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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I'd like to make a press announcement that I won't run for president either. CNN when will you be here?
Hmm. Okay. Christie, out. Perry, falling. Cain, rising. Romney, hiding. Without any new candidates, which is extremely doubtful, and barring any unforeseen game changers, then this nomination race is shaping up to be Cain vs. Romney. Isn't that ironic?
The irony is that Cain may be the person who forces the Tea Party to shift out of hyperspace, back into reality. As much as they may prefer Cain's views, they would rather force themselves to embrace Romney's moderation. So, one black guy creates the Tea Party frenzy, and another black guy just might cause it to abate.
Seriously, this is not news. CNN...I know you are trying to keep your website dynamic, but this is really OLD news.
He should run in 2016. He would have a really good shot at being Prez.
Obama 2012.
Christie 2016.
Lets how he feels for the 2016 race. I hope he's in then.
This is the first time i can say I like this man. He does has his own mind. I thought for a minute he was going to fold under the pressure. He's doing right. If it is not in your heart right now don't do it just to get rid of Obama. Let the chips fall where they may. Good job Chris.
Christie is a lib. We don't want him
He thinks he is too fat to be US president.
Dumb. He said this 1000x.
"new poll results that showed Christie in forth place nationally"? Or maybe they are "pole" results?
This is the right decision. America can not afford to have another inexperienced politician as president.
This man, Christie, has the ability to use logic, and common sense;, he shouldn't be identified with the element that's leading the Republican Party at this point of time.
how is this even close to breaking news?
NOw, dont get me wrong, but if the Republicans were smart, and they are not, they would nominate Romney as there presdential candidate, and Romney shoul pick Cain as vice. They would get all of the republican votes plus half of the black vote away from Obama. That is the most logical thing that could happen, but like I said, the Republicans arent that smart. Christie cant run because he has a contract with New Jersey and the mob wont let him out of it.
BD70 – Don't let experience stop you....Bachmann is running....
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Obama is President
The GOP "elite" wanted Cristie to run so that Romney looked conservative.
He's waiting until everything is back closer to normal. Were he to win, he'd be faced with everything Obama was faced with after Bush. Better for him to run something on the rise rather than have to continue to fix Bush's mess.
Not a Christie fan, but he seems to have made a smart choice on this one.
Oh, thank God!
Let's face it the Republican Party is all messed up, hence the invention of the Tea Party. Congrats President Obama on your re-election. – JERSEYTOMATO 2016
Of course, he knows 2012 is Obama's and 2016 will be hillarys so in 2020 or 2024
Enough of the Chris Christie ego fest already. CNN, I'm changing the channel.
He wouldn't have gotten the nod anyways. It's way too late into the primary season for anybody to start setting up a campaign or even get onto the ballots.
Beyond that, his positions on social issues are way too moderate for the Tea Party... If Christie ran, it would just guarantee victory for Rick Perry because the Moderate GOP vote would be split.
The problem with the Republicans is they are too far right and verging on fanatics. Not one of the GOP candidates offer anything to the Struggling Americans – not one of them. Not that Obama has been so great – he's tried to compromise with these domestic terrorists too many times – but even with that no GOP will beat Obama. Just like the Democrats stayed home and didn't vote in the mid year 2010 election, Republicans will stay home this time. I've read too many articles on how the GOP themselves can't wrap their arms around any of their candidates – and the polls shift daily between who's bad and who's worse.
RON PAUL is the People's Choice in 2012! Place signs, bumper stickers, and volunteer. We only have one shot at freedom. All for Paul. Join the REVOLUTION!!!!!
This is pathetic. He's not worthy of such airtime. Saying he's staying because his job as governor isn't done because the state was in bad shape when he came into office, yet Mr. Obama's presidency should be limited to one term? Wow!! Meanwhile, in real time news, China is offering serious repercussions over the weight of American currency.