It’s always a bit risky for a Republican to go on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart – particularity if you are a rising star.

Stewart pressed New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on the show, accusing him of acting hypocritical by asking for federal money to rebuild his state in the wake of Hurricane Sandy – but vetoing the bill to comply with Obamacare by creating state health insurances.

Christie effectively parried Stewart’s pious declarations, earned applause from the audience, and concluded the episode looking like an empathetic bi-partisan leader.

“You keep that up, and I think that you and Hillary are going to have a hell of a battle in 2016,” Stewart said.