Wyoming Public Media: Chris Christie called out Sen. Barrasso when he withdrew from the presidential race. Why does it matter?
By Kamila Kudelska & Matt Laslo
Ahead of Iowa’s first in the nation GOP caucuses on Monday, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie dropped out of the contest – but not before taking a jab at Wyoming senior Senator John Barrasso and other Republicans who he calls “cowards.” Wyoming Public Radio correspondent Matt Laslo joined Kamila Kudelska from Washington to discuss.
Editor’s note: This story has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
Kamila Kudelska: Earlier this week, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso became the highest-ranking member of Senate Republican leadership to endorse former President Donald Trump. That didn’t sit well with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who accused Barrasso, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and other Republicans of “cowardice and hypocrisy” for backing Trump.
Tape: “And you just look at what's happening just in the last few days. Good people who got into politics, I believe, for the right reasons, people like Senator John Barrasso, people like Congressman Tom Emmer, stand up and endorsed Donald Trump. They know better. I know they know better,” said Chris Christie.
KK: How’s Barrasso reacting to all of this?
Matt Laslo: Well, in typical Barrasso fashion, he's kind of laughing it off - which his colleagues aren’t. I actually interviewed 15 Republican senators about this very strange barb because usually you don't hear Republican officials call out other Republican officials. And so when we asked his colleagues about it, they're kind of offended on his behalf.
But Senator Brasso himself says he didn't listen to the speech, and he's not going to lower himself to Christie’s level.
Tape: “I heard that he had. I didn’t actually hear him. I wish him well,” Barrasso said.
ML: And now, if you remember, Barrasso’s not just Wyoming's senior senator. He took the gentlemanly route there in part because he's the third highest-ranking Republican leader here in the Senate. And so he's got to put on a good face for the party because when he was attacked, he wasn't just attacked as a Wyoming senator, he's attacked as a senior Republican official…
LISTEN: Listen to the full interview at Wyoming Public Media.
