Chris Christie tells 'The View' it's hard to change GOP 'by yourself' as he reflects on failed campaign
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Chris Christie claimed that the GOP primary race "was over the night of the first debate" during his appearance on the February 8 episode of 'The View.'
After dropping out of the race on January 10, the former governor of New Jersey said that he stood by his opinions, and would not have changed anything if given a chance.
Chris Christie's take on the GOP presidential race
Responding to co-host Joy Behar's question on whether he wanted to make any changes to his last campaign after reflection, Christie said that he would not want that.
"What (the campaign) shows is that it is a really hard job to change a party, and you can't do it by yourself," he stated.
"The big reflection I have is that the race ... was over the night of the first debate," he continued, explaining, "It was the biggest audience we've ever had, the people ... who were watching were people who were at least willing to consider somebody (other than Trump)."
"And when 6 of the 8 people raised their hands and said 'I would support (Trump) even if he is a convicted felon,' what it told the voters was (that) it is okay, being a convicted felon is okay - it's normal behavior," he added.
No one standing up to Donald Trump in public
Christie slammed members of the GOP for not calling out former President Trump in public and always keeping their criticisms behind closed doors.
"In private, Republicans in the House, the Senate, Governors... all say to you, 'He (Trump) is awful. It is an abomination, it is going to be terrible.' But none of them have the guts to stand up," claimed the former federal prosecutor.
"Because they love their title more than they love their country... They're worried about a primary, they're worried about him coming out against them."
"What they should learn is that what you're going to be really judged for over the long haul is what you stand for - who you are and what you stand for," he emphasized. "And they are going to have to live with having been with him."
.@GovChristie tells #TheView the GOP primary race "was over the night of the first debate" when six out of the eight candidates said they'd back Donald Trump if he was a convicted felon.
— The View (@TheView) February 8, 2024
"It told the voters ... being a convicted felon is okay." pic.twitter.com/OnmeYgXYTD
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