Jerusalem – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie kicked off his first official overseas trip to the Middle East Monday, meeting Israeli leaders in a visit that may boost the rising Republican star’s foreign policy credentials ahead of November’s presidential elections. He will move on to Jordan later this week for a personal visit with Jordan’s King Abdullah.
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Christie, 49, is often touted as a potential vice presidential candidate in 2012 polls, and a possible presidential candidate in 2016. He has brushed aside repeated inquiries from top Republican donors to enter this year’s presidential contest.
Christie’s Israel visit could raise speculation that he is positioning himself for a future run and his trip will be watched by Democrats and Republicans alike. A three-state tour of Missouri, California and Louisiana in September also fueled talk over Christie’s future plans.
Israel is a popular stop for American politicians on the rise seeking to bolster their international credibility while also appealing to Jewish constituents.
Christie endorsed Mitt Romney’s bid for president in October, ending months of speculation over whether he would run. He hasn’t said yet whether he’ll seek re-election as governor next year, leaving the door open to a vice presidential bid. He is consistently rumored to be on Romney’s short list.
Christie’s trip, billed “Jersey to Jerusalem,” is a trade and diplomacy mission, according to his office. He met Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the first in a series of meetings with senior Israeli business and political leaders, including President Shimon Peres on Tuesday.
Christie’s spokeswoman Maria Comella said it is “a common tradition for New Jersey governors to go to Israel” because of the state’s economic links to Israel. Beyond that, she pointed to New Jersey’s cultural ties with Israel due to the state’s large Jewish population.
Christie is traveling with his family and a delegation of 13 business and religious leaders. While in Israel, he plans to tour a pharmaceutical facility with an interest in expanding to the U.S., participate in a business round-table and visit a school.
Who are these 13 ‘religous’ leaders? Are my taxes paying for freeloaders to go to Eretz Yisroel for Pesach? How much did this cost?? We should demand answers.
Which ‘askanim’ are getting a free Pesach in Israel? Very nice while many of us are slaving away at home this week doing the preparations!
The trip is just till Thursday. The only taxpayer money is for Christie’s security detail. Go do your research
to #3 you seem to be slaving away on the blogs and wasting time on internet addiction, either get off the web and go SLAVE away, or just enjoy the information and FARGIN yenem.
to bad you arent able to do what the ASKANIM do, and at the same time thank g-d you arent one of them as they are selflessly dedicated to our best interest and you sound like you cant allow anyone a bit of any pleasure in life.
#1 and #3 you guys are unbelievable. Firstly all those askanim that went are paying privately and secondly they are returning before Pesach. So before you go on an all out assault against some individuals know your facts first.
You know what? I would gladly go to Eretz Yisroel if only for a few days to “chapp ahrein a bissel heilege luft”, see my grandchildren and come back to my cleaning with a new zeal. Except that maybe Moshiach would come while I was there and not have to come back. Li’Shanah Hazos BiYerushalayim. My heart yearns for you.