Quinnipiac: Christie First Choice of Alternative Candidates

Some Republicans continue to pine for an alternative to the party’s four candidates vying for the presidential nomination. A new Quinnipiac University poll shows that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie would be the No. 1 choice if a new candidate were chosen.


The survey of Republican and Republican-leaning independent voters indicates that 48 percent think it’s bad for the party if a candidate hasn’t amassed a majority of delegates by the August convention, while 37 percent don’t see a problem there.


If the confab in Tampa, Fla., does decide on a new candidate, 32 percent of respondents want it to be Christie. There’s a two-way tie for second place, with former Govs. Sarah Palin of Alaska and Jeb Bush of Florida garnering 20 percent support apiece. Then comes Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels with 15 percent.

Christie acknowledged on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Tuesday that some Republicans still want him to enter the race. But he insisted that’s not going to happen.


“I’m supporting Mitt Romney and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure he wins the nomination and he’s going to be the president come January 2013 . . . I don’t know how many times I have to say it, the answer is no.”