(CNN) - Republican Sen. John McCain issued a warning Sunday about presidential politics to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is reportedly considering entering the GOP presidential nominating contest.
Although the 2008 GOP presidential nominee praised the first-term governor’s record in the Garden State, he also said the potential late entry would put Christie at a political disadvantage.
“I think he’s done a great job as governor. I think he’d be a very viable candidate,” McCain said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” But “let’s remember he’s starting from way behind in fund-raising and organization and other areas.”
McCain, Arizona’s senior senator, warned of a “flavor of the month” climate as Republicans prepare choose their nominee to face President Barack Obama in 2012.
“I think that there is a bit of a caution. … The swimming pool looks a lot better until you jump right in,” McCain said. “The water may not be quite as warm as you think.”
McCain expressed optimism about several top GOP elected officials, including Christie, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, senators Marco Rubio of Florida, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Mark Kirk of Illinois, and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire. He also mentioned representatives Eric Cantor of Virginia and Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.
“We have the deepest bench in the Republican Party now that I have ever seen in my lifetime,” McCain said. “And I think that we have a, a good crop of candidates. I think the party will rally around the nominee.”
From CNN Politics
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McCain should be advising him to be very careful picking his running mate. Because as happened for McCain, a lot of the electorate is going to see in Christie a man in very poor health with a greater potential for cardiac problems than average due to his obesity. People are going to be voting for his VP as much as for Christie.
What! McCain doesn't give any of the currently running Republican presidential candidates credit for their efforts. He knows Obama will be re-elected.
Sounds to me like he is terrified of the competition Christie would give him. What an idiot.
Deep bench, eh? What king of game do you think this is? It doesn't matter who is in waiting, it matters who is on the court/field now, and right now the Republican party is running their fourth string.
God help us if this bunch of radical gain total power. The gang of 400 will complete the destruction of the middle class and turn us into serf working at the pleasure of the Man. If you think the Repugs have the best interest of the American voter in mind then I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I will sell you cheap.
Christie would also be a big health rick for the GOP! A heart attack just waiting to happen!
It would be funny, though, I've got to admit. I think Christie would not play well on the national stage. He is often rude and short with people, and while some of it is amusing to watch, I think people with decent sensibilities will weary of his abrasive persona very quickly. I think he would become a major gaffe machine, which might be amusing.
And eyeah, if he's being rushed to the hospital over stress from governing NJ, how will he govern the whole country. I'm doubting his fitness level will improve on the campaign trail, either. Nobody wants a wheezing, sweaty, morbidly obese man with a mean streak in the WH. That might not be PC to say, but I think it's the cold truth.
It's too late for Christie or anybody else to enter. The GOP will just have to make do with who they've got, none of whom can defeat Obama. They'll just pick the one least likely to get completely buried (probably Romney) and look forward to 2016.
McCain has done more for his country and has more common sense than any of you hateful little Libtards or your glorious leader. If he had won the election, the hard choices would have been made and this country would be on the road to recovery instead of on the road to ruin.
you must be on an acid trip. these republican candidates are more clownish than had they come from a clown school.
McCain after plagging Palin on this nation you shouldnt be giving advice to anyone! That said Christy would get eaten alive by your own side who with your fav Canter think hes too liberal cause for once he put the people of NJ first during Irene. Hes a terrable Gov. the people of NJ hate him. He wont get a 2nd term if they dont recall him first! Obama 2012
McCain's advice on elections? Yeah, take that to the bank.
“I think he’s done a great job as governor. I think he’d be a very viable candidate,” McCain said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
How is Christie a "viable candidate?" He wheezes after walking 100 feet, he sweats after walking 50 feet and if he ends up being the GOP nominee, he'll have a coronary after walking 20 feet. Christie can't jot up and down the steps of Air Force One the way President Obama does. He'll need an escalator!
The idiot who uncorked the genie bottle with Palin is cautioning anyone on anything?!
"Ticker: McCain's election warning"
This time don't pick a quitter from Alaska as your running mate
It's very interesting reading all of the soclalist commmentary regarding the potential Republican candidates. I thought I was on the MSNBC website.
The Republican primaries are turning out to be every bit the circus I expected they would be!! It's so much fun! And it'll get even more fun in the general election!
Thank you for giving us Palin!!!
Christie eats too much,the GOP is nervous,they no the only thing they can get Obama on is the economy,and it will get better in early 2012..
I could go to any neighborhood shopping mall on any snowy tuesday in any city in America and find fifty people who would make a better president than any of the Konservative Krazees who are participating in the Republican candidates' debate adding Christie and Palin into consideration.
If this is the cream of the Republican crop, I say "What the hell happened to the party of Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Eisenhower?"
Hang your heads in shame, Republicans
An old man…bitter, and only in the Senate because of his wife's money… By the by, don't play the hero card….he was shot down and captured…hardly a hero like the young people who have won medals of honor.
McCain is a loser.
You remember the actions of the character Tony Soprano in the TV series The Sopranos? Well, the actor who played Tony was James Gandolfini was he ever great in the role. He played Tony so well it reminded people of the pit bull antics of Chris Christie. We don't need an outraged bull like Christie in the White House.
Is that old coot basically saying y'all don't vote for the late comers to the party...even is his darling Sara throws her betcha better pay me self in the race. That's a sad lot of contenders even if Cairo bu Barbie and Dough Boy join the race.
McCain could actually give Christie some advice on being friendly and working with the other side. Christie really hasn't changed his mind set to being an administrator. That is his problem. He doesn't know that he needs to work with the legislature. That is something that McCain could let Christie know.