Chris Christie Invokes Bill Clinton in ‘Wide Open’ GOP Race

Jeb Bush and Chris Christie say Florida Sen.

Jim Barrett, a longtime New Hampshire resident and a Bush supporter who attended the rally, said the exchange between Christie and Rubio “was wonderful”.

The answer was quickly challenged by Christie: “I like Marco Rubio, and he’s a smart person and a good guy, but he simply does not have the experience to be president of the United States”. And I think he’ll get the bronze come Tuesday night.

Sixty-five percent of New York Democrats think Clinton will be the next president, while 32 percent of Republicans think it will be Trump. Ahead of New Hampshire’s pivotal primary on Tuesday in which Trump leads in opinion polls, he has shared painful personal stories, stopped at diners to shake hands with patrons, and tried sending the message that despite his massive wealth and brash manner, he is a regular Joe.

Cruz is not expected to fare as well in New Hampshire as in Iowa, but he did make memorable marks in Saturday’s debate, first repeating his apology to Carson for the false rumors and later offering an emotional account of his half-sister’s drug addiction and eventual death.

Trump still holds a commanding lead in the polls here, protecting a 15-point lead over second-place Ted Cruz, 31-16 percent, according to the latest Franklin Pierce University/Boston Herald poll released today. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks…

Growing doubts about Rubio seemed to portend a fight for delegates that could extend for weeks or months – to the dismay of Republican Party leaders hoping for a quick consolidation behind anyone but Cruz or Trump.

The governor, energized from a solid debate performance Saturday night where he took Florida Sen.

Then Mr Trump was off on another tack, asking the crowd if they liked his comments – during a television debate the previous night – that he would not only condone waterboarding terrorist suspects but also more brutal techniques if that was needed to elicit information.

And it was in line with his tone all night long, as he consistently rose above the mud-slinging, despite his near-daily attacks on his rivals on the campaign trail.

Under assault from Christie during Saturday’s debate, Rubio repeated his standard critique of President Obama several times, playing into Christie’s argument that the first-term senator is a scripted, inexperienced politician from a do-nothing Congress.

For Barbara O’Brien, an undecided voter who had been considering voting for Rubio, it was enough to convince her he wasn’t the right choice.

GOP voter Judy McKenna, 66, had been leaning toward Rubio, but said she was “disappointed” in his debate performance.

“You have not been involved in a consequential decision where you had to be held accountable”, Christie told Rubio.

Rubio acknowledged the criticism during a rally in Londonderry on Sunday morning. Polls heading into that race also had him leading his rivals and some suggested that the billionaire’s preference for large-scale rallies instead of more one-on-one settings cost him dearly.

Rubio senior adviser Todd Harris said the candidate’s repetition underscores his laser focus on upending the Obama administration’s agenda.

“The last thing we need is another Bush”, Trump said.

“I like how he is not politically correct, I like how he says it like it is, how he says the truth and I like his strength and what he’s going to do to change this country and make it great again”.

Now, attacks on Rubio are pouring from almost all the campaigns, which are seeking to cast him as a mirage, an overrated candidate who crumbles under fire.