(CNN) - Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey announced Tuesday he will not run for president in 2012.
The first-term governor said the pressure he received over the past few months caused him to consider throwing his hat in the ring - after repeatedly shooting down rumors - but that ultimately he is committed to his position in the Garden State.
Christie fielded recent calls to run for president and spent time discussing the possibility of a White House bid with his family, friends and operatives. Now, having decided against a bid, Christie said he does not "feel any sense of regret at all."
"I felt like it was my obligation as I said before given the seriousness and the amount of people who were coming to me and asking me to reconsider to reconsider and I did," Christie said. "In the end I came back to the same place I was in the whole year."
He pushed back against reports that his family was skeptical throughout the process, saying they supported him, whether he decided to run for president or not.
When asked about the rest of the GOP presidential field, Christie said his decision was not affected by the strength or weakness of the pool.
"None of them were a factor," he said before adding that he was not prepared to make an endorsement.
He also brushed aside suggestions, in his typically brash fashion that he would serve in the No. 2 spot on the Republican ticket.
“Listen, I don’t imagine I’m going to be asked. I don’t think I have the personality to be asked,” Christie said. “I mean, seriously, can you imagine? You know, the guy would probably want to get a food taster. I don’t know, seriously, I don’t see it.”
The newly minted vice chair of the Republican Governors Association said he is now focused on making sure President Barack Obama only serves one term as president.
"He's failed the American people because he's failed that absolute litmus test to be President of the United States and that's to know how to lead and how to decide," Christie said.
Christie light heartedly addressed the coverage of his weight that escalated in recent weeks, particularly among comedians. As long as the jokes are funny, he is OK with the coverage, he said.
"For me, their job is to be funny. And if one of the things they want to make fun of is my weight, it's fair game," Christie said. "I'm a public figure … All I care about is that they actually are funny so that I can at least laugh about it while they are mocking me."
From CNN Politics
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Nice work on the "breaking" news. He's been flat out saying NO for weeks.
Hellooooooooo McFly....this is only news if he said he IS going to run.
I think he has said no about a dozen times.
It's about time Christie the Hut made this absolutely clear.
Really? No surprise there. What he is not coming straight to say is "Look at me. Do you seriously think I can survive the rigors of being POTUS?".
This is the guy that took the helicopter to his son's game, then a limo from within the park to the stands. The Right is so desperate it's comical!
duh. He never said he's considering, he's held his ground that he will not run.
Thank God he's not running. We couldn't afford to feed him if elected.
Can you imagine if he had run?? The leftist press would have had a field day replaying the tape that says his heart isn't into running............... for the highest office in the land.
This is not news. How many times has he already said he is not going to run? Now if he said he was going to run, that would be news.
This is the 1567th time he has said he won't run. Will you get it now mainstream media?
Leave him alone. If you don't like the other Republican nominees, vote for Obama!
No means no.
good decision, no chance of winning!!! chris vs. hillary will be interesting in 2016
Why does the media make this such a headline issue? He said many times he was not interested in running and had no plans to run. THIS IS NOT "BREAKING NEWS"
And he won't run in 2013, 2014, 2015, etc .... probably won't even jog during that time either.
Elvis has left the building!....Thank u vera much!
Christie is about the only Republican left with some sense.
Chris Christie's decision not to run in 2012 comes at no surprise. He has been saying no for the past several months.
This isn't breaking news ... he's been saying he won't be running for a month. Media corps have nothing better to do than to put attention elsewhere because all other GOP contenders besides Ron Paul are a flop.
Can't manage the heat i guess!
Well, he said many times before that he wasn't going to run, and that didn't stop him from reconsidering his position. What's to stop him from reconsidering again?
Yeah, GOP wanted Sarah Palin as his running mate. Good decision Christie.
He is too liberal for the teapublicans...
Wasn't that what he said all along?
Christie reminds me of Pat Paulsen, the comedian on the Laugh Show in the 1960's. "I will not run if nominated and will not serve if elected".