Chris Christie in Politico.com

On Civil Rights: Gay marriage is settled in NJ, but keep debating nationally

Christie said that the GOP shouldn't stop debating same-sex marriage, despite shifting national attitudes and a string of court decisions that have overturned gay marriage bans: "I don't think there's some referee who stands up and says, 'OK, now it's time for you to change your opinion,'" he said. "The country will resolve this over a period of time. But do I think it's resolved? No."

Still, he added, the issue is "settled" in New Jersey, unless there's an unexpected change in the state's solidly Democratic legislature. Christie, who opposes same-sex marriage, drew flak from conservatives for deciding to halt a court battle over the issue last year. He said that he made the call because he would have lost anyway: "When I know that I've been defeated, you don't bang your head against the wall anymore and spend taxpayer money to do it," said Christie. He said the issue should be left to the states, noting that "an overwhelming majority of states currently still ban same-sex marriage."

Source: Politico.com 2014 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls Jul 12, 2014

On Energy & Oil: FactCheck: Yes, New Jersey is a solar powerhouse

Chris Christie said, "You could win a bet if you ask who the top three states in America are that produce solar energy, CA and AZ are easy. Number three is NJ." Christie's right to point out that NJ is indeed a surprising solar powerhouse. But his claim to being the No. 3 producer might lead some other governors to take that bet.

According to the latest August 2015 data from the Energy Information Agency, New Jersey is actually No. 5 in net solar generation, behind CA, AZ, NC and NV.

So where does the No. 3 come from? New Jersey does indeed hold claim to the No. 3 slot from the Solar Energy Industries Association through the second quarter of 2015 for cumulative solar capacity installed, though that's not the same thing as electricity generated. (And greens like the League of Conservation Voters were quick to note that some of the energy policies Christie has opposed--including joining a regional greenhouse gas trading program--would likely have the state doing even better.)

Source: Politico.com FactCheck on GOP 2015 CNBC debate Oct 28, 2015

On Crime: If Trump is convicted, I can't imagine pardoning him

Would he pardon Trump? "I have to tell you the truth, I can't completely answer that until I know what he was charged with and convicted of," Christie said. "I'm not going to dodge the answer. But I will tell you as a prosecutor, if I believe someone has gotten a full and fair trial in front of a jury of their peers, and especially someone in public life, who committed those crimes when they held a public trust, I can't imagine pardoning him." Source: Politico.com blog on 2024 Presidential hopefuls Jun 6, 2023

On Principles & Values: We can't dismiss the question of character anymore

Christie shrugged that off. "If you are in search of the perfect candidate, it is time to leave. I am not it."

"But beware of the leader who won't admit any of those shortcomings, because you know what the problem is with a leader like that? A leader like that thinks America's greatness resides in the mirror he's looking at," Christie said. "We can't dismiss the question of character anymore. If we do, we get what we deserve."

Source: Politico.com blog on 2024 Presidential hopefuls Jun 6, 2023

On War & Peace: Trump not backing Ukraine makes him Putin's puppet

[On Trump's involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war]: "I think he's a coward and I think he's a puppet of Putin," Christie told radio host Hugh Hewitt. "I don't know why, to tell you the truth, but I can't figure it out, but there's no other conclusion to come to."

That Trump wouldn't back Ukraine "was the most stunning moment in the debate," Christie said. "If you don't say that you think Ukraine should win the war, I don't know where you stand with Putin."

Source: Politico.com blog on 2024 Presidential hopefuls Jun 6, 2023

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles on Politico.com. Click here for other excerpts from Columns and news articles on Politico.com. Click here for other excerpts by Chris Christie. Click here for a profile of Chris Christie.
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