[guest post by Dana]

Gov. Brian Kemp managed to rebuke Donald Trump at the Republican National Committee in Nashville without even mentioning the former president by name:

Kemp urged them to ignore Trump’s obsession with his 2020 reelection defeat, saying, “Not a single swing voter in a single swing state will vote for our nominee if they choose to talk about the 2020 election being stolen.

To voters trying to pay their rent, make their car payment or put their kids through college, 2020 is ancient history.” He went on to say that voters wanted to know the GOP’s vision for the future and “couldn’t care less about anyone’s sour grapes.”

Kemp also touched on Trump’s criminal inquiries in Atlanta, New York and Washington, calling it a “distraction that could cost us dearly next year if we allow it”.

Kemp echoes other Republicans who want to move on from the 2020 election loss drama:

“Voters wanted to hear about what Republicans were doing to help them fight through 40- year high inflation — not months and months of debate over whether the 2020 election was stolen.”

But given current polling, it doesn’t seem like Kemp’s announced strategy tracks with Republican voters. Trump still leads everyone by a mile. But enter Chris Christie, who hopes to change that:

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is talking to potential donors, thought leaders, staffers, and others to discuss a possible campaign for president in 2024, sources close to Christie told CNN.

Christie is in the process of making a decision and has indicated he will make one in the coming weeks.

The New Jersey Republican sees himself as the only serious GOP candidate willing to take on former President Donald. He also sees himself as a candidate who could appeal to enough independents to beat President Joe Biden in the general election, should Biden announce a reelection bid.

Ah, but how does he explain his support for the former president? Let’s see:

He…defended his previous support for the former president, saying the “line was crossed” during the 2020 election when Trump said it was stolen. “There’s a difference between spinning politically to try to put yourself in a better position before the vote happens and after the vote happens to say it was ‘rigged,’” Christie said.

“No one in this country asked him to be their retribution,” Christie added of Trump. “I think a President should be our inspiration, not our retribution.”

Yeah, I just don’t see him moving the needle.

–Dana