Gov. Chris Christie Test Drives 'Ask Me Almost Anything' Strategy in New Hampshire

AMHERST, N.H.— -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is among the most recognizable Republicans in the country, but today the potential GOP contender is reintroducing himself in New Hampshire, sounding more and more like a presidential candidate with each appearance he makes.

At Joey’s Diner in Amherst today, Christie and his wife Mary Pat met with potential voters in the nation's first primary, thanking them for “the opportunity to interrupt your breakfast and to get a chance to introduce ourselves.”

“Everyone’s so engaged and really interested in the process about what everybody has to say about the future of our country and the kinds of things we need to make America better tomorrow than it is today,” Christie said. “I get energy from all of you.”

As for his own timeline on an announcement, Christie told reporters he’ll “probably make a decision this month or next” -- leaving a gaping 53-days between then and now while other candidates continue to enter the growing GOP field.

But at a meet-and-greet at One Mile West tavern in Sullivan County on Thursday afternoon, the two-term governor sounded all-but declared, promising voters that he will be a recurring visitor in the months ahead -- including a return next week to the Granite State.

“You’re going to be seeing us a lot,” Christie pledged, further hinting towards a presidential campaign. “You’re going to have me around enough you’ll be able to ask me almost anything you want and if any of you've gotten to see the way I conduct myself in New Jersey, I’ll pretty much answer anything you ask.”

He has already traveled 14 times to New Hampshire since 2011, including four trips this year for a total of six days. He will be back next week for his fifth trip of 2015.

Support for Christie, who was once viewed as a GOP front-runner after delivering the 2012 keynote address at the Republican National Convention, has dwindled in recent polling, with a recent WMUR poll showing him with just 3 percent of support and in 10th place among the potential field of presidential candidates. Even in his home state, Christie’s job approval has sunk to just 35 percent, and 67 percent of New Jerseyans said they believe he does not have the right temperament to be president, according to a recent Monmouth University Poll.

If he does throw his hat in the ring, Christie made clear that he won’t deviate from his straightforward, no-nonsense personality that has made him a GOP rock star in some circles, but rubbed other conservatives the wrong way.

“If I decide to run for president I’m just going to be who I am, and in the end that’s all you can be,” he said. “Some days I’ll be peoples’ cup of tea, and some days I won’t.”

Although he was not charged in the so-called “Bridgegate” scandal, the controversy that led to indictments for three former aides still hangs over him like an albatross.

“I have no misgivings about it,” Christie told reporters. “[Voters] understand that mistakes get made, and they’ll want to know do they have a leader who is strong enough to be able to own up to those mistakes, be accountable and then take the action necessary to fix them. That’s what we did.”

Christie told Cheshire County Republicans he believes humans contribute “at least a little” to global warming, but it’s unclear to him whether humans are responsible for the full impact of warming temperatures.

“I think global warming is real. I don’t think that’s deniable, and I do think human activity contributes to it,” Christie said Thursday night, breaking from many of his likely GOP opponents. “There’s no use in denying global warming exists. The question is what we do to deal with it.”

Christie will conclude his two-day visit with a town hall meeting in Dover this evening.