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[h=4]Chris Christie officially launches White House bid[/h]Returning to the gymnasium of his former high school, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie this morning officially kicked off his presidential campaign.
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In Governor Chris Christie's official presidential campaign announcement, he said that it's time to fix American's "broken entitlement system" and to "get the government off the back of our people." VPC
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to supporters at Livingston High School in Livingston, N.J., on June 30, 2015.(Photo: Ken Betancur, AFP/Getty Images)
LIVINGSTON, N.J. – Returning to the gymnasium of his former high school, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie this morning officially kicked off a presidential campaign six years in the making – and, skeptics would say, three years too late.
Christie now lives in Mendham, but he was joined at Livingston High School by family, childhood friends and longtime supporters for the announcement, which leaned heavily on his family background and community he grew up in. Two people spoke before Christie took the stage: A friend of his mother's and a former Christie classmate, both from Livingston.
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"I've spent the last 13 years of my life, as U.S. attorney and governor of this state, fighting for fairness and justice and opportunity for the people of the state of New Jersey. That fight has not made me more weary. It has made me stronger, and I am now ready to fight for the people of the United States of America," Christie said.
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Governor Chris Christie officially announced his presidential campaign at his former high school in Livingston, NJ and said he is ready to fight for the people of America. He told the crowd both parties have gotten it wrong. VPC
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That focus on biography and personality is reflected in the slogan for his campaign: Telling it like it is. His campaign frames that as a willingness to address big issues without pandering and points to proposals and speeches he has made on Social Security, Medicare, foreign policy, education and the economy. It's counting on that to distinguish him in a crowded Republican field that could reach 16 candidates.
"I mean what I say and I say what I mean, and that's what America needs right now," Christie said.
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Christie held a conference call with donors, friends and out-of-state supporters Tuesday morning before his official launch, the Associated Press reported.
Christie said, "Going back to where you were when you were 15, or 16, or 17 years old, and to be able to stand in front of that group of people and offer yourself to the presidency is a really, really amazing moment."
On the eve of his announcement, the governor's office announced a series of actions that would be looked upon favorably by core national constituencies for Republicans.
He directed his attorney general to change state regulations to require firearm applications filed by victims of domestic violence or violent crimes to be considered on an expedited basis, within 14 days. And for a sixth time, he vetoed bills providing additional funding to family planning clinics and expanding Medicaid coverage for such services.
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Four years ago, Republicans impressed by Christie's forceful personality and policy reforms implored Christie to make a run for president, even though he was only in his second year as governor. Christie ruled it out, then later briefly reconsidered before announcing in October 2011 he would not join the race.
Christie endorsed Mitt Romney in that election, went on the campaign trail as a surrogate and helped raise millions for the campaign. He was vetted as a possible vice presidential running mate for Romney and was among the finalists, but he was passed over in favor of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan.
USA TODAY
Chris Christie cut political teeth in Delaware
Instead, Christie got to make the keynote speech at the Republican Party's 2012 national convention in Florida. The speech drew criticism for being focused more on Christie's background and accomplishments than on Romney or the party platform.
Following his re-election landslide in 2013 in which he received 60% of the vote, Christie successfully outmaneuvered Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal to win election as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Jindal and Christie are rivals once more; the former announced his candidacy for the White House on Wednesday.
A supporter of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attends the presidential campaign kickoff rally in Livingston, N.J., on June 30.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images)
The RGA platform enabled Christie to extensively travel the country, cultivate political alliances and meet major campaign donors. In the 2014 vote, the Republicans netted a two-seat gain despite having to defend three-fifths of the seats up for election. Their wins included contests in Democratic-leaning Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts.
By 2014, though, Christie had lost much of the luster that made him a sought-after prospect in 2011.
Conservatives worried he was too moderate. Some Republicans were angry he had effusively praised President Obama in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy in 2012 and excoriated House Speaker John Boehner over a delayed Sandy aid vote.
The George Washington Bridge scandal — it unfolded in inglorious detail starting in January 2014 and has dogged Christie ever since — severely damaged his credentials as a competent leader and reinforced critics' picture of him as a political bully. Three of his operatives have been indicted, one of whom pleaded guilty.
Once considered a top-tier candidate as recently as late 2013, Christie now polls far behind in the crowded Republican field. A recent Fox News poll found him at 2%, outside the top 10 and at risk of not being included in the first debate in Cleveland in August.
Follow @MichaelSymons_ on Twitter
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Jump into the political way-back machine to see three decades of presidential hopefuls announce their big plans. VPC
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