Chris Christie Lands Endorsement Of New Hampshire’s Biggest Newspaper

A much-needed piece of good news for his presidential campaign,New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has landed the coveted endorsement of NewHampshire’s biggest and most influentialnewspaper.

The New Hampshire Union-Leader ran a front page editorial Sundaywritten by publisher Joseph W. McQuaid titled:“For our safety, our future: Chris Christie forPresident.â€

“Our choice is Gov. ChrisChristie,†McQuaid writes. “As a U.S.attorney and then a big-state governor, he is the one candidate whohas the range and type of experience the nation desperatelyneeds.â€

In a not-so subtle reference to rival candidates like Sens. TedCruz and Marco Rubio , McQuaid wrote: “Wedon’t need another fast-talking, well-meaning freshman U.S.senator trying to run the government. We are still seeing thedisastrous effects of the last suchchoice.â€â€™

And in an apparent reference to other top polling candidateslike Donald Trump and Ben Carson, the publisher argued:“We don’t need as President somewell-meaning person from the private sector who has no publicexperience.â€

It’s unclear how much or if a newspaperendorsement — especially intoday’s media environment— can move voters. But for Christie,who is in 7th place in the Real Clear Politics polling average ofNew Hampshire polls, this could be the boost he has beenwaiting for.

Christie responded to the news of the endorsement by emphasizinghis repeated visits to the state.

In 2012, the paper endorsed Newt Gingrich’sRepublican bid. Mitt Romney went on to win thestate’s primary. But in 2008, the Union-Leaderbacked John McCain , who ended up winning thestate’s primary.

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