Chris Christie And Carly Fiorina Suspend Republican Presidential Campaigns Citing Debate Exclusion
Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina are both giving up their campaigns after a poor showing in the New Hampshire Primary and Iowa Caucus. Subsequently, they were denied an invitation to the debates. It is quite common for the field to narrow after New Hampshire, but exclusion from debates has been especially discouraging for both candidates. It would greatly impact the chance of success in future primaries.
Chris Christie has decided to call it a day, after coming in a distant sixth place with only 7 percent of the vote. The New York Times reports that Christie is embarrassed following his poor showing. He has put nearly all of his campaign efforts into New Hampshire.
Carly Fiorina is suspending her campaign, but USA Today reports she plans to travel the country fighting for people caught up in the recession. That is a good sign that she may make another bid for the presidency in four or eight years. Carly finished seventh just behind Chris Christie, gaining only 4 percent of the vote.
“While I suspend my candidacy today, I will continue to travel this country and fight for those Americans who refuse to settle for the way things are and a status quo that no longer works for them,”
Both Carly Fiorina and Chris Christie expressed frustration with a debate process that excludes low-profile candidates who aren’t currently performing well in polls and primaries. Both candidates were facing exclusion from the upcoming debate due to poor performance in the NH primaries.
Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina both felt that without the debates, their campaigns would be ineffective. If Chris Christie had continued his bid, he would have been excluded from the next debate. He elected to drop from the race and return to his home state of New Jersey. Though Christie did not make a statement, campaign staff members confirmed that he will be leaving the race.
Carly Fiorina, who had surged in the polls following a debate in September, was expecting a surge from a new debate, but she was greatly disappointed to learn she had not be welcomed at the previous debate on Saturday.
“Our debate process is broken,” says Fiorina.
Carly Fiorina is the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, and has been a strong advocate of women and the disenfranchised. She was the only woman running on the Republican ticket this primary. Her stand on the issues was well developed, but today Carly felt it necessary to suspend her candidacy. Her full statement is on Facebook.
“This campaign was always about citizenship—taking back our country from a political class that only serves the big, the powerful, the wealthy, and the well connected.”
Chris Christie was governor of New Jersey during Hurricane Sandy and made a name for himself while supporting and defending his state in the wake of that disaster. He was seen as a strong advocate for the people and a powerful leader, capable of handling tough situations. If elected, he wanted to restore fairness to the judicial system and help ex-offenders integrate into society more easily.
Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina are now eliminated from the Republican presidential race. Donald Trump has taken an overwhelming lead in the Republican primary race. More candidates will no doubt pull out of the race in the coming month. In the end only one candidate will remain.
Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina have pulled out of the presidential race but plan to continue to serve as community leaders.
[Photo by Scott Olson/ Getty Images]
