NBC: Chris Christie Has ‘a Much Narrower Path to Victory’ in 2016

GUTHRIE: “New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally launching his presidential campaign later this morning. He will enter what would have been unexpected, just a couple years ago he is an underdog. NBC's Kelly O’Donnell is in Livingston, New Jersey, for the big announcement. Kelly, good morning to you.”

O’DONNELL: “Good morning, Savannah. He is one of the most well known Republican governors in the country but now with a much narrower path to victory in the GOP nomination. But today the Chris Christie logo is up here in Livingston high school gym. They’re setting up the round stage that he will use. Advisers tell me no teleprompter, no prepared remarks. He’ll be talking to longtime friends and supporters here in the high school gym where he was a student back in 1980. This will be a campaign about Chris Christie, his personality, his modest background, and it won't be so much about ideology. It will be the force of Chris Christie. Like him or don't like him. And advisers do acknowledge it's been harder to raise money. He has suffered poll ratings that have tumbled in the wake of the bridge lane-closure scandal. But they think he can be a more interesting and compelling candidate in this race. More interesting than some other Republicans in the field, he will go right from here to New Jersey to New Hampshire where they say his ability to take voters' questions and to weather the national media spotlight will serve him well in New Hampshire, a place where that will count. So despite his diminished standing, they think his formidable personal skills will make it work for Chris Christie and make him part of the race or a force in the race at least to start out. Savannah?”