What They're Saying…
“Chris Christie: In Command From Start To Finish”
“Chris Christie Looked The Best Tonight. Far And Away.”
National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Very good night for christie”
• “...Christie was strong.”
TIME’s Zeke Miller: “Strong Christie close there”
Charles Krauthammer: "Christie had excellent moments.”
CNN’s Jeff Zeleny: “Chris Christie: In command from start to finish. If voters still value governing experience, he's the one.”
The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin: “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie played the role of experienced adult, reminding voters that those criticizing people on the stage who decried the defense budget cuts but went along with defense sequester.”
• “Again and again he came back to the contrast between a governor/U.S. attorney and lawmakers...He was serious and emphatic on the no-fly zone, promising, if need be, to shoot down Russian planes if we set up a no fly zone.”
• “Asked about a moral obligation to take in refugees, Christie came back with a firm assertion that his job is to keep Americans safe, defending his plan to pause refugee entry until the FBI director says they can be vetted. In repeatedly bringing the argument back to President Obama and Clinton, he seemed to be auditioning for the general election debate...On China, Christie was likewise strong, accusing Obama and Clinton of refusing to respond to China’s cyber-attack.”
NBC News’ Chuck Todd: “Of non top tier, both Christie and Bush had good nights with Christie probably helping himself the most.”
The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “Winners: Chris Christie: The New Jersey governor had one goal in this debate: Distinguish himself from the likes of Cruz and Rubio as someone who has never spent any time in Washington. He did so -- repeatedly and successfully. He effectively injected himself into an extended back and forth between Cruz and Rubio on the NSA to say, essentially, regular people don't have any idea what the hell you guys are talking about and they don't care. Christie went into this debate with momentum in New Hampshire; nothing he said or did Tuesday night will hurt that roll.”
The Boston Globe’s Matt Viser: “Chris Christie’s closing statement shows why he’s gaining ground in NH.”
• “...Christie showing potential.”
The Daily Beast’s Gideon Resnick: “...Christie: Tough”
CBS Philadelphia’s Gary R'nel: “R'nel winners: Christie…”
San Francisco Chronicle’s Debra J. Saunders: “Rubio Bush Christie Cruz came out ahead.”
CBS Philadelphia’s Chris Stigall: “Have to give the night to Christie.”
NPR’s Steve Inskeep: “Christie had a good debate. Hugh Hewitt had a better one.”
Washington Post’s Ed O'Keefe: “Also a standout night for Christie, Cruz and Rubio. Rubio deftly clashing w Cruz, contrasting w Trump.”
NPR’s Asma Khalid: “Quick take - seemed both Christie and Rubio had strong closings...”
The Atlantic’s Molly Ball: “Christie stood out”
The Houston Chronicle’s Vernon Loeb: “Final word from me:Rubio,Cruz, Christie and Fiorina closings the strongest, I thought. And I think those four had the best nights”
Daily Caller’s Jamie Weinstein: “Winners: Trump, Christie and Cruz likely to benefit from the debate…”
The Washington Post’s Robert Costa: “...Christie in the mix.”
Free Beacon’s Lachlan Markay: “Winners: Christie, Cruz”
CNN’s Alex Castellanos: “...Lots of open field for @GovChristie and @JebBush. buy their stock today”
Richard Grenell: “winners: @ChrisChristie and @marcorubio.”
Bloomberg’s Mark Halperin: “My debate report card: … Christie B+...”
The New York Times’ Ross Douthat: “Actual prediction: ...Christie + Bush gain a couple points at Kasich + Fiorina's expense in NH.”
The Daily Beast’s John Avlon: “Christie & Rand outperformed…”
Seattle Times’ Jim Brunner: “Winners: Cruz, Rubio, Bush, Christie. Losers: Carson, Kasich. Bottom line: Trump wins.”
Townhall’s Guy Benson: “Winner: Trump. Can't imagine he hurt himself. Strong: Cruz, Christie, Rubio, Paul (in that order)...”
The Weekly Standard’s Jay Cost: “I thought Chris Christie looked the best tonight. Far and away. Just one man's opinion.”
The Wall Street Journal’s Byron Tau: “...[H]e also made the strongest case to date for his unique brand of executive experience and national security views.”
Newsmax: “@jdhayworth says @ChrisChristie could be the come-back candidate after tonight's #GOPDebate performance.”
Fox News’ Andrea Tantaros: “Cruz shines. Christie strong. Rubio on the ropes. Trump holds his own. Carly consistent. Carson snores. Kasich who. Jeb: nobody cares.”
