In conversations today with Chris Christie’s inner circle, the message was clear: The Garden State governor will probably not decide by Sunday. He also does not feel pressure to announce anything on Monday or Tuesday. He knows the clock is ticking, and is well aware of the speculation, but will not be rushed.
Indeed, sources tell me that he will continue to mull this weekend, watching football games and discussing a potential run. Those talks, however, will likely not extend beyond a very tight group of trusted friends and associates. Calls to GOP bundlers and party bigwigs will be light, if they happen at all.
Of course, around the governor, the wheels are turning. Top supporters are thinking about a path to the nomination. Christie’s financial backers, for their part, are ready to launch political-action organizations, but, for the moment, are holding off since things remain fluid.
The takeaway as of early Friday evening is this: He’s closer now to running than he ever has been, but there are numerous considerations — personal and strategic — that could tilt him away from the race.
So...four paragraphs to say "there is nothing to say" about this?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseEconomics in general and cutting spending and reforming entitlements in particular are the key governmental issues of the day. Sharia, HPV, gay marriage, etc are frankly irrelevant, if we don't get our economic act together.
Christie has an ability to communicate and persuade the electorate about the imperative of making hard choices. I have my doubts that the other republican candidates have the skill set to succeed.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe'll need to explain why he feels ready for the job now,but not a few months ago.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI just don't get it. I thought he has been very clear and very consistent.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe's acting like a buffoon. Either go for it or shut up.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo watching some football and conferring with Jeb Bush, Mitch Daniels and Karl Rove is all our Falstaffian flavor of the week needs to make his decision? Yea...that indicates a deeply analytical approach to his decision making process. Perhaps Christie & Palin can get a new reality program - something along the lines of "The New Honeymooners". We can tune in every week for the latest sitcom episode. I am growing sooooo tired of this neurosis that has gripped the Right in this very important election cycle, and especially the cognitive dissonance of the "moderation strategy" (CINO-RINO-LOSER) group. You like Mitt...then you will really love his double (literally), Christie. Pogo, meet the NRO crowd!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnother flavor of the week...Not sure he'll look as glowing once the base starts to mull over some of his less than conservative beliefs- especially troublesome to those who are pro-life. Christie will be competing with Romney for that ever-so-slight right of center crowd. Even after 5 years of campaigning, Romney can't get above 25% or so with the base. That will be further fragmented by the entrance of Christie. Just not sure Herman Cain can go the distance. The CBC and its "religious" leaders - ala Jackson, Sharpton, et al will pull out all the stops to maintain their stranglehold on the black vote. After this all plays out, Rick Perry may get some second looks. Also, if Christie is the nominee, those "purple" states with active teacher unions (hello Wisconsin, PA) will be no longer be in play for the Republicans.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat bothers me about Palin and Christie is that they "mull" over this important decision. What happens if they are President and they have to make a tough decision? Will they take six months to decide? They make the reputed process of Obama trying to decide on offing Osama look like a lightening quick response....
Sorry. I'll vote for either if I have to, but they are both loosers.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe would be good in the general election, better than everyone else except Romney - but he doesn't come with Romney's baggage. Plus, it's clear he would say exactly what needs to be said to who needs to hear it. He would lacerate Obama in debates, and he wouldn't suffer fools gladly. There's no way to get someone who's "perfect" on the issues. We need to select a candidate based on their leadership ability, not their adherence to an ideal policy grid. Take a look on a leftist board, and all you see is incredible acrimony and infighting over perfect adherence to ideology. They will toss anyone - I mean anyone - overboard the first time there's departure from the script.
If Reagan ran in a primary today, there's a good chance he wouldn't make it past the purity police. As always, the perfect is the mortal enemy of the good.
I'll be voting for "good." I'd vote for Christie proudly, even if I take issue with some of his positions. I hope I get the chance. We need a leader.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI love the guy, but after declaring "short of suicide I don't know how to convince you guys I'm not running..." he should not run. We don't need another I-was-against- it-before-I-was-for-it "Leader." Let him fix NJ first. He's a young guy, he's got time.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo little time, so many donuts. Cordially, Bill
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCome on in, Christie, the water is fine!
We'll be eager to hear some of your famously blunt talk on your position on illegal immigration. And then you'll be done.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI can't wait until tomorrow's issue of "Christie Beat" comes out!!! He's uber dreamy!!!!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseExactly what has Christie accomplished ... One passed budget. And how big is new jersey's budget surplus? Oh that is right ... New jersey has a budget deficit. With these accomplishments - exactly why do we want Christie to be president?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe NJ Dems might just vote for him....
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLet me be clear-this is a bunch of excrement. No Sarah and no Christie.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is getting almost as bad as Palin. But Rasmussen will give some ammo to the Run-Chris-Run folks. He's one (1) point behind Obama in a national matchup. External Link
Romney is two points ahead. Statistical ties for both guys.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOne other thing. PPP is out with a poll today showing Romney only two points behind Obama in Connecticut! That seems ridiculous to me.
If Romney was really that close in deep-blue CT, he'd have to be ten or fifteen ahead of Obama nationally. (Barry won CT by TWENTY-TWO in 2008.) And I've never seen national numbers with anything close to that lead for Romney.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThat is a strange CT result. But, if you look further down the page at RealClear, you'll see that Shays is within 4-points of Murphy in the (possible) Senate race. If you figure in MOE in both the CT presidential and senate races, it becomes more believable.
You raise a good point about CT (and perhaps other blue states) being close between Romney & Obama, in that it should translate into a wider lead for Romney nationally, rather than the very thin 2-point advantage that he does enjoy (in the PPP national poll). My guess, and it's only a guess, is that Romney isn't doing as well in the South against Obama as some other Republican candidates might be doing.
It's too bad that there really aren't any other pollsters (other than PPP) that are doing head-to-head polling vs. Obama, particularly in the deep south states. We see a little bit in the battleground states, but not much at all in the south - probably because most people think that the GOP candidate will easily carry the south vs. Obama irrespective of who he actual nominee is. I think it's possible Romney would under-perform vs. the rest of the GOP field against Obama.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"It's too bad that there really aren't any other pollsters (other than PPP) that are doing head-to-head polling vs. Obama, particularly in the deep south states."
You can bet both the Democrat Party and the Obama team are each polling exactly that among other polls. When the polls favor, they approve release, when they do not, they sit on them. So, we may infer....
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