By Chris Cillizza - The Fix
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will endorse former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney today. The endorsement will come at 3 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott in Hanover New Hampshire according to the sources
just hours before the presidential candidates gather at Dartmouth College for the 7th debate of the GOP nomination fight.
Back in May Christie praised Romney for his speech defending and explaining his Massachusetts health care law. That type of candor is what Americans expect from a serious presidential candidate today" Christie said at the time.
Sources close to the process said that Romneys courtship of Christie was a long one but refused to get into details. Christie is expected to address those matters at his press event announcing the endorsement.
Christies backing should provide a major boost to Romney who has been making the case for weeks that he is the best and perhaps only candidate who can beat President Obama in 2012.
Christie a favorite of tea party and establishment types alike has emphasized the need for the GOP to nominate someone not who they agree with on every issue but rather someone who can win.
He ruled out a presidential bid less than two weeks ago arguing that his heart was still in New Jersey and that the time was not right for him to run.
