Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey was Mitt Romney’s initial pick for running mate but the GOP nominee suddenly changed his mind just days before an announcement was to be made, according to a new report by
Politico.
Plans were even made to reveal the selection in late July, shortly before Romney headed off for his foreign tour which included the London Olympics, campaign insiders told the website.
But when Romney returned he had changed his mind and suddenly Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan was in and Christie was out, Politico reports.
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Romney advisers loved the idea of Christie on the campaign trail as Romney’s running mate, delivering the Republican message in a way
which would connect with working class male voters, especially in blue collar areas.
“Mitt liked him because he saw him as a street fighter,” a Romney official told Politico. “It’s the kind of political mentality that Romney doesn’t have, but admires."
The reasons for Romney's change-of-heart were not revealed but insiders say that while Christie would have been a campaign asset, there were fears about how he would act as vice president. "The explosiveness had some risk," one adviser said.
Aides also got annoyed when Christie showed up late for a couple of campaign events.
This week, some Romney friends and donors have been troubled by Christie’s praise for President Barack Obama's handling of hurricane relief efforts. One adviser told Politico: “If Romney wins, it won’t be forgotten. If Romney loses, it doesn’t matter.”
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