science...
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- BookTrib’s Bites: Jump into Spring with These Four Reads
- The Untold Story of GoDaddy Founder’s Traumatic Life a...
- La Semana del Aprendizaje Juvenil destaca las oportunidades
- BookTrib's Bites: Four Captivating Spring Reads
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Generac Urges Americans to Prepare for Power Outages Early
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- NOW Available: Comcast Launches NOW Brand Prepaid Internet and Mobile Services Nationwide
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding