Could #Bridgegate Hurt Christie's Chances in NH?

Most New Hampshire Republicans surveyed Thursday said they don't think the George Washington Bridge controversy will hurt New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie if he decides to seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2016.

Several polls in the past year have shown Christie as a favorite of New Hampshire Republicans. He campaigned for Mitt Romney in the Granite State on several occasions in 2012, and Nashua Telegraph political reporter Kevin Landrigan Tweeted over the weekend that Christie sent Christmas cards to top GOP officials in New Hampshire, a sign that he may be gearing up for a presidential run.

Following Christie's 2-hour press conference, Patch asked New Hampshire Republicans for their thoughts on Christie and whether the bridge controversy will impact his chances of winning the Republican presidential nomination should he decide to run.

Several of those who responded said they didn't like Christie before and still don't. But very few said they think the bridge controversy will have a significant impact on Christie's chances here in New Hampshire.

"Although I think this is a pretty big scandal, the fact of the matter is, in politics, everyone seems to have a pretty short memory, and stories seem to have a pretty short shelf life," former Republican State Sen. Ray White of Bedford said. "As someone who is a political junkie, I myself think this story is very significant, and I will not forget it, but as for the average voter, I don't think it will have any bearing after a few months."

Here's what other New Hampshire Republicans had to say about the controversy:

Former State Rep. Lee Quandt of Exeter: I don't think it will hurt him, it might hurt some of his staff that thought it up and did it.

State Rep. Joseph Sweeney of Salem: Gov. Christie showed strong leadership with his handling of the controversy. He spoke out about the issue, fired some of his top staff, ripped open the investigation in the matter, and took charge. The leadership he exhibited today will be a strong asset when going into the Presidential Primary 2 years from now. In New Hampshire, I expect his leadership style will be warmly welcome. No one candidate is perfect, certainly, but I feel that the coming days will, in the long run, benefit Gov. Christie and his aspirations. The American people need, and deserve, an executive that will take charge on issues and show political courage, and Gov. Christie has certainly demonstrated that ability.

Ed Brooks of Salem: I feel Chris Christie may have been set up for a fall, and if not to make him look bad. I would support him if he decides to run for President. He is forthright and open and tells it like is, not like those back stabbing Democrats!  

Republican activist Christopher Tremblay: Christine is a RINO. That alone is enough to damage him among those who vote in a  Republican primary. I think the Fort Lee issue provides some short term fodder for the mainstream media anxious to damage any Republican and perhaps some glee to conservatives watching Christine squirm. This is not enough to kill his presidential ambitions in the cradle.

William Boyd III of Merrimack: I listened to the press conference in its entirety. I suppose if a reporter asked him a question about the series premiere of Downton Abbey then the Governor probably would answered it or dismissed it. He was going to answer anything and everything. The press conference reminded me of the West Wing episode where Alan Alda's character, Sen. Arnold Vinick, held a press conference on the nuclear plant meltdown in his home state of California. Vinick, then, proceeded to talk and answer all of the media's questions to the point of boredom. Christie's press conference had that quality. He left the media with nothing remaining to ask. From my vantage point, he technically fired three people today: Kelly, Wildstein & Stepien. That's pretty decisive. Even though he wasn't privy to the deeds done to the citizens of Fort Lee by his aides, he assumed and accepted responsibility. That's leadership. He was going to Fort Lee to apologize to the Mayor & the citizens. For someone who has been characterized as a bully, that gesture exuded humility. The subpoenas that will result? He's a former US Attorney. He wants answers. And, he said he'd open up his office for the inquiry. That's transparency. And, in the eyes of many watching President Obama's inept handling of the ACA rollout, NSA, Benghazi, the IRS, et al, Christie came across very effectively ("gubernatorial") and handled the media with aplomb and sincerity despite these trying circumstances. The one quibble is this: he's been portrayed as a "hands-on" manager. Yet, he stated that he can't be checking up on everyone in his administration. The question will be how or why he never got wind of this. I do believe him when he says he was misled, lied to, misinformed, etc. But, it begs the question whether or not he will surround himself with people that he can trust. This'll be a question that dogs him: can you Truncated, continuing... Can he be trusted to appoint trustworthy people? I think he can. The comment about the abject stupidity of his aides illustrates that. And, their actions are bush league politics, something by which is not in Christie's philosophical political playbook. Voters will judge Christie in the whole. This is his first blip. It better be his only blip.

Merrimack GOP Town Committee Chairman Chris Buda: The GWB Bridge-Fort Lee issue could be an issue if it is proven that Christie himself was involved in the decision making. Of course being a potential front runner for the GOP Pres nomination leaves Christie open to attacks from everybody with an ax to grind.

Janet Aitken of Bedford: It is amazing and ironic, what with all the corruption and criminality coming out of the White House these days, the press has time to focus on some insignificant thing like this, as similar things likely happens a numerous times a day with any number of politicians across the country. That said, most grassroots conservatives we talk to everyday would never have considered the quasi-conservative Christie even before this. In fact we have yet to meet one who would support him in a primary. His chumminess with Obama and the Democrats, his support for amnesty, his anti-second amendment attitudes, and his loyalty to foreign lobbyists are among some of the reasons why. As long as the media keeps promoting him as a possible 'frontrunner' NH voters will become more motivated to divert a Christie candidacy, which if successful, would no doubt lead to another GOP disaster in 2016.

Stephen Ludwick of Concord: I streamed his press conference today and I really think he took the bull by the horns. He was direct, honest, decisive and appropriately apologetic. He appears to be acting like a leader! He's got a difficult situation on his hands and I think he's meeting each step head on and will resolve it without any damage to his 2016 bid. I know that he is currently my candidate of choice.

Former State Rep. Chris Christensen of Merrimack: From a press point of view, this should be yesterday's story. So it will run for another day or until there is a lost puppy story that would have similar importance and takes over.  I sure haven't seen the emails that prove it was planned as opposed to idle speculation along the lines of "what if we did this...?" and somebody did it. Or traffic was a coincidence and the emails were extrapolated into a plan. Nevertheless, a head rolled, and some will learn that email, twitter, Facebook and the like are close to being in the public domain, even if you think nobody can overhear you. Most campaigns go through some staff turnover. I don't see that this will have any impact on a Christie campaign, unless he himself says something thoughtless and stacks several more thoughtless acts on top. When it gets to the level of a general election, there will be many more significant issues to bring up and deal with. In sum, a non-story in New Hampshire as far as the primary goes and a forgotten staffer in the general election.

Steve Poschmann of Bedford: I think Chris Christie presidential ambitions in the wake of the highway lane controversy depends on whether he can successfully distance himself from the actions of his subordinates.  From what I saw in today’s press conference, he fared well. He looked confident and employed his usual straight-talking swagger. The question is whether any additional evidence will come out that links Christie closer to the scandal. If so, he’s toast. Given how the news of this story spread like wildfire in a single day, if it turns out he knows more than he is letting on, the consequences will be great.

Republican activist Shari King: As a still registered Republican (soon to be registered Libertarian) I abhor him!! He would never get my vote even before this fiasco which I’m pretty sure he knew all about. Never liked the guy and never would have voted for him before or after bridge gate!

Republican activist Scott Ives: For me… The story reinforces the notion that he is just another politician, and perhaps a bully… his apology was well done, but one remembers, that he has higher aspirations, and that makes it somewhat suspect. I am not interested in him as the nominee!

State Rep. David Murotake of Nashua: I do not support Gov Christie as a nominee for the GOP nomination to begin with. That being said, I believe the scandal may hurt him in the Primary, and definitely hurt him in the General election, should he become the nominee. The "damage control" actions he took today, firing the "presumably guilty" staffer and promising "heads will roll", may somewhat mitigate the damage. 

Former State Rep. candidate Robert Boyle of North Hampton: As a current NH resident who grew up in NJ and who still visits my friends and family in NJ frequently, I can speak with some authority on this subject. Chris Christie is a colorful character, but he is very divisive and he tends to simplify matters too much and vilify people and ideas which are grey into black and white which may appeal to his base, but it alienates many others who could be brought to his side and way of thinking. Christie is no friend to freedom. New Jersey is one of the highest taxed and least economically and socially free states in the country. NJ is full of corruption and local and state governments are dominated by public sector unions. Christie does not have finesse or grace and I think his abrupt and rude tone and demeanor is ok for rough and tumble NJ, but I can’t see him appealing to a broad group of Americans. I think if the Republican party is going to ever win a presidential election again, they need to field a candidate with broad appeal. This person must have clean record of previous business and public service, polished manners, and be a great public speaker. They should also be socially tolerant or liberal and fiscally responsible and able to articulate why they hold these positions and explain the morality and economics behind their pro-freedom positions. They will also need to set a positive tone for the country and clearly explain a vision for a brighter future and the steps they will take to help position us for a better future for all Americans. I don’t think Christie has any of these qualities in sufficient quantity to make him viable on the national stage.

State Rep. Peter Hansen of Amherst: It has the potential to hurt him somewhat IF it is determined he had knowledge. On the other hand we are still awaiting information on accountability for the Obama care fiasco's and Benghazi and the IRS scandals!

State Rep. John Cebrowski of Bedford: It has not hurt his chances... it will help him because of the way he handled it.

Former State Rep. Spec Bowers: The "controversy" is a bunch of nothing. I am not favorable toward Christie but the insane media reaction might tilt me toward, not away, from Christie. The media ignore the IRS politically-motivated attacks on conservatives. They ignore Benghazi where people were murdered. They ignore all sorts of really bad actions by high-level members of the Obama administration, then they complain about traffic jams that might have been caused by underlings in the Christie administration. Give me a break. They are going out of their way to reemphasize how partisan they are.

State Rep. Kathleen Stroud of Merrimack: This event has not changed my admiration of Chris Christie. He has taken control of a bad situation, which he had no part in orchestrating, and is showing true leadership and command. This is what we need in a President. No spin, no excuses, just action and truth. This is my candidate for 2016.