NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is weighing a White House run in 2016, has been reluctant to weigh in on some hot-button national issues. Here’s some of his possible Republican rivals have said in recent weeks.
SUPREME COURT’S HOBBY LOBBY DECISION:
–Christie, on CNBC’s “Squawk Box”:
“Who knows, is the Supreme Court right? … The point is, why should I give an opinion on whether they’re right or wrong? In the end of the day, they did what they did.”
–Texas Gov. Rick Perry, in an official statement:
“Today’s decision is further proof that Obamacare represents one of the greatest governmental overreaches in our nation’s history.” ”
–Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, in an official statement:
“Our nation was founded on the principle of freedom, and with this decision, America will continue to serve as a safe haven for those looking to exercise religious liberty.”
–Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, in an official statement:
“The Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision is a re-affirmation of America’s commitment to religious freedom and a reminder of why Obamacare is such a flawed law that needs to be entirely repealed and replaced.”
ISRAEL AND HAMAS
–Christie, speaking to reporters last weekend:
“I’m not going to give opinions on that, I’m not the president. But what I can tell you is that a lot of what is happening there now is caused by a sense of America backing off of its commitments in that region. And I don’t think that’s a positive for the future of the region in terms of its stability.”
–Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, in an official statement:
“We must condemn the terrorist attacks on the people of Israel. Let’s be clear about this: Hamas and other terrorists are the perpetrators. There should be no ambiguity here.”
–Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee on “The Kelly File,” speaking of Hamas:
“This is a terrorist organization. Our own State Department says it’s a terrorist organization. We’re either for freedom or we’re for terrorism, we need to make up our minds what we’re for.”
— Perry, in an official statement:
“Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East, and we offer our complete solidarity with her today as she faces these attacks with courage and determination. Our prayers are with everyone in danger’s path, as are our hopes for a timely and lasting peace.”
–IMMIGRATION
–Christie, speaking with reporters last weekend when asked about the Central American children at the southern border:
“I’m not going to get into all that. Again, that’s Washington’s job to figure these things out. It’s not my job to figure them out.”
— Paul, on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” in June:
“Border security first, but then we should have something that allows people who want to work in our country who are here to say (to them) ‘We will find a place for you if you want to work.'”
–Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, at the Iowa Republican convention in June:
“You want to appeal to recent immigrants? You go out and start talking to them, not about immigration, (but) how immigration is suppressing their wages and keeping their wages down and not allowing them and their family the opportunity to rise in America.”
— Perry, in an official statement:
“President (Barack) Obama … should send 1,000 National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border to support operations until sufficient Border Patrol agents can be hired, trained and deployed. He should also direct the Federal Aviation Administration to allow drone flights along the border. …”
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