While Gingrich Debates, Romney Earns Cold, Hard, Cash in N.J.
EmailWhile GOP frontrunner Newt Gingrich participated in a Lincoln-Douglas debate with Jon Huntsman in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney had already slipped out of the Granite State after a day of campaigning and into the arms of some very generous supporters.
As much as $1.1 million was reportedly raised at a much-anticipated fundraiser this evening in Parsippany, N.J., which was hosted by N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, who endorsed Romney in October.
“Welcome to Morris County. Welcome to New Jersey. And New Jersey tonight is officially Mitt Romney country,” Christie said, introducing Romney this evening.
“As you’ve watched Gov. Romney perform over the last number of months in the many debates that our Republican presidential candidates have participated in, the things that are constant in Gov. Romney’s performances are things that will be constants in his presidency,” Christie said, according to a pool report from the event.
Christie said Romney has the “integrity of his principles.”
Romney also spoke to the crowd of about 500, joking that New Jersey must have a problem with border security as he noticed New Yorkers in the crowd. (Romney makes a similar joke when he sees residents from Massachusetts at events in New Hampshire).
“There are more Republicans here than my whole state,” Romney told the crowd, before heaping praise on Christie.
“This guy’s just amazing. The whole nation’s watching this guy,” Romney said.
And they are: When Christie traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, last week on behalf of the former Massachusetts governor he could not escape questions about his own desire to run for president.
Even earlier today, at a diner in Manchester, the town’s mayor, Ted Gatsas, asked Romney to bring Christie out on the trail in New Hampshire.
Gatsas joked that Christie makes him look “dwarfed,” which is one reason he’d like to campaign next to him.
“He’s better than a diet!” Romney roared.
On the menu tonight at the fundraiser? Tacos, fajitas, guacamole, roast beef and ziti.
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Did Christie really say that Romney has “the integrity of his principles”?
LOL.
Posted by: Mary | December 12, 2011, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm
No to Gingrich. No to harlots running the White House.
The Grinch needs to give back the 100′s of millions he stole from the American taxpayers as a lobbyist, and not use the excuse that he was born with a heart ‘two times too small’.
Posted by: Don | December 13, 2011, 12:14 am 12:14 am
I’d rather eat at home and save my money, after checking out that menu.
Posted by: Grinch | December 13, 2011, 6:51 am 6:51 am
Gingrich is working for Pelosi. He and low life like Huckabee have already damaged Romney making it unlikely that there will be a viable republican candidate.
We need a 3rd party. Republicans are too damaged to select a good candidate.
Posted by: welldirected | December 13, 2011, 7:28 am 7:28 am
let’s not forget that obama is no bargain either. there are already several other parties but none ring with the majority of U.S. citizens. there is the libertarian party, peace and freedom party and forget what other candidates show up on the ballot for other parties. obama is running unchallenged so all are stuck with obama on the ballot whether they love him or not. as of today, the republicans will either nominate mitt or newt. if either selects a lame-o for vp, then probably moderate and centrist voters of any party will vote for obama just like last time. mccain shot himself in the foot when he selected palin. if the republican nominee selects the likes of christie, perry, bachmann, etc., the nominee will lose to obama. but surely let’s not forget that obama is no bargain.
Posted by: david | December 13, 2011, 8:29 am 8:29 am
I like it that Romney seems a thoroughly decent human being. I like it that, although wealthy, he evidently HATES the idea of wasting money. I’m happy that he has made comments about turning certain things in the Federal government back to the states, and, of course, that he has vowed to provide each state with a waiver to opt out of ObamaCare on day 1 of his presidency; and then will work with congress to get it repealed. That all sounds good to me. I like his positions on almost all the issues. I think Romney will have a GOOD relationship with the business community and can get them hiring again, with a combination of his policies and their trust in those policies. I also think he will probably play better with Independents and women than Newt.
Posted by: Red in Denver | December 13, 2011, 11:36 am 11:36 am