Chris Christie's dilemma: back Andrew Cuomo or his GOP challenger?
As chairman of the Republican Governor's Association (RGA), it may seem like a no-brainer that Gov. Chris Christie, R-New Jersey, would support Rob Astorino, the Republican challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-New York.
But things aren't so clear cut for Christie, who is still recovering from the scandal over last year's lane closures at the George Washington Bridge. Christie shares control of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the bridge, with Cuomo and has worked with Cuomo on various issues over the years.
"The job of myself and Gov. Cuomo, as we see it, is to lead and make sure that the appropriate amount of intensity is being brought to the task of protecting our region," he said at an anti-terror summit Monday, according to the Asbury Park Press.
While Christie has been crisscrossing the country on behalf of Republican gubernatorial candidates, he has not yet committed to helping Astorino. In fact,earlier this summer, Christie turned his back on Asterino, saying the Republican was on a sinking ship he could not save, and one that was not worth the RGA's money.
Apparently feeling the heat from some of his fellow Republican governors who have backed Astorino, Christie has dialed back his harsh assessment of the New York race.
Astorino is "the best candidate to lead the state forward," Christie said last week.
RGA spokesman Jon Thompson did not respond to a question from the Asbury Park Press on what Christie might do in the future to help Astorino, but said the organization "is proud to support" him.
Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray told the publication that Christie's carefully navigated bipartisanship - appearing with Cuomo Monday, and attending a a prisoner re-entry center ceremony with former Gov. Jim McGreevey, D-New Jersey, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California - offered both risks and rewards.
"Assuming he runs for president, he's got to win a Republican nomination process, but at the same time he has to position himself for a general election. He carefully chooses those issues on which he's willing to appear at a bipartisan venue," Murray said.