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."
He's smart for not running. Ron Paul and Huntsman are the only viable candidates that will represent the American Public.
I can't stand the rest that strut around in their $1400 suits and $400 haircuts... acting important. What a bunch of phonies they are.
Not a republican, but I like that Christie is sticking to his promise to the people of New Jersy. Sarah Palin could learn a thing or two from this guy.
I don't blame Christie for not wanting to jump into this GOP dog & pony show. I hear the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns are ashamed of the idiots the GOP is presenting as candidates for the republican presidential nomination because they can't even give a decent impression of being clowns!
Smart decision. If he had decided to run, he would have been forced to run like a right-wing extremist, even though he is a moderate. The role of a moderate running as a right-wing extremist has already been filled (Romney). If he does not run like a right-wing extremist, he would have the same fate as Huntsman (who, in all fairness, is really running for 2016).
no breaking new he already said no this man his gettting ready for 2016
he should have run
I like Christie..He's a smart man.. There's this underlying fear notion with many other smart Republicans who refuse to run for president NOW.. as they're all saying NOT NOW, NOT MY TIME... Because NOT one of them want to be the one who loses a presidential run to Obama, the first black president..in 2012.. If they lose, they fear it may ruin their political career forever. They all think Obama is inferior and they don't want to lose to inferiority.
It has been reported that the Koch brothers are doing business with Iran. Isn't that domestic terrorism and shouldn't these terrorist be taken out?
Good for Christie, sticking to his guns and fulfilling his commitment to NJ. His time will come.
Unfortunately, this leaves the schlubs we currently have....
The GOP congress must be held accountable for what they have done (NOT DONE in most cases). If these clowns aren't voted out so that the country can move forward, we will then become the worst country on the planet!
I'm disappointed, he could have been the next William Howard Taft.
Sure hope his decision was not influenced by the pundits who said his weight was a disqualifier.
Looks like he has left the door open a little. Yea
The full blown APB continues for the GOP contender.
They might have to go "off the reservation" again like they did with Palin to find their candidate.
My question is: Why are they so desperate to find someone? Don't they already have Cain???
Bwahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama 2012.
This big guy needs to go to WW, Lindora or any other program. His health issue is a BIG one!! Republicans are beginning to read the message.........THERE IS NO ONE TO BEAT OBAMA!!! that is the real deal.
All the republicans hoping he will run – do you guys know anything at all about him – anything ? republicans are a desperate bunch. First you welcome Palin with open arms and now this. I guess it makes sense considering you voted wrestlers , actors and even foreign actors to office.
Simply hilarious! How many dumb reporters does it take to ask the same question before it finally sinks in? More than I ever thought. No wonder the media is so liberal. The educational standards for a reporter must be close to the requirements for a community organizer.
I didn't think he would run. That would have made him a big fat liar since he promised the people many times that he would NOT RUN.
Maybe Christies doesn't want to be scrutinized on all those firemen, cops and teachers he downsized/fired or cut their salaries while at the same time he gave tax cuts to the gambling casino's. (and that includes Donald Trump)
Sounded like the national convention for dumb reporters.
Is this news, or are you just repeating something he said multiple times before?
Gov Christie would have been hard to run against. I am a democrat, and find him very impressive. He's is a realist, standup kind of guy. He appears to take his job seriously, and actually, appears to be decisive, and ethical. I still support President Obama, but if Christie had run, He would have to really bring his "A" Game. Absolutely refreshing to see a Republican Candidate who makes sense, so does John Huntsman. Neither stray from their ideological beliefs, but they are realist, and understand that in order to get something done, sometimes you have to compromise, and disagree without all of this rancor, and ugly rhetoric
a man this big and this unable to pass along a cheese danish is not the person i want picking up the phone at 3am to handle an emergency. he will cough out a slice of pizza and spark a nuclear war
Not now, not ever.
Wow I'm disappointed. We want him out of NJ.