(CNN) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who's considering a 2016 White House run, listed some names for "good" potential Republican presidential candidates, including two non-governors.
In an interview to air Monday night on Fox News Channel, Christie also hit back at critics who blasted him for appearing too close with President Barack Obama after Superstorm Sandy, which came just days before the 2012 presidential election.
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The segment is the second part of an interview taped last week with Fox's Megyn Kelly for her program "The Kelly File," and part of a media blitz Christie launched after an internal review cleared him of any wrongdoing in the George Washington Bridge controversy.
Christie's picks
Asked to name who he considers the top three potential Republican candidates for president, Christie said it would be difficult to narrow the list down to three, "but I'll give you the ones I think I are really good."
"I think (former Florida Gov.) Jeb Bush would be an outstanding candidate for president. I think (Wisconsin Gov.) Scott Walker would be a good candidate for president. I think (2012 vice presidential nominee) Paul Ryan would be a good candidate for president."
As for Sen. Rand Paul, Christie said the Kentucky Republican, who also happens to be one of Christie's biggest policy rivals, would simply be "credible" and went on to name another potential contender.
"I think (Florida Sen.) Marco Rubio would be a good candidate for president," Christie continued.
Paul, who finds himself at the top of some recent 2016 GOP nomination polls, and Christie have publicly feuded in the past year on issues related to federal spending and national security. Their sparring represents a wider debate that pits the more pragmatic, moderate part of the GOP against the libertarian-leaning and tea party friendly end of the political spectrum.
Regardless of who the nominee is, Christie added, he'd still support that person.
"I'm a Republican, and whatever differences I may have with any one of those people I just named...it would be minor compared to the difference I would have with whoever the Democratic nominee is," he said.
Christie considered running for president in 2012 but decided not to launch a bid and endorsed Mitt Romney instead in October 2011.
As he mulls the decision again, the governor said he's now "older and more experienced."
"It's certainly something I've said to everybody that I'll consider," he added.
'I would say the exact same thing'
One reason why some Republicans are hesitant to back Christie stems from his open embrace of Obama right after Superstorm Sandy demolished parts of the Jersey Shore in late October 2012. Christie's praise of the President–about a week before Election Day–infuriated many Romney loyalists who argue Christie helped bolster Obama's appearance before voters went to the polls.
Romney has repeatedly said he holds no ill will toward Christie over the episode and doesn't believe it affected the outcome of the election.
"Romney said to me at the time...you're doing your job. Go do your job as best you can," Christie said.
The governor pointed to his own support for Romney in the year leading up to the election.
"First of all there was not one person with possible exception of Paul Ryan in American who worked harder for Mitt Romney," Christie said. "I was the first governor to come out and endorse him in fall of 2011, I traveled to 26 states for him."
"So some people have...a very short memory. Fortunately, Mitt Romney doesn't," Christie continued. "And the fair people don't. When that crisis hit, I was asked, has the President been responsive? Has the President been there to help your people? And my answer was yes. And Megyn if I had to do it again I would say the exact same thing because it was the honest answer."
CNN Political Editor Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.