His name wasn’t even on the ballot — but New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
was among the biggest winners on Election Day.
The tough-talking chairman of the Republican Governors Association took
a victory lap Wednesday after GOP candidates swept a series of closely watched
gubernatorial races.
“I love that map this morning,” Christie said on Fox News, gazing at a predominantly
red map of the U.S. showing the gubernatorial races.
The appearance came as part of a five-network national TV blitz — a big
boost for the possible 2016 presidential candidate.
Overall, the GOP increased its number of governorships from 29 to 31.
Christie trumpeted gubernatorial victories in Democratic-leaning states,
including Maryland, Massachusetts and Illinois.
He was also gloating over wins in swing states such as Florida,
Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio — all places where he campaigned hard.
“It’s always about the candidates, and the candidates deserve the
credit,” Christie told Matt Lauer on the “Today” show, striking a humble tone.
“As (Republican Governors Association) chairman, here’s what you do:
You raise money, you raise awareness. And the candidates have to do with that
what they will.”
Raise money he did — to the tune of more than $100 million.
Christie also spread himself around, visiting 37 states during the
campaign and 19 in the last five days alone.
“I got elected by my fellow governors to be chairman in a year when we
had to defend two-thirds of the seats,” Christie said on “Today.”
"Remember, nine of the seats we defended, the President won twice.
We won eight of those nine.”
Christie brushed aside questions about his presidential aspirations.
But he didn’t shy away from queries over how his combative tone might play
nationally.
In the latest display of his bullying style, Christie made headlines
last week when he told a Hurricane Sandy victim shouting questions at a news
conference to “sit down and shut up.”
“I’m not going to change who I am — not for anybody,” Christie said on
CNN’s “New Day.”
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