Christie comes under attack as he heads to Iowa
(CNN) - Two days before New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie heads to Iowa, a conservative group is launching digital ads that slam the potential 2016 Republican presidential contender over his Garden State record on judicial nominations.
A top Christie adviser defended the governor's record and criticized the group.
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The Judicial Crisis Network announced that it will go up Tuesday with digital ads that attack Christie for not making the New Jersey Supreme Court more conservative. The group says it will spend $75,000 to run 90 second and 15 second spots.
"Chris Christie promised to change New Jersey's liberal Supreme Court. Five openings later: no change. Instead: a liberal Democrat for chief justice," says the narrator in the ad.
Some conservative activists were mad at Christie for his renomination earlier this year of Democrat Stuart Rabner, the state Supreme Court chief justice. That renomination was part of a deal Christie made with the Democratic dominated state legislature that allowed him fill a court vacancy with a Republican judge.
The narrator in the 90 second digital ad goes on to say that "important issues like Obamacare are at stake in our courts. The next president of the United States may get to appoint as many as three U.S. Supreme Court nominees. A new majority. Call Chris Christie. Tell him to fight for judges who respect the rule of law."
Top Christie political adviser Mike DuHaime said the Judicial Crisis Network "should get their facts straight."
"Gov. Christie has nominated multiple conservatives to the Supreme Court but several have been blocked by the Democrat Senate. Yet, Governor Christie has still been able to get three Republicans on to the state's highest court, making it more conservative. However, this group has been noticeably absent from any judicial fight we've had in New Jersey, showing up only to criticize after the fights are over," DuHaime told CNN.
Christie, a pragmatic conservative who's willing to compromise with state Democrats to get things accomplished, is anything but a crowd favorite among some on the right. But Christie was well received last month when he spoke at the fifth annual Road to the Majority conference, a major social conservative gathering which is organized by Ralph Reed's Faith and Freedom Coalition.
Christie in spotlight at major social conservative gathering
"He's the first pro-life governor of New Jersey since Roe v. Wade. He's line-item vetoed state funding for Planned Parenthood every year he's been governor. He vetoed a same-sex marriage bill that the Democratic legislature sent him. And he's a faithful Catholic. We don't agree with him on every issue, but we wanted to give him an opportunity to share his story and make his case," Reed told CNN prior to the conference.
Christie's heads to Iowa Thursday in his role as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Christie will headline a fundraiser for longtime GOP Gov. Terry Branstad, who's running for re-election this year. Christie will also help raise money for the RGA and for Republican Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen.
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The trip will create more buzz about Christie's 2016 intentions, as Iowa's caucuses are the first contest in the race for the White House. Later this month Christie headlines a Republican Party fundraiser in New Hampshire, the state that holds the first primary in the primary and caucus calendar. It's his second trip to the Granite State in the past month.
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Brian, Christie obtained funding through investors, who were agreeing to finance a train that connects n.j and n.y. city, he the sabatoges the train project by grossly lying about its costs, then used the funding for something else, without it being approved by the investors, that's illegal, big time, and he knows it, now you do too., thanks for playing.
At this point he trying to get the investors to lie for him. Good luck!
Can' wait to see the clown shows of Republican primary.
Just another example as to why Hillary will crush in 16, the Republicans are not realists, thus they will not field a logical candidate...
Christie's nefarious doings have started to be investigated. to get a glimpse, google'" Chris Christie mafia." then google "Chris Christie Bernie Madoff" Then google "Chris Christie Bridgegate." Then try, "Chris Christie Port Authority funding." Then try "Chris Christie under funds New Jersey Pensions." Then google "Chris Christie Super Storm Sandy Funds."
These are a just few of the skeletons in Chris Christie's Closet. There are graveyards in Chris Christie's closet. If you spend a little time investigating, you will discover this man is a bully a thug and most probably a criminal. The people of New Jersey deserve that he be impeached without delay.
And to make matters worse; as Governor of New Jersey, Christie once smiled at an African American.
No way are the Jesus loving good Conservatives going to back him.
Which just gives Hillary the keys to the White House.
actually the more wacko far right groups like this attack christie the more his chances for president are improved
When you are being trashed by the extremists in your party, you must be doing something right.
I think it's high time the media stop referring to the lunatic fringe of the Republican party as conservatives. Obama is a conservative. People like Cruz and Rubio are anarchists. If they had their way they'd abolish government and go back to the good old days when robber barons did what they pleased and people settled their differences with guns. We can't afford to have another banana Republican in the White House. The country still hasn't recovered from the damage the last one did.
Christy just needs to admit he's a democrat and get it over with.
Bob... they may be the dumbest statement I have ever read here... you have had 6 years to fix the issues with your beloved administration. I thought we were promised change? How is is working out for most Americans anyways? all this wonderful change. Stop blaming Repubs... Its all of their faults...
Christie has NO chance in 2016 – Ted Cruz already has the nomination locked up.
Looking forward to the Republican Dog and Pony show, their primaries are great entertainment. And when it is over they will look around at the wreckage and choose an electable candidate; probably Christie or maybe Bush. That will likely put Hilary in office though, if she doesn't run, who knows?
Don't hear much out of butterball these days!
When Republicans are not whining about "activist judges" they are openly trying to fill the courts with them. Everything about today's GOP is formed from lies and hypocrisy. It's no wonder they are so destructive in leadership positions.
I love it when they attack their own.
Christie should run as a democrat, they seem to love him more.
Christie is irrelevant right now!
This is Wall Streets man. They don't want Rand Paul,
You better slow your roll fellow Republicans. President Christie has a sharp mind and is going to remember you after the election. Look at what he did to the City of Fort Lee, NJ, on the George Washington Bridge. You don't want to cross him.
I don't consider this crop of conservatives much. All they seem to do is whine and complain. I haven't heard for years new ideas come forth!
We need to upgrade our patent, copyright system. The legislation is blocked by the Republicans in committee. I think that there is a lot of better ideas to come, but I don't think their enough bright conservatives out there, because they are to busy whining and complaining to help the legislation. I think President Obama has done a decent job with the group of obstructionist in the House and Senate.
Go, Christie, you are better a boat load of conservatives!
The GOP Primary season is going to be a doozy........and most likely a GOP? Tea party split to a 3rd Party......thus handing the election over to whatever democrat who wants to run........ Biden, Warren, Clinton or even Paul Begala.
Would be great to see a Clinton/Warren ticket.