( CNN ) -- A couple of hours before President Obama 's prime-time speech on ISIS , Republicans Mitt Romney and Chris Christie took the opportunity of the New Jersey governor 's birthday party to blast the President on his foreign policy . `` The foreign policy he 's had has not been good for America , has not been good for our safety , has not been good for our friends around the world , '' Romney said . Obama outlines strategy to fight ISIS : Airstrikes in Syria , more U.S. troops . The 2012 GOP presidential nominee argued Obama should have intervened earlier in Syria and aided moderate rebels . He also painted the President as being weak in his handling of Russia 's intervention in Ukraine . `` It 's extraordinary that we do n't have a President that knows what to do , '' Romney said . Along with foreign policy , he outlined major problems he sees with Obama 's policies on the economy and education . Still , Romney encouraged the audience to `` support '' the President as he takes his next steps in fighting the militant group in Iraq and Syria . For his part , Christie went off on Obama for dismissing Romney 's 2012 argument that Russia was the United States ' No . 1 geopolitical foe -- an assessment that Republicans have lorded over Obama ever since the unrest began between Russia and Ukraine . `` Let me tell you something , Mr. President , '' Christie said . `` You were wrong , Mitt Romney is right , and the world is suffering because of it . '' A preview of what 's to come ? Christie 's birthday bash with Romney had all the appearances of a potential campaign rally in 2016 , that is if Christie runs for President : . -- A highly complimentary introduction of Christie by the most recent GOP nominee . -- An excited audience with phones jutted in the air , taking photos . -- A giant American flag as the backdrop . -- Both wives on stage . -- And of course , blistering critiques of Obama . The New Jersey Republican Party hosted the fundraiser that was billed as an event to celebrate Christie 's 52nd birthday , which was on Saturday . While they sang each others ' praises Wednesday night , it was less than two years ago when many of Romney 's supporters were saying that Christie cost Romney the election . They were were furious with Christie after he embraced Obama when the President came to survey Superstorm Sandy damage in New Jersey -- just a few days before Election Day . Critics argued that Christie 's warm reception of Obama gave the President some bipartisan sway . In interviews after the election , however , Romney never blamed Christie , nor did he say there was bad blood between the two . And he has frequently mentioned Christie on his list of potential 2016 Republican candidates . `` This is a guy who cares about the people in this great state , he cares about the poor , he cares about the middle class . He cares about getting good jobs , '' Romney said Wednesday , introducing Christie . `` This is a guy who fights for the things he believes in . '' The love fest continued when Christie was at the podium . `` Would n't our country be a hell of a better place if this man were the President of the United States ? '' Christie roared . Christie : I wo n't state position on immigration unless I run for president . Would Hillary Clinton top Chris Christie in New Jersey ?
Mitt Romney and Chris Christie blasted President Obama . Their criticism came just hours before Obama 's speech on ISIS . The two Republicans were speaking at a birthday event for Christie .