Chris Christie questions Nikki Haley’s ability and desire to beat Donald Trump

ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday rejected the idea that ending his presidential bid would help Republican rival Nikki Haley defeat Donald Trump, questioning both her desire and ability to do so.

While other candidates were in Iowa ahead of next week’s caucus, Christie was in a barbecue restaurant in New Hampshire, where he has staked nearly his entire campaign. He warned that If Trump wins the New Hampshire primary for a third time on Jan. 23, he’ll become the GOP nominee, despite the next contest coming in Haley’s home state of South Carolina.

“If he wins here, don’t expect South Carolina to save us, it’s not going to happen,” he said. “So you all are the ones who are going to make the call here.”

While Trump remains the frontrunner, a CNN/UNH poll conducted in New Hampshire this week suggested that Haley, the former South Carolina governor and former United Nations ambassador, could be approaching Trump’s top spot in the state. About 4 in 10 likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire choose Trump, while about one-third pick Haley. The poll found Christie trailing behind both candidates at 12% and indicated that about two-thirds of Christie supporters would select Haley as their top alternative to Christie.

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