Chris Christie: 'Zero chance' for 2012 bid

[Guest areafiftyone]

POLITICO:



New Jersey GOP Gov. Chris Christie said he is growing frustrated by having to constantly deny that he is running for president.

“Short of suicide, I don't really know what I'd have to do to convince you people that I'm not running,” Christie told reporters at a press conference Wednesday in Trenton.

Christie has emphatically denied interest in a 2012 run, listing various reasons in interviews why he’s not interested in a national campaign.

But the question has continued to follow him everywhere Christie goes as his public battles with unions and measures to cut spending in New Jersey have attracted national attention.

Trying to finally put the issue to rest, Christie launched into an emphatic plea that reporters stop asking if he’s running for president.

“I've said I don't want to. I'm not going to,” he said. “There is zero chance I will.”

“I don't feel like I'm ready to be president,” Christie continued. “I don't want to run for president. I don't have the fire in the belly to run for president. But, yet, everyone seems to think that I've left the door open a little bit.”

Christie was elected governor last November, defeating incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine in a race that was quickly touted as a sign that the Republican Party would stage an electoral comeback in 2010.

Christie's comments come just a few days before he is scheduled to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press." The influential Sunday show's website is billing Christie as a "rising star of the party — a man who has been mentioned as a possible contender for the White House in 2012."

[Guest areafiftyone]

It's a shame but I can understand him not wanting to run. He needs at least 4 years as Governor otherwise he will be considered a quitter and believe me NJ people will be angry as hell if he runs and quits his job. They will never vote for him if he quits before he can fix NJ. I'm looking forward to 2016 - he might just think of running then. I really like him!

[NCTexan]

This will also give him time to get on the Jenny Craig.

 

No matter how great he is... his extra baggage would a tough one to overcome in a national campaign. Too sad but true.

[Guest areafiftyone]

This will also give him time to get on the Jenny Craig.

 

No matter how great he is... his extra baggage would a tough one to overcome in a national campaign. Too sad but true.

 

LOL! He's trying to lose weight - at least that is what he said. It's a shame because I would vote for the guy whether he was 300 pounds or 160 pounds. Too much fixation on looks nowadays. And you are right - they will probably make fun of his weight. The man is soo qualified but they would rather have unqualified and attractive instead of qualified and unattractive. I'm just the opposite.

[nickydog]

Unfortunately I believe him. But in emphasizing he is not running in 2012 he is leaving the door open for later.

 

I'm with you, areafiftyone. I would rather have unattractive and qualified, although I don't find him unattractive. Somehow his weight fits his personality. But it probably isn't healthy. By saying you're looking forward to 2016 are you assuming Obama will stay in office for a second term?

[Stella]

He will be asked that question a lot. He is a Republican who actually has governed and made tough decisions. He doesn't play polite politician. He's a take him or leave him kind of guy sort of in the Rudy mold. People are not enthusiastic about the tired old faces who once again want to run. Christie has an air of excitement about him. I honestly think with 42% of the country overweight, that it not would be held against him. (I do wish he would lose weight though. All the stress of his job on top of those excess pounds can't be good).

[nickydog]

He will be asked that question a lot. He is a Republican who actually has governed and made tough decisions. He doesn't play polite politician. He's a take him or leave him kind of guy sort of in the Rudy mold. People are not enthusiastic about the tired old faces who once again want to run. Christie has an air of excitement about him. I honestly think with 42% of the country overweight, that it would be held against him. (I do wish he would lose weight though. All the stress of his job on top of those excess pounds can't be good).

Do you mean it would NOT be held against him? I have thought the same thing about the excess weight and the stress. Not good.

[pollyannaish]

Ok, I must be weird, but I think Christie is attractive in that great big Rush Limbaugh teddy bear way. He's extremely charismatic, has a great sense of humor and connects well with people. Charisma is what makes people attractive.

 

In fact one of the things I hate about Hollywood these days is that they constantly focus on perfect physical beauty rather than charisma and connection. I find it makes everyone seem thin, their acting and faces uninteresting and frankly much of what they produce boring as heck. I can't tell them apart ninety percent of the time.

 

Give me a big fat charismatic guy with something to say over one of those winsome pretty boys any day of the week. (and I bet I'm not the only one. )

 

(BTW, this is not a perspective on health. That's a completely different issue.)

[Guest areafiftyone]

Ok, I must be weird, but I think Christie is attractive in that great big Rush Limbaugh teddy bear way. He's extremely charismatic, has a great sense of humor and connects well with people. Charisma is what makes people attractive.

 

In fact one of the things I hate about Hollywood these days is that they constantly focus on perfect physical beauty rather than charisma and connection. I find it makes everyone seem thin, their acting and faces uninteresting and frankly much of what they produce boring as heck. I can't tell them apart ninety percent of the time.

 

Give me a big fat charismatic guy with something to say over one of those winsome pretty boys any day of the week. (and I bet I'm not the only one. )

 

(BTW, this is not a perspective on health. That's a completely different issue.)

 

Unfortunately with a string of pretty attractive young Republicans (men and women) all over the TV - Christie's weight and anyone who has an older looking face is made fun of now even by the conservatives themselves. Unfortunately, looks are in this time. It's a shame because I'm not into looks. I find people who look good are usually shallow and self-centered especially if they are in the spotlight.

[NCTexan]

Ok, I must be weird, but I think Christie is attractive in that great big Rush Limbaugh teddy bear way. He's extremely charismatic, has a great sense of humor and connects well with people. Charisma is what makes people attractive.

 

In fact one of the things I hate about Hollywood these days is that they constantly focus on perfect physical beauty rather than charisma and connection. I find it makes everyone seem thin, their acting and faces uninteresting and frankly much of what they produce boring as heck. I can't tell them apart ninety percent of the time.

 

Give me a big fat charismatic guy with something to say over one of those winsome pretty boys any day of the week. (and I bet I'm not the only one. )

 

(BTW, this is not a perspective on health. That's a completely different issue.)

Pollyannaish!

 

Unfortunately, there are way too many people who will vote for, or against a national figure based on the "Hollywood" image that they'd like to envision.

 

Look at the guy that we got in there now because of his smile, youthful image, and the color of his skin. Facts is facts!

[pollyannaish]

Ok, I must be weird, but I think Christie is attractive in that great big Rush Limbaugh teddy bear way. He's extremely charismatic, has a great sense of humor and connects well with people. Charisma is what makes people attractive.

 

In fact one of the things I hate about Hollywood these days is that they constantly focus on perfect physical beauty rather than charisma and connection. I find it makes everyone seem thin, their acting and faces uninteresting and frankly much of what they produce boring as heck. I can't tell them apart ninety percent of the time.

 

Give me a big fat charismatic guy with something to say over one of those winsome pretty boys any day of the week. (and I bet I'm not the only one. )

 

(BTW, this is not a perspective on health. That's a completely different issue.)

 

Unfortunately with a string of pretty attractive young Republicans (men and women) all over the TV - Christie's weight and anyone who has an older looking face is made fun of now even by the conservatives themselves. Unfortunately, looks are in this time. It's a shame because I'm not into looks. I find people who look good are usually shallow and self-centered especially if they are in the spotlight.

 

Huh. I guess we watch completely different things. I've NEVER ever seen that, even on Red Eye or from Stewart's show. And I watch them all, albeit not regularly. Maybe some third string person trying to get a little attention, or some left wing Huffington post writer—but not mainstream folks.

 

In fact, I don't see much laughter at people for the way they look by the GOP by people this side of FR...and even for them its completely selective based on ideology.

 

Honestly, I think that's a pretty broadly applied charge, pun intended.

[pollyannaish]

Ok, I must be weird, but I think Christie is attractive in that great big Rush Limbaugh teddy bear way. He's extremely charismatic, has a great sense of humor and connects well with people. Charisma is what makes people attractive.

 

In fact one of the things I hate about Hollywood these days is that they constantly focus on perfect physical beauty rather than charisma and connection. I find it makes everyone seem thin, their acting and faces uninteresting and frankly much of what they produce boring as heck. I can't tell them apart ninety percent of the time.

 

Give me a big fat charismatic guy with something to say over one of those winsome pretty boys any day of the week. (and I bet I'm not the only one. )

 

(BTW, this is not a perspective on health. That's a completely different issue.)

Pollyannaish!

 

Unfortunately, there are way too many people who will vote for, or against a national figure based on the "Hollywood" image that they'd like to envision.

 

Look at the guy that we got in there now because of his smile, youthful image, and the color of his skin. Facts is facts!

 

Sure, there are lots of people who will vote for the Hollywood types. BUT, I think there are a LOT of other things that figure into that equation and I think that people in general are seeking GENUINE people in contrast to the cardboard cut out we got this last time. He won because of what was projected on to him, not who he was.

 

I think that will change for 2012.

 

Edited to add: Don't ever underestimate charisma. Look at Bill Clinton closely some time. He is NOT an attractive man if you look at him closely. When he ran for president, he was doughy and has a horrific nose and beady little eyes. That said, he is a man who is enormously charismatic with enormous presence and ability to really, really connect with people. THAT is the "it" factor that wins elections.

 

Christie has the "it" factor. Plus he's smart, capable and self-deprecating. Seriously, he has a huge chance if he ever decided to run. And watch Mark Rubio. He has that same electrifying charisma.

 

Charisma is beer goggles for the masses.

[NCTexan]

Charisma is beer goggles for the masses.

... and Socialist Chutzpah is beer goggles for the asses.

 

[pollyannaish]

Charisma is beer goggles for the masses.

... and Socialist Chutzpah is beer goggles for the asses.

 

 

See...fat, ugly, unkempt, mean, not very smart, doesn't connect well with others AND NO CHARISMA! I predict he will never be president.

 

I rest my case.

 

[pollyannaish]

And let me add a little minds eye scrubber:

 

 

(Edited to replace with a better photo.)

[Stella]

He will be asked that question a lot. He is a Republican who actually has governed and made tough decisions. He doesn't play polite politician. He's a take him or leave him kind of guy sort of in the Rudy mold. People are not enthusiastic about the tired old faces who once again want to run. Christie has an air of excitement about him. I honestly think with 42% of the country overweight, that it would be held against him. (I do wish he would lose weight though. All the stress of his job on top of those excess pounds can't be good).

Do you mean it would NOT be held against him? I have thought the same thing about the excess weight and the stress. Not good.

 

Yes, I meant it would NOT be held against him

[Pepper]

NCTexan

 

This will also give him time to get on the Jenny Craig.

 

No matter how great he is... his extra baggage would a tough one to overcome in a national campaign. Too sad but true.

 

 

You are so right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd much rather have Her Thighness.

 

[nickydog]

It sounds to me like the men are more put off by Christie's weight than the women. Hmmm -- interesting.

[NCTexan]

It sounds to me like the men are more put off by Christie's weight than the women. Hmmm -- interesting.

Nickydog!

 

He'd have my vote...

 

I'm just afraid that not enough of the voting public is as smart as I am!

 

(As was proven by the election of 2008)