July 10, 2009
Posted: July 10th, 2009 03:12 PM ET
She may be a hit with the base, but she won't be hitting the trail for Christie.
She may be a hit with the base, but she won't be hitting the trail for Christie.

(CNN) - New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie says he won't invite Sarah Palin to join him on the campaign trail.

"This is about New Jersey issues and New Jersey, and I don't think having Gov. Palin here would do me, or frankly the state, a whole lot of good in the sense that we need to talk and focus on what the New Jersey issues are," Christie said during a radio interview on New Jersey 101.5 FM. CNN confirmed his comments with Christie's campaign.

Following Palin's stunning announcement that she would be stepping down as Alaska governor later this month, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele issued a statement saying that she "will be very helpful to the Party this year as we wage critical campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey."

But in Virginia, where Republican Bob McDonnell is running in a tight race against Democrat Creigh Deeds, McDonnell's campaign this week would not say if the 2008 vice presidential nominee had been invited to join him on the trail. In an interview earlier this week with ABC News.com, McDonnell praised Palin but stopped short of actually inviting her to campaign in Virginia.

Christie's announcement follows similar comments from Republican State Chairman Assemblyman Jay Webber.

While not asking for Palin's help, Christie, a former federal prosecutor, did say in his radio interview that he hopes former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who campaigned for Christie in the primary, will return to New Jersey.

"I hope Mayor Giuliani will continue to be supportive and be here and work with me, but other than that, I think the people of New Jersey have to hear from me," said Chrstie.

Christie leads in the most recent polls in New Jersey over Democrat Jon Corzine, the incumbent governor who's running for re-election. President Barack Obama will join Corzine at a campaign rally next Thursday.

–CNN's Paul Steinhauser and Peter Hamby contributed to this report

Filed under: Sarah Palin


Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   July 10th, 2009 11:03 am ET

If McDonnell was smart, he would keep Palin at bay. If that woman steps foot in VA, he can kiss the election goodbye.

citizenjane   July 10th, 2009 11:02 am ET

Cautiously optimistic that Rush might change Christie's mind and force Christy to invite her. After all . . . Rush had Steele revise his statement that Palin was more suitable to run in 2016, causing Steele to accept the possibility of a 2012 scenario.

The GOPs newest threat is what to DO with pesky Palin? You betcha she is here to stay.

Larry   July 10th, 2009 11:02 am ET

No canidate in their right mind would drag this dead cat around with them

It did not work for McCain, why would it work for anyone else

Her efforts are only to better the cash in her wallet

She could care less about America or Americans

katiec   July 10th, 2009 10:59 am ET

Gosh, a republican who seems to have some intelligence. Will wonders never cease.

johnrj08   July 10th, 2009 10:58 am ET

Christie is smart to stear clear of Palin during his campaign. He knows that the only reason she would be there is to promote herself. I think most Republicans understand what Palin's limitations are and they don't want to be associated with her stridency and inadequacies.

Shawn - GA   July 10th, 2009 10:54 am ET

Once again, I love how a Palin post gets over 300 comments in minutes.

If someone really is an idiot and useless, than don't pay them any attention. However if you have a fear than you will take time and effort to be sure and try and rip them down.

If you really want her to go away, stop posting about her and CNN and the rest will see there is no interest and move on….

You just can't do it though can you? :-)

Skeeve   July 10th, 2009 10:54 am ET

YEah... sounds like a very polite way to say the since the average IQ of NJ voters is 30% higher then former governor Palin's it will be better for republicans in NJ to keep Palin..... somewhere else.

Rafael   July 10th, 2009 10:53 am ET

I can see that! Rudy should be of much help than Palin. Keep Palin for states like Ohio, NC, VA, so so, The notheast was not really Palin's strong hold but, Rudy will help.

GI Joe   July 10th, 2009 10:52 am ET

I think it's a good idea for other states to keep her away. As a registered Independent, I find her hate and fear-mongering a bit over the top.

We need people that will work in a positive way to make things better for people - on the people that want to control everything thru hate and fear.

KILL HIM KILL HIM being yelled at her ralies totally convinced me that she knows no God that I've ever heard of.

Sniffit   July 10th, 2009 10:52 am ET

Help? I wouldn't ask the woman to go get me a coffee.

watching   July 10th, 2009 10:50 am ET

Sarah was prayed over and blessed to do "Gods work" as a governor

so God blessed her to be governor for the people.......and she quit

Blue Dog   July 10th, 2009 10:47 am ET

Good plan Christie. People in New Jersey can actually read and think for themselves so having Failin' Palin show up to "help" would be like tossing an anchor to a drowning man. I'm sure down South in banjo country Faux News Princess Palin will actually be a boon to McDonnell since Southerners can no longer read, write or think critically and are becoming ever more obese like their idol Limbaugh while sitting on their sofas listening to Fixed News.

carol   July 10th, 2009 10:47 am ET

Now there's a smarft man – staying away from Palin.

Craig Simpson   July 10th, 2009 10:43 am ET

Any republican asking for palin's help is making a mistake. She is a liability! It is a lot like throwing gasoline on a fire when you are trying to put it out.

Truth-Bomb Thrower   July 10th, 2009 10:43 am ET

I'm willing to bet there will be a lot of democrats who will NOT be asking for campaign help from Obama as 2010 draws near and the campaign contiunes to falter. Let's see how much of an emphasis CNN puts on that.

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