New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says that unlike his GOP presidential competitors, he actually has appointed Supreme Court justices and has proof of how they rule.
In an interview on
"Fox News Sunday," Christie noted that he struck a deal with the Democrat-led state Legislature to re-appoint the Democrat chief justice in exchange for him being allowed to appoint three conservative Republicans.
Critics have blasted the chief justice reappointment, but Christie said he got a good deal by being able to add the three Republicans – and their ruling upholding his pension reform.
They "said in their decision that the judiciary has no business meddling in the business of the executive and legislative branches. That's in the opinion," Christie said. "If the Christie-type justices had been on that court in the majority, we would have won those cases in the Supreme Court rather than lost them.
In New Jersey, Supreme Court justices are appointed for seven-year terms after which they can be given lifetime appointments. Christie said he would favor such a system in the U.S. Supreme Court over Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's suggestion of retention elections.
Christie said he disagrees with Cruz because judges should never have to run political campaigns.
The governor also called Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul "wrong" in his opposition to NSA surveillance. Paul is making speeches and putting them on the Internet to raise money, Christie said.
"He's politicizing America’s national security," Christie said. "We can do this and protect civil liberties."
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