He’s the Big Tease!
New Jersey Christie announced this afternoon that he’s not running for president next year, saying “now is not my time.”
“New Jersey, whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me,” he said, adding he has “unfinished business” as governor.
The news conference at the governor’s office Trenton was added to his schedule this morning as speculation swirled over whether the pugnacious Republican would join the GOP field for president.
“This is not the time to leave unfinished business,” he said.
Christie wanted to make his no-go decision final to avoid becoming a distraction for the declared GOP candidates for president. The monumental decision also was absorbing his attention and diverting him from his gubernatorial duties.
“Now is not my time. I have a commitment to New Jersey,” said Christie.
Christie said he has no regrets about his decision.
“I have a great job and I love doing it. … I don’t feel any sense of regret at all,” he said.
Christie had ruled out a run months ago, but last week reconsidered following a strong draft movement that included members of the Bush family and committed GOP activists and well-heeled donors.
“I spent a lot of time [thinking about a presidential run]. … It just never felt right for me to leave,” he said.
Christie, who said he’d gotten mail from regular citizens imploring him to make a White House run, took jabs at President Obama at his announcement.
“Overall, he’s failed the American people,” said Christie.
He did not rule out a future run and would not endorse any other candidate currently in the GOP field looking to replace Obama next year. Christie also said he’s also not expecting anyone to ask him to run for vice-president.
“I don’t see it happening. You don’t run for that job,” he said.
The former federal prosecutor kept his decision close to the vest. He did not give anything away when he appeared at a private fundraiser for a NJ legislative candidate near Trenton.
“This entire exercise has elevated Gov. Christie’s public profile an a positive way. At the same time I think the governor is realistic about the financial and logistical difficulty of entering the race this late,’’ said GOP consultant Roger Stone.
Stone added that Christie has “greatly enhanced the prospects of his being selected for vice president.”