New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is spreading seeds in Iowa that could sweeten his political future.
Stumping in the Hawkeye State for Mitt Romney is a win-win for the pugnacious Christie — no matter what happens — political insiders and Iowa Republicans said.
If Romney wins the Iowa caucus and the GOP nomination and then defeats President Obama, Christie would be among the most powerful governors in the country with the ear of a grateful new commander-in-chief.
And that’s if Romney doesn’t first ask Christie to be his running mate.
Even if Romney loses, Christie has built up ties with GOP leaders and activists in the corn belt that could help him in a future run for the White House.
“It’s a plus-plus. At the end of the day, Christie is a star,” said political consultant Ed Rollins, who worked for Mike Huckabee, the candidate who won the Iowa caucuses four years ago.
“This benefits Christie. He got to meet all the party leaders and the activists in Iowa. He’s enhanced himself.”
Rollins said a President Romney would be indebted to Christie for his vigorous support, making the Jersey pol “first among equals” among governors with access and influence in a Romney administration.
Iowa voters said they admire Chrstie’s earthy charisma and plain-spoken style.
“Everybody likes Chris Christie because he’s so blunt,” said Barb Burley, a real-estate agent from West Des Moines.
She added, “I paid big bucks last fall to see him talk. He really might be vice president. Not a bad idea.”
Norma Doenecke, a retired Manhattan advertising executive who moved to Iowa, praised Christie as a feisty campaigner.
“He’s a bit rough around the edges still. But I think he’s great at rallying people,” she said.
But Doenecke said the portly Jersey pol has to shed some pounds. “His size is important. It’s not healthy,” she said.
Christie has made a handful of trips to Iowa over the past year, including two for Romney.
A coalition of Iowa business leaders sought to draft Christie to run for president, even traveling to Trenton to convince him to take the plunge.
But Christie, in his midterm as governor, announced he wouldn’t seek the presidency and quickly threw his support to Romney.