Christie Said to Be Considering Entering 2012 Republican Presidential Race
bloomberg.com
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has said he wouldn’t run for president in 2012, is actively considering entering the race and may make a decision within a few days, said a Republican donor who asked not to be identified.
The governor, 49, is being pressured by Republican leaders and benefactors to enter the race as soon as possible, according to the person, who said he has spoken to Christie’s inner circle of advisers and isn’t authorized to speak publicly.
Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Christie, declined to comment. Rick Gorka, a spokesman for the New Jersey Republican State Committee, declined to comment.
Christie has said repeatedly that he would “have to commit suicide” to convince people he won’t seek higher office in 2012. He came under increasing pressure to change his mind after Texas Governor Rick Perry, a Republican presidential candidate, stumbled in a Sept. 22 debate, said a Republican close to Christie, who declined to be identified because he isn’t authorized to speak for him publicly.
Christie made a national round of speeches and fundraisers this week. He has no public schedule today.
During a Sept. 27 speech at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, Christie assailed President Barack Obama as a “bystander in the Oval Office.” He also spoke on domestic and foreign policy, politics and national defense. When asked by an audience member if he would run, Christie pointed to video clips on the Politico website of him saying he wouldn’t be a candidate.
Christie became a Republican star when he cut $10 billion in projected spending, feuded with the unions representing teachers and government workers, and required state employees to pay more for pensions and health insurance. In 2009, he unseated Democrat Jon Corzine in a race that focused primarily on voters’ dissatisfaction with taxes and the economy. |
