Gov. Chris Christie today will speak to the Republican Jewish Coalition
and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson in what is widely believed to be an effort to impress the GOP megadonor ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
The speech comes the day after a combative Christie faced reporters for the first time in 76 days, boasting that he was exonerated by report his office commissioned to look into the September closing of lanes to the George Washington Bridge.
During the news conference Thursday, Christie said he didn’t know if he was meeting personally with the Adelsons, who gave nearly $100 million to mostly unsuccessful candidates in 2012.
“There is significantly less interest around the country on this report than there is in this region. I don’t know if I am having a private meeting with Sheldon and Miriam or not. I haven’t looked at my schedule yet for tomorrow,” he said.
The governor’s poll numbers have dropped dramatically since emails surfaced showing some of his top aides knew about a plot to punish Fort Lee as well as allegations that his staff used Sandy relief dollars for political gain.
Christie will be joined at the RCJ Spring Leadership Meeting by other potential contenders for the party’s nomination, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush got Adelson to himself at a VIP dinner Thursday night.
Christie is at odds with Sheldon Adelson on at least one major policy point. Internet gambling became legal in New Jersey last year with Christie’s backing.
A staunch opponent of the practice, Adelson has contributed mightily to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who this week introduced legislation that could put an end to online gambling in New Jersey and other states, The New York Times reported.