Christie: 'Now is not my time'
(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.
"Now is not my time. I have a commitment to New Jersey that I simply will not abandon," Christie said at a press conference in Trenton. "That's the promise I made to the people of this state when I took office."
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."
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More CNN breaking news: Christie Speaks
I am sure Gov. Christie is smart enough to know that the moment to run for POTUS might come along once in a lifetime, and rarely does it present itself twice. Should he not run know, the window may not open again for 16-20 years. That's a long time to stay on the top of the list of favorites.
Why bothering this dude, he is of course, very fascinating guy. He told clearly on Pierce Morgan show, he is not running for President. You know what happens, if he runs, half-heart, he will mess....do not bother this dude....
@ enough of lies: "whats the matter obama, afraid, really afraid, you should be, We The People are coming and WE Are Coming For You. You Will Be Fired."
With spokespersons such as this, the New Grand Old Party ought to be very proud of just who it is they are now representing. It's a message we see time after time: anger, fear, threats ... no wonder Boehner, Cantor, McCain, McConnell, and the rest of the old guard are shaking in their own shoes. They know whats in store for them if THEY don't tow the line of this New Grand Old Party filled with TeaPer hate and dissension. Doesn't look to promising for the GOP. Doesn't look to promising for America, either.
sigh...will this be a new flavor!!!
Why do we need an announcement that someone is going to make an announcement??
I guess that's how REAL IMPORTANT people do it.
YES! Another candidate to further dilute the vote. Christie will now become the new Perry and Romney the new Bachmann. Ron Paul will win the nomination
He won't run. It's too late. Besides, who'd vote for a guy who's say over and over that he thinks he's not ready for it? Jumping in now would just complicate an already dire situation for the GOP.
He'll wait and prepare for 2016. If he's smart.
He would be well advised to stay out of this race and get in in 2016.
The teapublikans' new flavor of the week' christie.
As soon as they discover all he has said about tthem including calling them crazies.
He might be a little late, but my lord look at the other choices...hes going to gain ground very fast.
PLEASE.... Stay in NJ
He has stated a number of times that he is not running for President, that he is not ready. If he announces that he is now running, there is no reason to ever believe anything he says in the future. In addition, it just emphasizes to the American voting population that there is no viable Republican candidate.
LOL!!!
This is a JOKE rite..
Not a snowballs chance in hell....
Run, run, flavor of the month! Last month, Perry. This month, Christie. Next month, Palin? Oh my – getting interesting!!!
Reaching..reaching..GOP's desperation is showing......I hear Floyd Ziffle is going to run too.
If Christie is the nominee, he'll FLATTEN Obama! But I doubt he'll run at this point. It's a bit late in the process.
some very powerful people are trying very hard to find a viable candidate against obama....
Who cares? He's a Conservative. They are as interchangeable as light bulbs. They all think the same, speak the same, and vote the same.
Super.....yawn....jump in....there's PLENTY of ummmmm.......room in the pool...
We all already knew this.
How many times does this guy have to say he's not running?
This is quite interesting and entertaining. Who is the next GOP contender? I think the lady from Alaska in warming up now to jump in the race!
Christie was the one who took his son on helicopter ride using tax payer money. Regardless whether it was his son 's birthday ordinary folks like you or myself cannot get such a treat.
As much as I dislike him, I give him credit for not pulling a "Palin".