In a CPAC interview with Laura Ingraham and from the main stage, Gov. Chris Christie demonstrated he knows you have to fight to get the GOP nomination, and if he goes down, he’s going down swinging, according to a personal communication:
I’m pro-life; ran as a pro-life candidate in 2009, unapologeticaly. I spoke at the pro-life rally on the steps of the state house. I was the first Governor to ever speak at a pro-life rally on the steps of the state house of New Jersey. And I vetoed Planned Parenthood funding five times out of the New Jersey budget. (Big applause)
And I have always thought that what the people have the right to know is what you really believe and feel in your heart. And so people make certain assumptions because you’re from New Jersey, I mean, because you’re a Republican from New Jersey, and what they should do is look at my record. When you look at my record on these issues, it has been strong and resolute. And, by the way, don’t believe what the media will tell you about the fact that if you are a pro-life candidate you can’t get elected. Not only did I get elected the first time in 2009, I got elected with 61 percent of the vote in 2013 as a straight-out, unabashed pro-life candidate. What they care about is what is in your heart and are you willing to fight for that.
From the stage, Christie made the swing at Walker even more clear: “You don’t say you’re pro-life in 2009 and then cut a commercial saying you’re less than that because the New York Times writes something you don’t like.”
Terry Schilling is the executive director of the American Principles in Action.
