Amid news that Mike Huckabee and Chris Christie will be excluded from the next Republican debates, the two very different candidates found a very unlikely defender. The Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump. Trump tweeted:
“I think it would be a good idea—and fair—to include @GovChristie & @MikeHuckabeeGOP in the debate. Both solid & good guys. @FoxBusiness”
The candidates are concerned that the selection process was unfair. Both are trying to appeal to Trump constituencies- Christie, whose brash style and tell it like it is history is somewhat reminiscent of Trump’s, and Huckabee’s populist appeal to forgotten elements of the GOP has largely been overshadowed by Trump. That he would support two rivals, even if they’re not a threat, is surprising.