Senator Ted Cruz. Governor Chris Christie.

Neither man lacks for confidence. Or ambition. Both are fighting for a shot to take on the Democratic challenger in the 2016 presidential race.

And both had widely talked about moments during the CNBC debate that came via their attacks on the media.

This week, NJPR’s Matt Katz and special guest Ben Philpott from KUT’s The Ticket 2016 podcast, join us for an in-depth look at two forceful candidates who have been struggling to be heard in a crowded primary.

They represent two different strands of the Republican Party. And stylistically, they couldn’t be further apart. Ted likes Star Wars. Christie? Springsteen. The Gov rarely talks about faith. The Senator brings religion front-and-center. Ben Philpott says Cruz is “always on” and “doesn’t come off as a guy you’d want to go to a bar with,” while Christie, according to Katz, “can seem like the guy next to you at the airport bar.”

Speaking with host David Furst, Ben and Matt consider who might be best-positioned to pick up votes if the front-runners begin to falter.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.