
(CNN) – California Gov. Jerry Brown defended his recent fitness challenge against New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Sunday, saying the move was not a swipe at the Republican governor's weight, but a way to show that people his age aren’t over the hill.
"(It) essentially says this old retread can beat you any day of the week," Brown said on CNN's "State of the Union."
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At the Republican National Convention, Christie referred to the California governor as an "old retread." So Brown challenged Christie to a three-mile race, as well as a chin-up and pushup contest.
Christie responded Wednesday, telling reporters at a press conference that "Brown can have that contest with himself."
The California governor, however, stood by his invitation Sunday, saying he got "warmed up" in the speech where he initially called for the face-off.
"I'm old. Yes, well, I'm 74. I'll be 74 and a half next month," Brown said Sunday. "But here I am. You know, there is some experience. Hopefully, there's some wisdom. So I got kind of warmed up."
Watch State of the Union with Candy Crowley Sundays at 9am ET. For the latest from State of the Union click here.


Christi, lose some weight. You will be dead before you are 55, AND your lack of self-control reflects poorly on you and the entire state of New Jersey.
Being physically fit also hels keep the body fit. I'm pretty sure that by the time Christie is 74 he WILL be over the hill and unable to have the clarity to do much of anything besides waste oxygen – that's assuming he hasn't done himself in with his unhealthy lifestyle before then.
That first sentence should have been being physically fit also keeps the MIND fit.
I don't understand why Democrats always back away from a fight. Here Brown says its not about weight, its about age. Yes it is about weight and it should be about Cristie's weight. Cristie is a bully throwing his considerable weight around but when it comes to real achievements like walking from his helicopter to his son's ball game, Christie can't do it and that should be emphasized. Brown and the press should continue to push until Christie apologizes and maybe even drops a few pounds.
I am just trying to unstand that all don.t mean errer
If Gov Christie doesn't lose weight, he risks dying from a heart attack or stroke before the next presidential election cycle in 2016. Being grossly over weight is no laughing matter.
"Christie responded Wednesday, telling reporters at a press conference that "Brown can have that contest with himself."
At the rate he is going now, Gov. Christie will never live to see 74 years of age. It's his choice.
Make the contest wrestling or the old 'rough and tumble' and I'll put my money on Christie to crush Jerry like an eggshell. The hard-working taxpayers of California would cheer.
OMG – I just saw a preview of MTP and Romney just did the biggest ETCH-A-SKETCH in all of history – He is NOT going to REPEAL ObamaCare – NOW, he is going to REPLACE IT – He's going to "keep" the good things in it and get rid of the BAD STUFF – First of all, what BAD STUFF is in it – it is exactly what he did in MA – Second, all of a sudden now he's not calling it "ObamaCare" ??? – it's "affordable health care!!"
AMERICA WAKE UP – Romney is dangerous!! Can we trust him with SECRETS and "behind the door" deals that takes place when you are the leader of the free world??? We can't even trust him in broad daylight!!!
Obama 2012 – The Only Trusted Way Forward!!!
The lesson is, when your actual health is equivalent to an 80 year old like Christie's, you shouldn't call other people old.
Christie's weight is a serious concern to all of us who like him to stay healthy. He needs help the same as a bulimic person does.
There is an obesity plague in America that costs the nation as much as $147 billion - and ... Obesity - America's Number One Health Problem .
I'm sure glad New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has his health care paid by the tax payers of the great state of New Jersey !
Why would he feel the need to take care of his body , the government will ! This shows the lack of basic healthcare education in America.
Attraction is a powerful means of Promotion .
Brilliant – no CNN doing hit jobs on Christie's weight? Really? Who cares what gov moonbeam says?
Romney 2012!
Christie will not live to 60, he'll die young and stays young forever,that is the reason he's jealous other people old.
@T'sah From Virginia
Of course Romney has to say he'll gut ObamaCare. How else can he turn Medicare into VoucherCare but to gut Medicare, which is a huge factor in ObamaCare. Not only will Romney gut ObamaCare, but he'll have to gut Medicaid too to put his VoucherCare plan into action. Romeny would never get a Republican congress to keep two seperate programs going for Medicare receipents simultaneously, therefore America would indeed see the end of Medicare as we know it under a Mitt Romney presidency.
Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practise to deceive ... yes, Mitt Romney?
Christie responded Wednesday, telling reporters at a press conference that "Brown can have that contest with himself."
Adding, "I'll be at the buffet if you need me."
Anybody else mad as heck that taxpayers are going to have to pay for all the expensive care Christie will require due to his morbid obesity – if he doesn't die of a heart attack first?
Where's the "personal responsibility" in this? Shouldn't Christie be taking care of himself so he won't be a mooch at the public trough?
Hypocrite!
What does the gop blimp have to day.about this ,although ,he's better than romney the tax cheat and he would have been a better vp choice then lyin Ryan ,the gop has no chance on Nov with romney the tac cheat and lyin Ryan ,
Gop should try 3012!!!
Yeah no kidding...Christie is half a hotdog away from a heart attack.
T'sah from Virginia, so who is flip flopping, Pres.Obama "if I can't turn the economy around I will be a ONE TERM PRESIDENT" bet your telling me he is evolving.
He can't even walk a block, how the heck would he ever run 3 miles. He has no self-control.
He turned down the opportunity for 3 million good jobs in NJ and right now NJ is in serious trouble. Look it up. Please don't take my word for it. And don't argue with me until you HAVE looked it up.
I chastise myself for reading silly articles such as this one. Stop wasting time! Stop wasting time!
to Marine1957: Why did they elect him, then?
I use to like Christe, but he seems more like an over weight school yard bully these days than a man to respect..................