Gov. Chris Christie launches 2016 presidential campaign
TRENTON (WABC) -- A tough-talking New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched his 2016 campaign for president Tuesday with a promise to tell voters the truth even if it makes them cringe.
The Republican governor formally announced his plans in the gymnasium of his old high school. Christie called himself a straight shooter, and someone who's not afraid of the word 'compromise'.
"We need a government in Washington, DC that remembers you went there to work for us, not the other way around," he said.
His speech sounded like many he's given before. But Christie did attack his rival and Democratic frontrunner. "After seven years of a weak and feckless foreign policy run by Barack Obama, we better not turn it over to his second-mate, Hillary Clinton." said Christie.
He says both political parties "have failed our country" in an announcement speech calling for more compromise in politics.
Christie was once thought to be a leading White House contender, but his star has faded over the last year. He's been hurt by a traffic scandal involving senior aides and a lagging state economy.
He joins a GOP field that already includes more than a dozen candidates. Christie heads to New Hampshire later Tuesday, where he's planning to campaign through the end of the week.
He appears ready to stake his candidacy on New Hampshire. The state, which holds the party's first primary, has historically welcomed moderate candidates willing to invest time on the ground.
Christie is a former federal prosecutor, ever confident in his skills as a campaigner.
The governor has held a series of well-received town hall meetings and delivered policy speeches in the state. Christie has played up his brash persona, hoping to appeal to voters yearning for strong leadership in the White House after six years of Obama, whose personality couldn't be more different.
At the same time, Christie has stressed his ability to work with Democrats, making the case he can expand the party's base by appealing to the woman and minority voters Republicans probably will need to win over in greater numbers to capture the White House.
Christie remains dogged by the actions of several top aides, including his former deputy chief of staff, who were accused of closing down access to a busy bridge connecting New Jersey with New York. It was an act federal prosecutor say was designed to punish a Democratic mayor who didn't endorse Christie's re-election in 2013. From the outset, Christie has denied any knowledge of his aides' actions. The U.S. attorney who won indictments against Christie's former deputy chief of staff and his top appointee at the authority that controls the bridge has said he does not expect to file any additional charges in the case.
Another former ally has also pleaded guilty, while the trial of the indicted aides could take months - an unwelcome distraction as Christie campaigns.
Christie is likely to be one of four current governors in the 2016 race, joining Louisiana's Bobby Jindal, who announced his candidacy this week, and expected candidates Scott Walker of Wisconsin and John Kasich of Ohio.
Outside the school, teachers and other Christie opponents gathered to denounce the very idea of a President Christie.
"Yeah we think he's dangerous and we want to get the message to the rest of the country he'd be terrible for us," said Anthony Rosamilia of the Essex County Education Association.
"It's not that we do not like Christie. We do not like what he stands for," said teacher Shennet Josiah.
Christie has an uphill battle. His best shot will likely come in New Hampshire, but the latest polling there puts him in 7th place. Still, his fans say it's early, and everything changes once Christie is on stage.
"I've been to three town hall meetings and every time I go away saying wow, this guy's the real deal," said supporter Ray Steinberg.
"He seems very human and down to earth," said supporter JoAnn Howard. "I mean which may sound crazy for a politician but you want a person who's of the people."
Governor Christie's slogan is 'Tell it like it is, even if it's difficult.' He seems to think America is ready for that message.
"I mean what I say and I say what I mean and that's what America needs right now," he said.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
