LEWISTON, Maine - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie returned to Maine today for the third time this year to help Republican Gov. Paul LePage raise more funds in his hard-fought battle for reelection. Christie is convinced the Maine governor is poised to play a larger role in conservative leadership.
As chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Christie told reporters in Lewiston that it's important that GOP governors seeking reelection stay the course to advance Republican ideals. But he he says LePage has a larger role to play for the country.
"It's important, not only to me personally, which is obvious, but it's also very important to the other governors," Christie said. "We feel like Paul has really set a great stage here - not only for the people in Maine, but also a great example in New England about what can be done with common sense, conservative Republican leadership."
LePage and Christie share many common strategies for advancing Republican public policy, but they parted company over Medicaid expansion under Obamacare, which Christie has accepted but LePage has not. Christie says the governor has to do what's right for Maine, and LePage countered that because Maine expanded Medicaid before New Jersey did, it did not qualify for the same level of federal reimbursement.
"We do not qualify - the state of Maine did not qualify - for the 100 percent reimbursement for three years," LePage said. "I have said it until I'm blue in the face, and at the debates I'll bring the letter - we're going to have a big postal letter so you can all read it for yourself: Maine did not qualify for the 100 percent reimbursement."
Earlier in the day outside a private reception, protestors from the progressive Maine People's Alliance picketed in Lewiston. Jim Lysen, an MPA organizer, said Christie and LePage were both being propped up by the Koch brothers, billionaire conservatives who are channeling millions into Republican races. But he said that won't be enough to prevent Democrat Mike Michaud from winning the governor's race next month.
"No amount of money - not even the Koch brothers money - is going to make a difference because LePage, his string has run out," Lysen said, "and the voters are going to send a strong message that we want change."
LePage supporters expect the Christie visit to build on the $2 million the RGA has already spent in Maine.