NJTV News Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron’s back in the newsroom anticipating the great debate. Gov. Chris Christie’s in Cleveland. His campaign team’s confident. But with 10 debaters and limited TV time, the governor will have precious little chance to blast out of the pack without making a gaffe.
Aron said one way to break out of the pack is to attack another person in the debate and the higher you aim, the more likely you are to get noticed. “So you get more notice if you attack Donald Trump or Jeb Bush than if you attack Mike Huckabee. Another way to break out is to deliver a zinger or a repost, preferably unscripted.” He referenced Lloyd Bentsen telling Dan Quayle he’s no Jack Kennedy.
According to Aron, it’s going to be much tougher to break out on policy since the candidates have similar views.
Aron said the debate has not been Christie’s greatest format. While he said Christie was good against Jon Corzine in 2009 and Barbara Buono in 2013, he wasn’t dominant. Aron believes Christie is better in town halls and press conferences.
“That said, he has to be careful not to stumble obviously, although I can’t think of ever hearing him stumble. And there’s certain areas that he has to be careful about. New Jersey’s economy, the state’s second worst credit rating in the country. His low poll numbers in New Jersey. He has answers for those questions but he’d be much better off if they didn’t come up tonight,” Aron said.