`` This could end being a positive for Christie though . The GOP 's conservative base has never warmed to Christie . Christie 's public embrace of President Obama in 2012 hurt him with Republicans . GOP Sen. Rand Paul , a tea party favorite seemed to take a shot at Christie . But a Republican strategist says : ` ` I do not think there 's going to be any retribution from conservatives over this ''
The GOP 's conservative base has never warmed to Christie . Christie 's public embrace of President Obama in 2012 hurt him with Republicans . GOP Sen. Rand Paul , a tea party favorite seemed to take a shot at Christie . But a Republican strategist says : ` ` I do not think there 's going to be any retribution from conservatives over this ''