Mitt Romney’s Momentous Endorsement: NJ Gov Chris Christie
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will endorse former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney today, two sources familiar with the situation confirmed to the Fix.Mitt Romney encouraged and supported Chris Christie to run for the NJ gubernatorial seat long before Christie was publicly known.
The endorsement will come later this afternoon at the Courtyard Marriott in Hanover, New Hampshire, according to the sources, just hours before the presidential candidates gather at Dartmouth College for the seventh debate of the GOP nomination fight.
[...]
Christie’s backing should provide a major boost to Romney who has been making the case for weeks that he is the best — and perhaps only — candidate who can beat President Obama in 2012.Christie, a favorite of tea party and establishment types alike, has emphasized the need for the GOP to nominate someone not who they agree with on every issue but rather someone who can win.
Christie will attend tonight’s Republican debate in New Hampshire as Romney’s guest. The Romney campaign had announced the former Massachusetts governor would address supporters this afternoon with a “special guest.”
…[I]t gives Romney a major lift as the GOP field has settled; Christie was one of the most sought-after surrogates of the 2010 campaign, including a well-attended stop in Iowa.
Christie’s endorsement comes one day after Romney announced the support of two establishment Republicans — former New Hampshire senator and governor Judd Gregg, and former Florida senator and Republican National Committee chair Mel Martinez.
(emphasis added )
To say this is a KEY endorsement for Governor Romney is an understatement. All of us at MRC couldn’t be happier!
Stay tuned; if a livefeed of the formal announcement this afternoon is available, we’ll post it here.
► Jayde Wyatt
UPDATE by Nate – From NRO:
A Romney aide says Christie and Romney have been in touch for several months.
“They’ve been talking off and on since the spring,” the aide says. “On Saturday, Mitt and Ann had a chance to spend personal time with Gov. Christie and his wife at their home in New Jersey, and Gov. Christie told Mitt at that meeting he was going to endorse him.”
UPDATE2 by Nate – Rudy Giuliani announces “I’m not running in 2012″
“If it’s too late for Chris Christie, it’s too late for me.”
UPDATE3 by Nate – Chris Christie is standing with Mitt… WILL YOU?
UPDATE 4 by Jayde – TwitPic taken by Eric Fehrnstrom:
TwitPic taken by Eric Fehrnstrom - Romney/Christie press conference in Hanover, NH where Gov Christie formally announced his endorsement of Gov Romney. Oct 11, 2011
THANK YOU, GOVERNOR CHRISTIE!
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YES!! Great timing also.
Awesome… Jayde….Great job….you are a wonder….We have been loyal and true…Let this country be blessed…with the best of the best….thx….for yet another great article…
Come on in Rubio,Haley and DeMint. The water is fine!
Romney ! We love you:)
What an excellent endorsement!
Mitt is a Democrat that will distroy this country!!@john
Go Mitt….We are all here for ya, and won’t quit until you are elected the next POTUS 2012
Jayde nice job drudging up this endorsement!
Whoo HOO!!
This is a grand day for Mitt! Raise the roof!
Now, on to the debate tonight…
This is the beginning of the end of all other candidate’s chances. GO MITT!
Romney is running this campaign too well. Save some action for later, Mitt.
Romney will be the best president ever and the most presidential.
It’s a great day for him. We love you, Mitt.
Open your eyes, America. Listen with your soul. By this time, tomorrow, you should know in your heart of hearts, that Gov. Mitt Romney is the best candidate to become the Republican nominee for President, and the NEXT President of the United States of America. He needs your support. He certainly has mine. Now is not the time to twiddle your thumbs. I’m not asking you to jump on any bandwagon. Gov. Romney is the ‘Real Deal’, with honorable family values, keen experience and knowledge in both foreign and domestic issues, and a burning love for this Country, that labels him as a true American Patriot. Never in my life, until now, have I ever seen a candidate as Presidential, as what Gov. Romney has shown himself to be. Not by boasting, but by his honesty and his natural demeanor. This is a man who will turn this Country around and restore this Land to the greatness that our forefathers had intended. He is truly a godsend. America needs a man of his caliber at the helm. What more can I say? The real choice is yours to make, so make it wisely. Bond Destiny!
If Gov. Romney is nominated I can see honestly see the strong possiblilty of the end of the gridlock in congress. I believe he will be good for the country in so many ways. His caliber of character and integrity will be a very good example for the rest of government servants. I applaude Gov. Christie’s rock solid support of Mitt Romney and his abilities. I dislike saying anything negative about any of the republican canidates but after seeing Gov. Perry’s performance last night I know he wouldn’t stand a chance against Pres. Oboma. Mitt on the other hand could do very well and draw in the independants as well.