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 mean, seriously, can you imagine? You know, the guy would probably want to get a food taster."
Well – I think we know who wants THAT job!
Well, shucks, I was hoping to get a GOP candidate who looks the part: Porker, Oinker, etc.
Mario
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
=====================================================
Ron Paul is winning nothing. No foreign Policy, He is against killing the identified terrorists on the list, like Al awAlacki or however you spell the terrorists name.. He doesn't understand what an enemy combatant is, American or otherwise. And Yes we have a congressional declared was against terrorists...On this front alone he is not electable.
Good for Christie. Being rushed into such an important role isn't what this country needs. Gain more experience, Finish what you start, Then maybe run next Election. But dont give in to the brainless drones BEGGING for a Savior.
Ye s the Govorner should continue to work on his states unemployment rate....It sits at 9.4%..........
Good for Christie-–At least he could not be bought. And family first.
What a relief! This announcement just saved the taxpayers from the expense of letting out the White House, so he'll fit in the front door.
Thank god...!!
Poor GOP what a let down, everyone was so giddy at the prospect of President Christie, maybe Sookie is available you've asked everyone else.
anyone else refusing to read any more of these Amanda Knox stories?
Who gives a rip what Humpty Dumpty wants to do
All the other candidates are afraid of Christie. If he gets in he will eat their lunch, literally.
Do they still have Taft's old bathtub in storage?
You have to be a better alternative to win and none in the GOP line up is it.. FACT people so stop the delusion and get back to work...
He's note a saint – no one expects that but there are reasons why he doesn't want to run so let him go. on JOBS, I heard Eric Cantor on NPR this morning say there is NO WAY he will let the House vote on a Jobs Bill. Period. For all of you Americans who are out of work, underemployed, or have kids or grandkids who can't get jobs, please ask why Eric Cantor should decide whether we get a jobs bill or not - why should one lousy congressman get to decide whether there is an honest debate and an up or down vote on a jobs bill for the American people. That should be the story today – Eric Cantor should not get to decide that for all Americans who are living close to the edge or whose kids aren't getting enough to eat everyday because they need better work or just plain work.
Thank you. Your five minutes are up. Please shut the door behind you.
Need a job? Become a dumb reporter. You don't have to be very smart for 30 reporters to ask Christie the same question 30 times.
Just another opportunity for folks to make nasty comments about the President, Governor Christie and anybody else they happen to dislike.
The jokes about Governor Christie's size just go to show how little we care about people who are different. The Governor's size has nothing to do with his ability to govern and add nothing to this debate.
I think somebody put something in Founder1791's kool-aid.....
'If cooperations are people'. In the past four years which of these cooperation will have given you the largest return on your investment- romney; perry; obama (presidency aside) or palin? The truth be told palin would have made us all millionaires. She is the 'google' of the political cooperate world. Call me cynical but if she does for others what she has done for herself america will be the winner. Capitalist thinking.
I
am
not
running
for
president
either.
Christie: 'Now is not my time' -- Gotta' do a little time on the StairMaster first.
Christie may be slightly smarter than I thought...
For all you fooled by his straight shooting talk, one of the biggest problems in NJ (besides corruption) is high property taxes. I pay 7840.00/year in property taxes. And by the way, that is about the state average. I know many people paying much more. One brother pays 12K, the other 10K. My sister's home has a yearly tax bill of 9K. I have another sister paying about 5500/year, so she gets off easy. Mr. Christie's tax is 36,000.00 on his home, per year. It is disgusting. You never really own your home in NJ. The tax man does. This problem continues to remain a serious issue, and in my eyes, it has not improved.
He himself just publicly stated that he will focus on making president obama a one term president, this is disgusting. why can't we fix the country instead of trying to destroy our president?
@ AlaskaPalin
'If cooperations are people'. In the past four years which of these cooperation will have given you the largest return on your investment- romney; perry; obama (presidency aside) or palin? The truth be told palin would have made us all millionaires. She is the 'google' of the political cooperate world. Call me cynical but if she does for others what she has done for herself america will be the winner. Capitalist thinking.
________________________________
Capitalist thinking? In the Capitalist system, there are winners and losers. The biggest losers are the people of Alaska, who she bailed on to go worship the Golden Calf, and her supporters who are too blind to see what she has done to them. The article is about Chris Christie, who actually is completing his obligations to the people who elected him, unlike your idol. Yes, we are in a capitalist system, and you are the loser.