Chris Christie hit with boos during Republican primary debate

Audience members greeted former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie with some boos when Fox News introduced him and the other seven candidates by name at Wednesday’s Republican primary debate — and again as he clashed with Vivek Ramaswamy.

Christie has distinguished himself from his peers by positioning himself as an unapologetic Trump attack-dog, which has alienated some corners of the party who remember his staunch endorsement of the former president in 2016.

The former Garden State governor seemed unmoved by the jeers.

Christie was hit with boos again after he had just finished admonishing former President Donald Trump’s conduct when the biotech entrepreneur spoke up.

“President Trump, I believe was the best president of the 21st century,” Ramaswamy said. “Honest to God, your claim that Donald Trump is motivated by vengeance and grievance would be a lot more credible if your entire campaign were not based on vengeance and grievance against [him].”

The exchange came after the moderators asked candidates if they would support Trump as the Republican nominee even if charged. All the candidates except former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signaled they would. Christie gave mixed signals.

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Ramaswamy also bashed Christie, implying he was trying out for a contributor gig on MSNBC rather than truly running for president.

“You’ve never done anything to try to advance the interests of this government except to put yourself forward as a candidate tonight,” Christie fired back.