Former top Christie aide backing Clinton over Trump
One of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s top former advisers who helped craft his image and launch his ascendance in national politics said Tuesday she will vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton, disowning the choice of her party and former boss.
In her first public comments since Christie dropped out of the presidential primary in February, Maria Comella called Trump a “demagogue” who preys on people’s anxieties, plays loose with facts and drums up fear and hatred of the ‘other,’ she told CNN.
“Instead of trying anything remotely like unifying the country, we have a nominee who would rather pick fights because he views it as positive news coverage,” she said. “It may make him media savvy, but it doesn't make him qualified or ready to be president.”
A call to Comella’s cell phone went directly to voicemail. The longtime political operative has been one Christie’s closest confidantes. As his deputy chief of staff for communications, Comella helped craft Christie’s image through social media and television appearances before a national audience.
Comella had kept silent since deciding not to return to the State House after Christie dropped his bid for the White House and quickly backed Trump.
But amid yet another controversy involving Trump — this time involving the Muslim-American family of a slain Iraq War soldier — Comella said Republicans can no longer remain silent. Her comments come a day after former Jeb Bush adviser Sally Bradshaw said she is leaving the GOP because of Trump, and on the same day President Obama suggested Republicans should abandon their support of the nominee.
Republican leaders should withdraw endorsement of Trump, Obama says
“Instead of speaking out against instances of bigotry, racism and inflammatory rhetoric whether it’s been against women, immigrants or Muslims, we made a calculus that it was better to say nothing at all in the interest of politics and winning elections. For me, if our party has a future, we have to change that trajectory and lead by example,” Comella said.
Christie’s office did not immediately respond for comment regarding Comella’s statements.
Earlier Tuesday, Christie, who is leading Trump’s White House transition team, came the closest yet amid all the controversies to publicly criticizing Trump.
Christie: Khan family has 'the right to say whatever they want'
When asked about his thoughts on Trump’s response to the Muslim American parents of Capt. Humayun Khan, Christie said the family has “the right to say whatever it is they want.” For the last several days Trump has questioned the family’s appearance at the Democratic National Convention, where the father, Khizr Khan, condemned the nominee.
“You’re not going to find me being critical of Mr. and Mrs. Khan no matter what they do, even if I may disagree with any one particular statement they might make,” Christie said. “It’s just inappropriate for us in this context to be criticizing them, and I'm not going to participate in that.”