Pre Bridgegate, how much support did Christie actually have

[Pres Mike]

After the 2012 election, Christ Christie was easily the Republican front runner. He was a popular Republican governor of a very blue state. Won re-election in 2013 by 22 points and had several Democrat mayors endorse him. He was known for being a loud and blunt New Jersey guy

Everything disappeared in early 2014 with Bridgegate. He was accused of closing two bridges for a town in which the Democratic mayor refused to endorsed him. While he was eventually cleared, he never regained front runner status

Here is the crazy thing. Its well documented that Donald Trump never really wanted to become president. His campaign was a publicity stunt to increase his business empire. He would run, make noise, than drop out and endorse Christ Christie! In all honestly, Trump may not have actually ran if Christie remained the front runner

Here is the thing....was Christie actually the front runner? The beltway and media love Northeastern Republican governors thats true. Like Hogan, Baker and Sununu. Creates a powerful narrative.

But the Republican primary electorate clearly wanted a populist. They were angry at immigration and lost factory jobs. We saw this in Democrats with Bernie Sanders and in other nations.

So, did Christie have actually support? Of course 99% of Americans aren't paying attention to politics in 2013 and 2014. But makes me wonder if Christie actually could win the nomination as a moderate Northeastern governor of a blue state even without Trump running