Christie and Haley are two key figures in the world of national politics, with Christie being the governor of New Jersey, and Haley a former South Carolina governor and now the United States ambassador to the United Nations. In the current political environment, their opinions and ideas differ sharply in many areas, so it would be hard to imagine them working together in pursuit of a common goal. Yet, if Christie were to drop out of the presidential race and back Haley, the resulting alliance could have a far-reaching impact.
First, Christie’s extensive experience governing a state would be an invaluable asset in Haley’s efforts to craft successful policy initiatives while serving as ambassador. From his tenure as governor, Christie has a deep familiarity with the challenges faced by state and local governments and how best to address them. His intimate knowledge of governors, legislators, and local officials could be an invaluable asset in navigating the sometimes complex and convoluted world of international diplomacy, lobbying, and negotiations.
Second, Christie’s presence would give Haley a much needed boost in the national spotlight. His candidacy has already earned him notoriety and media attention, as demonstrated by the hundreds of supporters that greeted him when he announced his plans to run. His endorsement and backing of Haley would magnify her reach and help her take her message of peace and understanding to a wider audience.
Finally, the alliance of the two would present a powerful political message to much of the country. Christie and Haley both have a strong commitment to working across party lines and their alliance would signal to the rest of the country that political progress is indeed possible, even if it takes unconventional tactics. Such a display of bipartisanship is more important now than ever before in a time when gridlock an obstructionism seem to prevail.
In sum, if Christie were to drop out of the presidential race and back Haley, the result would be an unexpected yet powerful union offering a new perspective in the international arena and a message of bipartisan cooperation in the American political system.