The TicketChris Christie: Wisconsin is the center of the political universe
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday reminded Wisconsin voters that the impact of the recall decision before them holds major national implications.
"For the next five weeks, Wisconsin is going to be the center of the American political universe," Christie told supporters of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker during a rally in Oak Creek, held five weeks before voters will choose whether to remove him from office. "America is going to find out the answer to what is more powerful; the money or the special interests from Washington, D.C.?"
Christie, who campaigned for Walker's successful 2010 gubernatorial bid, delivered a confident, motivating speech to the crowd Tuesday. "I can't wait to be sitting in my living room on Tuesday, June 5 and watch Wisconsin make America proud," Christie said.
He asked the audience to reach out to their friends and family over the next five weeks to support Walker's recall defense.
"Wisconsin is moving forward because you elected a strong leader," Christie said.
Christie has risen to nationwide fame since his election in 2009, earning notoriety for his tough attitude and his blunt talk and his willingness to take on unions and other groups in his home state. Like Christie, Walker has taken on unions in his home state, which is the major reason why the recall effort was launched against him in Wisconsin.
Walker's campaign on Tuesday used Christie's starpower to their advantage as their candidate heads into a primary May 8 (which he's expected to win handily) and a highly competitive June 5 recall vote.
While he was there to support Walker, Christie couldn't help attract attention to himself as well. Many prominent Republicans courted Christie to run for president, which he declined to do, but he has recently reemerged on the presidential scene as a potential vice presidential pick.
"He might be able to convince me--he's a convincing guy," Christie reportedly said of Romney Monday.
But there was no talk of Christie's potential V.P. plans Tuesday.
Instead, the two men put themselves on equal footing, noting their family friendship and their similar missions.
Christie began the fight to "put the power back in the hands of the people" one year before me, the governor said Tuesday.
Christie followed up his introduction and Walker's own speech by linking their two states.
"New Jersey is giving a preview to Wisconsin for the good things that can happen" when you stand up for people instead of special interests, Christie said.
The recall effort against Walker has mobilized tea party activists around the country, who view Walker's fight as one against liberal radicals, union bosses, and Barack Obama supporters
The governor's team announced Monday that they have raised more than $13 million for the recall campaign, living up to the high fundraising bar Walker set during his 2010 campaign.
The two Democratic frontrunners, Kathleen Falk, a former county official, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Walker's 2010 opponent, have told news outlets they've each raised less than $1 million.
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