Christie Not Running for President, Says Spokesman
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Mel Evans/AP Photo
CLAYTON, Missouri — A spokesman for New Jersey Republicans shot down speculation that Chris Christie might reconsider and jump in the presidential race.
“Governor Christie is flattered that his accomplishments in New Jersey have received so much support from voters across the country but nothing has changed with regards to the Governor’s decision not to run for President in 2012,” according to a statement from Rick Gorka, New Jersey’s GOP spokesman.
Back in April, Christie told ABC’s Diane Sawyer he did “not feel ready in his heart to be president.”
Read more about Christie’s interview with Diane Sawyer.
But while the New Jersey Republican party sought to tamp down on the speculation, one top New Jersey Republican, former Governor Tom Kean, fueled it on Monday.
“It’s real,” Kean said, according to National Journal. “He’s giving it a lot of thought. I think the odds are a lot better now than they were a couple weeks ago.”
The speculation, despite Christie’s repeated promises that he would not run, brought new attention to a week-long cross-country GOP fundraising swing kicked off today with a private event at a Ritz-Carlton here just outside of St. Louis.
Hotel security kicked ABC News out of the venue before the event had started, noting that it was closed to press. The event was held in a second-floor room known as “The Boardroom,” with a long wooden table that appeared to seat approximately 15 people.
Outside the hotel a small group of about 20 union protesters gathered momentarily before Christie’s arrival, chanting “Just say no to Christie’s lies, defend our right to organize.” But they quickly dispersed after only a matter of minutes.
With multiple entrances to the hotel, Christie was not seen making his way into the Ritz today. The hotel’s management enlisted the help of the Clayton Police Department to make sure that no members of the media — all two of us here — so much as step on the sidewalk in front of the Ritz.
As ABC’s Michael Falcone has reported, sources close to Christie have said that “the pressure from donors and other people has intensified” and the “volume of calls” urging Christie to run have increased, but that “nothing has changed” since he insisted he would not in April 2011.
After three events in the St. Louis area today and tomorrow — all closed to reporters — Christie will head to California before wrapping up his whirlwind tour later this week in Louisiana.
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This big bully is never going to become President. Obama – 2012, the GOP has no one who can beat him!! LOL!
Posted by: Justuspofolks | September 26, 2011, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
The majority of people in N.J do not like Christie. It is only the rich Republican donors that want him to run. That says a lot, money talks. Christie so called accomplishments were done because of political favors and then he stabbed them in the back. It is his way or the highway. I can’t see that working in Washington. I also would like you to read his open letter to teachers, policeman and fireman in New Jersey. He said he would not change their pension. Big Lie. Now they are paying more into a plan that the state has not paid into for 20 years.He spends more time out of of N.J. than he does in N.J.I am sure he is still being paid by the taxpayers when he is out compaigning for weeks at a time.
Posted by: Sharon S | September 26, 2011, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
The increased volume of calls for him to run is not a big endorsement for the current crop of Republican candidates. It seems to be a sign of the beginnings of desperation. But there is no superman…..
Posted by: 40acres | September 26, 2011, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
The majority of NJ LOVE Gov Christie. Keep it up Governor. We love you. Reform the unions.Stay Firm!!
Posted by: Linda | September 26, 2011, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
Don’t let Christie play the pyramid game he has played with New Jersey. All he did to balance the budget in NJ (still waiting for proof) is cut state-aide to municipalities which saved the State of NJ money but caused municipalities to double property taxes.
At the same time Christie delayed property tax relief to homeowners making it look like the lower property taxes coming up in February are the result of municipalities cutting their taxes.
Good thing residents of New Jersey have to work 120 hours a week to pay all the taxes while Governor Christie uses are hard earned tax dollars to use helicopters paid by for by the taxpayers to attend his son’s baseball game.
Same type of pyramid scheme would work by cutting state aide from the Federal government causing states to raise taxes.
Good thing we don’t have time to waste sleeping or pursing leisurely activities or we might miss being victims of the all-time government pyramid scheme.
Posted by: Audubon Ron | September 26, 2011, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
(Repeat after using grammar check)
Don’t let Christie play the pyramid game he has played with New Jersey. All he did to balance the budget in NJ (still waiting for proof) is cut state-aide to municipalities which saved the State of NJ money but caused municipalities to double property taxes.
At the same time Christie delayed property tax relief to homeowners making it look like the lower property taxes coming up in February are the result of municipalities cutting their taxes.
Good thing residents of New Jersey have to work 120 hours a week to pay all the taxes while Governor Christie uses our hard earned tax dollars to use helicopters paid for by the taxpayers to attend his son’s baseball game.
Same type of pyramid scheme would work by cutting state aide from the Federal government causing states to raise taxes.
Good thing we don’t have time to waste sleeping or pursing leisurely activities or we might miss being victims of the all-time government pyramid scheme.
Posted by: Audubon Ron | September 26, 2011, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
LoL…funny how bitter democrats write on here how the majority of NJ hates him. LoL..he won the election so obviously the majority likes him.
Posted by: donkey | September 26, 2011, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
i will not vote for perry or romey. yes for cain or christie..
Posted by: bob larson | September 26, 2011, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
Here is the man that will unseat Obama. Please run Gov. Christie. Please. You have my vote.
Posted by: Sean | September 26, 2011, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
DONKEY, September 26, 2011, 5:18 PM:
“LoL…funny how bitter democrats write on here how the majority of NJ hates him. LoL..he won the election so obviously the majority likes him.”
===============================================
LOL! …. that was BEFORE NJ tried him out as a governor. Today, he wouldn’t win his own home state and would become a complete embarrassment for the Republican party.
Posted by: Forrest Gump is a Republican | September 26, 2011, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
On the other hand… I would vote for Christie… vote for him to go on the BIGGEST LOSER TV show… LOL! It would be great to see him “waddling” his arse on a treadmill. I’ve heard that the food expenses at the Governor’s mansion consumes 25% of their operating budget now…. LOL!
Posted by: Forrest Gump is a Republican | September 26, 2011, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
As a resident of NJ, the last person you want running this country is Christie.. He is a loud mouthed two faced liar. He made major cuts all over the state and now we are paying for it with our property taxes. God help us all if he becomes POTUS
Posted by: JACKI | September 26, 2011, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
justuspofolks…anyone with a pulse, 35+ years old and a naturalized citizen can beat Obama. With the failed Obama economic policies ruining this country, there’s no way he can win reelection.
Posted by: s | September 26, 2011, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
A lot of bitter NJ Democrats in this board. So what was YOUR solution for NJ? Raise income taxes and increase spending for public-sector jobs. Seems a lot like Obama’s plan for the country. How’s that workin’ out for ya?
Posted by: s | September 26, 2011, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
He only won NJ because people didn’t like Corzine. It was a choice between two evils. I wouldn’t vote for Christie if he ran for Prez.
Posted by: GWP | September 26, 2011, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
If he is smart ( and I am not convinced of that at all) he will take one look at the mess the GOP has created for itself (the extreme right and tea partiers) and say ‘no thanks’. The GOP will have to do an ‘extreme makeover’ after next year…just wait and see.
Posted by: CND FOX | September 27, 2011, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm
Man,….. these people sure hate their governors ! I’ve listened to Texans run down Perry, and now the Christy deal. And these were to be the Best of the Best, as Republican candidates. Well, looks like we’re back to Romney, who, as a Democrat myself, is the only one of this bunch I could live with. Although, I still believe Obama will get re-elected, due to the poor showing Republicans are, so far, making.
Posted by: Malibujim | September 28, 2011, 12:21 am 12:21 am
Sorry, the guy is a grossly fat loud mouth, who when asked pointed questions would rather scream at the asker than answer the tough questions! HARDLY ready for prime time, plus, haven’t seen NJ climbing out of the economic muck due to his cuts, so he is ineffective to boot! But what tore it for me was his using taxpayers money to helicopter to his sons ball game, then when it landed, he was too GROSSLY FAT to walk 100 yards, so he used taxpayers money again to limo him that 100 yards!!!! The only reason he ended up footing the bill out of his own pocket was that he was caught red handed basically stealing tax funds for his own lazy purposes…otherwise, the taxpayers would have had to fund that—he wants to cut everything but his own food intake and what he can steal from taxpayers apparently!
Posted by: Vicki | September 28, 2011, 10:23 am 10:23 am
Whether Christie decides to run or not, the truth is, there are many very qualified GOP candidates … and each of them is Far superior to Obama!
Whether its Romney, Cain, Huntsman, Perry…. they’re ALL better than Obama.
Right now, Romney is Tied with Obama in the polls.
Posted by: Paul | September 28, 2011, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm