Some of Iowa’s top Republican campaign contributors, unhappy with their choices in the developing presidential field, are venturing to New Jersey in hopes they can persuade first-term Gov. Chris Christie to run. The entreaty is the latest sign of dissatisfaction within the GOP over the crop of candidates competing for the chance to run against President Obama in 2012.
Bruce Rastetter, an Iowa energy company executive, and a half-dozen other prominent Iowa GOP donors, sought the meeting with Christie, said the governor’s chief political adviser, Mike DuHaime.
The get-together is set for the governor’s mansion in Princeton on May 31.
The meeting speaks to what some Republicans nationally say is a lack of enthusiasm concerning the roster of contenders. It’s also unusual because candidates typically court Iowans, who get the first say in presidential nominating contests, and not the other way around.
Christie, elected in 2009 and who has drawn national attention for his tough talk and battles with Democrats, has repeatedly rejected the idea of running. Yet that hasn’t deterred these Iowans.
“There isn’t anyone like Chris Christie on the national scene for Republicans,” Rastetter said. “And so we believe that he, or someone like him, running for president is very important at this critical time in our country.”
It’s not the first instance this year of Iowa Republicans seeking to widen the 2012 field. A former state party chairman, Steve Grubbs, approached Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels’ top aide last month. Daniels expects to say in a few weeks whether he will enter the race.
Nationally, Republican donors have encouraged ex-Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush, brother of former President George W. Bush, to reconsider his decision not to run. There’s also talk of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, as a possible entrant.
The mission by Rastetter is significant because it reflects the lengths to which some in Iowa will go to have more options as they choose a Republican to challenge Obama. More from AP.
Christie,
Please stay in NJ. We need you to continue fixing NJ’s finances.
Hopefully we will elect a good conservative to be the next President. But Christie must stay here in NJ.
Remember, Iowa nailed Rubashkin. Let’s hope these Republicans are better than the Iowa Libtard Judges.
Christie needs to get out of office all together. He is effecting the public schools and Law Enforcement. The crime rate has already gone up and the education will eventually go down. By the time his term ends NJ will be the state with the highest taxes, highest crime rates, and the lowest school test schools! Appetite for disaster….
If they like him in Iowa let them keep him there. He’s the worst governor in over 40 years. IMPEACH CHRISTIE!
i want to see his birth certificate first.
THINK N J needs to worry if Governor Christie decides to run, remember, how in the beginning he spent more time on Tv and traveling getting into the National exposure.
Hope he is finding some jobs for a jump start in our economy here in New Jersey.
WHERE IS THE TAX BREAK FOR THE RESIDENTS OF N J, ONLY FOR THE MILLIONAIRES.
You are misleading the public by claiming that Christie gave tax breaks to millionaires.
All he did was refuse to enact a NEW tax on millionaires. Every time some Democrat comes up with a new tax, and Christie says “No way”, you guys claim that Christie is giving tax breaks to millionaires. STOP LYING TO THE PEOPLE.
Corzine would have raised taxes on EVERYONE incuding poor people. Corzine wanted to raise the tolls on the Turnpike and Parkway, which would have affected middle class and poor.
Christie hasn’t cut anyone’s taxes, and he hasn’t raised anyone’s taxes. But he balanced the budget by cutting spending. GREAT JOB CHRISTIE!!!
You want Christie to start lowering taxes for all New Jerseyans, including poor and middle class?
First let him finish cutting all the benefits and government programs for people who don’t work, and then the state will be able to cut our taxes.
CHRISTIE, the silent majority is with you!!!!!
STAY IN NJ where we need you!