2016 in Sight, Christie Swings Through Iowa

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie spent the day traveling across Iowa on Thursday, bolstering Republican candidates and fueling speculation about his own political aspirations.

Christie was in town to campaign for Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and other state candidates in his role as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Iowa is a high-profile venue because it hosts the lead-off presidential caucuses. The visit also completes Christie’s return from a self-imposed political exile amid probes into claims his staff intentionally clogged traffic near the George Washington bridge.

And while Christie insisted the trip had nothing to do with his own ambitions, he capped his day-long rush by touting spending and property tax cuts at home in New Jersey, which he attributed to vetoes and to working with Democrats.

Earlier in the day, in the parking lot of a restaurant in Marion, Christie tried to keep the attention on Branstad, hailing him as “a role model for me and for others around the country about what public service is really supposed to be all about.”

Branstad returned the favor, praising Christie’s record, including his election margins and his repeated vetoes of proposed income tax hikes.

Christie glad-handed his way through the packed restaurant, posing for selfies, greeting babies and embracing excited fans. Many of those fans said they’d come after hearing on the news that Christie would be there.

“I’m ready to vote for you for president of the United States of America!” exclaimed Kara Burmeister.

Jan Airy, from Alburnett, told Christie that voters in Iowa were waiting for him to run for president. Like others, Airy praised Christie’s straight-forward style, describing him as honest and unafraid to ruffle feathers.

Christie said the attention was “incredibly flattering and gratifying” and said he planned to return often.

“Every time I come here, folks are really just so kind to me and have the most generous things to say,” he said.

A poll of Iowa voters released Thursday found one in three Republicans now has an unfavorable view of the governor after a barrage of bad news at home. But he brushed off the results.

“Only a third?” he said. “That’s pretty good, man! That’s not bad. I’ll take it.”

This article appeared in print on page 10 of the July 21st, 2014 edition of Hamodia.