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Gov. Christie starts PAC; Rubio, Paul, Cruz debate

By Frances Burns
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie walks on Lambeau Field before the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 11, 2015 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/UPI
1 of 4 | New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie walks on Lambeau Field before the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 11, 2015 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The 2016 presidential contest heated up as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched a PAC and three senators debated before a group of conservative donors.

Marco Rubio of Florida, Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky appeared at an event Sunday evening in Palm Springs, Calif., sponsored by Charles and David Koch. While it was unofficial, the debate moderated by Jonathan Karl of ABC had some of the trappings of a campaign appearance.

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Christie's political action committee, Leadership Matters for America, allows the governor to hit up donors to fund political travel and other campaign expenses. The governor's political staff filed paperwork on Friday with Mike DuHaime, a longtime aide, listed as senior adviser and Christie as honorary chairman.

"We believe there's a void right now in leadership throughout the country," DuHaime said. "We aim to support candidates who are willing to take on tough problems and make tough decisions."

While no one in the crowded Republican field has yet officially announced a presidential candidacy, some of the potential candidates are farther along than others. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush started both a leadership PAC, which has a $5,000 limit on contributions, and a Super PAC last month.

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DuHaime said Christie has no immediate plans to start a Super PAC.

Christie has spent much of his time recently outside New Jersey. He appeared Saturday at the Iowa Freedom Summit, his 11th trip to the state since he became governor in 2010.

Seven other potential candidates made the trip, although Bush. Paul and Rubio stayed away.

In Sunday's debate, the biggest differences were on foreign policy. Paul is a supporter of President Obama's move to strengthen ties with Cuba while Rubio and Cruz, sons of immigrants from Cuba, opposes them.

Paul also told the audience "diplomacy is a good thing," taking Obama's position that the United States should delay any new sanctions against Iran while negotiations over the country's nuclear capability are underway.

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