Mitt Romney Makes Maximum Contribution To Governor Chris Christie’s Re-election Campaign
Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney has given the maximum contribution size possible to Governor Chris Christie‘s re-election campaign: $3,800. This donation comes at a time when the American Conservative Union has chosen not to invite Governor Christie to this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference.
The ACU did not invite Governor Christie to speak at this year’s CPAC because of his support for the Sandy bill, a piece of legislation that sent aid to the states ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. Christie is the governor of the state of New Jersey, a state that was devastated by Hurricane Sandy when the storm ripped through the northeast in October. ACU Chairman Al Cardenas considered the bill to be a mini stimulus package.
Romney, on the other hand, has been invited to speak at CPAC. Chairman Cardenas had this to say about Romney:
“The thousands gathered at CPAC this year are eager to hear from the 2012 GOP presidential candidate at his first public appearance since the elections. We look forward to hearing Governor Romney’s comments on the current state of affairs in America and the world, and his perspective on the future of the conservative movement.”
The conference will last from March 14 to March 16. This year’s event is the 40th annual gathering of conservative leaders and activists from around the country. It will take place at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, MD.
“I look forward to saying thank you to the many friends and supporters who were instrumental in helping my campaign,” said former Governor Romney said in an ACU press release.
This year’s speakers include former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Representative Cantor, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, and many others.
The ACU formed in 1964 after the defeat of Presidential Candidate Barry Goldwater and identifies as the oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization in the nation. The organization is known for its annual ranking of politicians according to how well their voting record matches up with conservative ideals. Governor Christie has apparently broken from those ideals too often for the organization’s liking.
Romney supporters were upset by Governor Christie’s praise for President Barack Obama’s hurricane response. Many Republicans saw Christie’s remarks as an endorsement of President Obama in the final weeks of the campaign. Romney maintained that Governor Christie was simply doing his job as governor. Here is a clip of Governor Christie’s remarks to Fox News when asked if he was aware of the Romney campaign’s hurricane plans:
Governor Christie remains a popular presence inside the Republican Party. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor will attend a fundraiser for Christie in Northern Virginia tonight hosted by Governor Bob McDonnell. Governor McDonnell actively opposes the Medicaid expansion that Governor Christie just endorsed two days ago. Republican cooperation with Governor Chris Christie, including support from Mitt Romney, hints at a possible break from ideological purity within the Republican ranks.
[Image via wbur.org]
