Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) compared former President Donald Trump to Voldemort from the âHarry Potterâ series and said he doesnât have the âgutsâ to show up to debate.
When asked by debate moderator Megyn Kelly during the fourth Republican presidential debate how Christie expected to win the Republican presidential nomination when voters do ânot appear to likeâ him very much, Christie slammed his opponents for acting as if the race doesnât include Trump.
âWeâre seventeen minutes into this debate and except for your little speech in the beginning, weâve had these three act as if the race is between the four of us,â Christie said. âThe fifth guy, who doesnât have the guts to show up and stand here, heâs the one who, as you just put it, is way ahead in the polls.â
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âYet, Iâve got these three guys who are all seemingly to compete with, you know, Voldemort, He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named,â Christie continued. âThey donât want to talk about him.â
Trump, who has notably skipped out of participating in each of the Republican debates so far, has remained ahead of opponents entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
A survey conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4 showed Trump receiving 58% of support from voters, while DeSantis received 18%, Haley received 12%, Ramaswamy received 4% and Christie received 2%.
Similarly, a poll conducted by Morning Consult between Dec. 1 and 3 showed Trump receiving 66% of support from voters, DeSantis receiving 13%, Haley receiving 10%, Ramaswamy receiving 6%, and Christie receiving 3%.
âThe fact is when you go and you say the truth about somebody who is a dictator, a bully who has taken shots at everybody whether theyâve given him great service or not over time, who dares to disagree with him, then I understand why these three are timid to say anything about him,â Christie added.