Watch Chris Christie try to be an etiquette coach during the Republican debate

Back in New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie is well known for his mockery and taunts. One of his first viral moments was calling a columnist “thin-skinned,” and he once referred to a state lawmaker as “numb nuts.”

The news website NJ.com even created an "insult generator" to catalog Christie’s quips and takedowns. But Christie was a little more delicate during Wednesday night's debate when one of the CNBC moderators tried to interject while he was answering a question.

“Even in New Jersey, what you’re doing is called rude,” he said.

The comment was apparently a hit with viewers – Republican pollster Frank Luntz said his focus group loved it.

"Even in New Jersey, that's considered rude!" hits 97. Second highest score of the night. Chris Christie coming on strong. #GOPDebate

— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) October 29, 2015

Some commentators also thought it was a strong moment for Christie.

"Even in New Jersey that would be rude" is Christie's best line in quite a while

— James Fallows (@JamesFallows) October 29, 2015

ha, christie finally scores with a jersey dig: "even in new jersey, what you're doing is called rude."

— Amy S. Rosenberg (@amysrosenberg) October 29, 2015

But others, including one New Jersey viewer, were unimpressed.

Hey Chris Christie - Those of us from the polite State of New Jersey are unimpressed with your assumptions. Speak for your own rude self.

— Maria Deasy (@MariaDeasyLive) October 29, 2015

Gov. Christie is calling someone rude? Now I know I have heard it all. #CNBCGOPDebate

— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) October 29, 2015

Christie has been trailing in the polls, leaving some to wonder whether he needed a strong performance to get his campaign on track. When it was over, he seemed happy with how it all turned out for him.

"I think it went really well. I'm really happy with how it went," Christie said before leaving the building. "I did well." #GOPDebate

— Matt Arco (@MatthewArco) October 29, 2015

UPDATE:

8:59 p.m.: This article was updated with additional reaction to Christie's comments.

This article was originally published at 8:46 p.m.