WHEN: Today, Friday, September 18th
WHERE: CNBC's "Squawk Box"
Following are excerpts from the unofficial transcript of a CNBC interview with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on CNBC's "Squawk Box" (M-F, 6AM-9AM ET) today. Following are links to the interview on CNBC.com: http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000422271, http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000422274 and http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000422307.
All references must be sourced to CNBC.
CHRISTIE ON THE SENATE
They are playing out of fear. They don't want to eliminate the filibuster because they go oh, we are going to be in the minority at some point and we are going to want the filibuster. How about you've got the majority, let's do something about it while you have it. And that is what I don't get and that is why you know, someone asked me a year or two ago when Senator Lautenberg passed away, would I appoint myself to the United States Senate. And I said I would rather commit suicide than be in the United States Senate because I could not bear every day going to work and getting nothing done.
CHRISTIE ON THE TAX SYSTEM
My problem with Donald's plan and everyone else is twofold. One, it doesn't really fix anything. And two, the fact is that they are just going after symbolism. Let's fix the real problem. The real problem is this tax system is rigged. It's not good, it's not good for our economy, let's fix that. Let's stop looking to see who can be the toughest on the rich because that makes good headlines. That is what Hillary Clinton does. That is not what real people who understand the economy do.
CHRISTIE ON TAXES
Let's eliminate all the loop holes and deductions except for the home mortgage interest deduction, the charitable contribution deduction. Bring the top rate down to 28%, have three rates – have the bottom rate be 8%. Everybody gets to do their taxes in 15 minutes and everybody feels like the system is treating them fairly. The biggest problem is the middle class in this country feels like the tax system is rigged against them. And the reason they feel that way is because it is.
CHRISTIE ON CARLY FIORINA
You know what the key is to attracting female voters? Is to speak to them or talk to them the same way you speak to male voters. And the fact is, you don't want to be treated any differently on this set because you are a woman. And Carly is not going to be treated any differently by me on a debate stage because she's a woman and she wouldn't want it that way. I said the same thing to Kasich. Remember Kasich was trying to – and I said John, I'm not done yet. Now nobody asks me about saying that to John Kasich, right? Well believe me, Carly Fiorina is up there competing hard to be the nominee. So am I. She interrupts me, I'm going to tell her don't interrupt me.
CHRISTIE ON BEING PATIENT
In politics you have to be patient. And it is the hardest thing. And it is the hardest thing for a guy like me. You know, I am used to pushing and pushing. I live in a state, as you know, where I am an outsider every day as a Republican. The fact is that you've got to be patient. And I'm just going to keep doing my work, working hard, and we will be fine ultimately. But you know, for people who don't like you, they think that is whistling past the graveyard. For people who support you like Ken supports me, we know that this will come around. But it is just going to take time.
CHRISTIE ON POLITICS BEING A VOLATILE BUSINESS
Let's remember, you know, right now, four years ago, Rick Perry was at 30%. Four years later, he is out of the race for a second time. So, you know, politics is a very volatile business. And the people who are rewarded are the people who are steady and strong, know what they believe in, know who they are and can speak to the concerns of the American people.
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