Christie moves in to Obama's old office

September 8, 5:39 PMNorth Jersey Conservative ExaminerMark Impomeni

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  AP Photo/Mel Evans

Republican gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie's campaign sent out a Twitter update this morning that was notable for the no doubt deliberate irony it contained.

"en route to Newark to open Victory 2009 HQ with Sheriff Kim. It's the old Barack Obama HQ near the NJPAC."

Christie has been borrowing President Obama's successful campaign theme of change to make his case to New Jersey voters that new leadership is needed in Trenton. Obama is much more popular in New Jersey than incumbent Governor Jon Corzine, and Christie has not been shy about embracing the president whenever possible.

Earlier this summer, Obama paid a high-profile visit to New Jersey to campaign and raise funds for Corzine. Rather than lay low, however, Christie got the jump on Corzine, releasing a web video welcoming Obama to the Garden State and identifying himself with the president as an agent of change. The unusual strategy of aligning with an opponent's chief advocate may have paid off, as Obama visit yielded no significant movement in the polls for Corzine, and may have even hurt his chances at re-election.

Now team Christie is taking the symbolism to the extreme, literally moving into Obama's old campaign headquarters in Newark. For his part, Corzine calls the president, "a significant asset." The Christie campaign seems to agree.