OPINION:
On Monday, I watched CNN’s town hall with 2024 presidential hopeful Chris Christie (“Chris Christie on CNN town hall warns U.S. cannot take another 4 years of Trump in the White House,” web, June 12).
I am not sure he can or will win the Republican nomination for president. But unlike the majority of Republicans — including most of the other would-be Republican nominees — Mr. Christie knows and has worked for Donald Trump, yet is not afraid of the former president.
During the town hall, Mr. Christie took Mr. Trump on vigorously and forcefully. He answered questions directly without mincing words or worrying about what his opponents might say. Whether one likes him or not, as someone who spent his career studying political rhetoric, I believe Mr. Christie was rhetorically formidable.
If Mr. Christie qualifies for the debate stage, he will be a tough foe. Those in the town hall audience — including those who said they supported a different candidate — were listening to Mr. Christie and seemed to respond to him positively.
Make no mistake: Mr. Christie has the ability to persuade. Whether he can convince enough people to win the nomination remains to be seen. But don’t underestimate the power of Mr. Christie’s rhetorical acumen.
RICHARD CHERWITZ
Austin, Texas
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