Chris Christie’s presidential campaign took another tough blow today via an endorsement from a newspaper that hasn’t picked a winner in this century.

Following in the proud tradition of Newt Gingrich (2012), John McCain (2008), and, umm, Steve Forbes (2000), Chris Christie has won the favor of the New Hampshire Union Leader. What swayed them? Christie’s history of telling it like it is:

“Gov. Christie is right for these dangerous times,” the paper’s publisher Joseph McQuaid wrote in an editorial. “He has prosecuted terrorists and dealt admirably with major disasters. But the one reason he may be best-suited to lead during these times is because he tells it like it is and isn’t shy about it.”

Not everyone can tell it like it is the way Christie does, though. The trick is finding the right like-it-is-teller:

“Other candidates have gained public and media attention by speaking bluntly. But it’s important when you are telling it like it is to actually know what you are talking about. Gov. Christie knows what he is saying because he has experienced it.

CNN reckons this endorsement will be “a big boost” for Christie’s campaign, noting that he’s devoted “more time in the state than any other 2016er, hosting more than 30 town halls.” And it’s working! Why, just as recently as 10 days ago, Christie was polling at a robust 5.3 percent in the state! That’s a whole 0.3 percent better than he was polling in June.

Just keep tellin’ it like it is, Mr. Christie.

[New Hampshire Union Leader] [CNN]

Photo via AP