I think so. Most of his problems with the base are over his behavior, not necessarily actions he's taken as Governor, and could be washed away once he starts campaigning as a conservative Republican.
Do you really think his Tea-Party opponents (for the sake of argument, let's suppose Rand Paul runs) will let the base forget Chris Christie's transgressions against GOP orthodoxy -and worse, his (sometimes even physical) closeness to President Obama? I think you underestimate the potency of the argument offered by the true believers that the GOP has tried going 'moderate' the last couple of times -and both times they lost. And they will not hesitate to point out that McCain and Romney lost because they weren't right-wing enough, that now is a time to nominate one of their own, a man (or woman) of spotless adherence to conservative principles.
Judging by what has happened to Marco Rubio's 2016 chances (regardless of the fate of immigration reform in Congress), I would not hold out hope that the saner elements of the GOP will win out yet again with Chris Christie as your nominee.
