Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Julio Cortez/AP/Press Association Images

'Now is not the time': Chris Christie rules out presidential bid

The New Jersey governor had been considering a late entry in to the Republican field but has ruled it out today.

NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR Chris Christie has announced he would not run for president, refusing to bow to pressure from GOP donors, fans and luminaries clamoring for another option in the search for a strong Republican to challenge President Barack Obama next fall.

“Now is not my time,” Christie told reporters at the New Jersey Statehouse.

His decision means that three months before voting is set to begin, the Republican race remains focused on two men — former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Texas Governor Rick Perry.

The famously blunt, budget-cutting governor in office not even two years had spent the past few days reconsidering his long-time refusals to run for the GOP presidential nomination in light of encouragement from GOP leaders.

“I felt the obligation to earnestly consider their advice,” Christie said. “Over the last few weeks, I’ve thought long and hard about this decision.”

Ultimately, he decided against it. ”I believe in my heart this is where I belong,” Christie said.

Too late

Close advisers to Christie told friends that they ultimately didn’t think a run made sense in part because it would likely have been too late to set up the needed infrastructure in Iowa, according to a person who spoke directly to those advisers.

The governor’s advisers said Christie was seriously looking at a run in 2016 and he refused to rule out the prospect of a future run. But as Obama’s approval rating has fallen and Republicans have become increasingly convinced he is vulnerable in 2012, Christie became worried he would regret staying out if another Republican won the nomination and ultimately the presidency.

“This is an example of someone who has failed the leadership test,” Christie said of Obama. “You can’t be taught how to lead and make decisions.”

Christie’s announcement comes as a new national poll shows Perry’s support dropping after weeks of defending his Texas record and businessman Herman Cain rising following a much-praised debate performance.

The Washington Post-ABC survey shows former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney regaining the lead, though his support remains in the same place it’s been for months — the mid-20s.

Speech

The push for new candidates like Christie and the quick rise and fall of others — like Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and real estate mogul Donald Trump, who also flirted with a presidential bid — reflect continued discomfort in the GOP with Romney.

He has been steadily campaigning since he lost in the 2008 primary but hasn’t been able to sway skeptical conservatives who make up the party base.

Christie stoked the speculation with a high-profile speech last week at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, Calif., where he reiterated that he wasn’t running for president, and a tour to help raising money for Republicans in Missouri, California and Louisiana.

Encouragement from Henry Kissinger, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush led him to reconsider a bid, and he spent the weekend thinking over his options.

But after months of waiting, Christie was far behind his rivals in fundraising and particularly in organizing on the ground in key early states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

Florida’s decision to move its primary to the end of January cut another month off of the time he would have to catch up. And Perry’s experience offered a cautionary tale.

He announced in August and immediately shot to the top of the polls, but has seen his support fade after a few shaky debate performances and repeated attacks from Romney’s campaign.

But while Tuesday’s announcement ended the will-he-or-won’t-he drama for now, his endorsement this year will still hold sway; he declined to back any of the declared candidates on Tuesday.

2016

If Obama wins re-election, he’ll likely be at the top of the list of presidential hopefuls in 2016. And Christie’s timing has been right in the past.

In 2005, many Republicans were begging him to run for governor. He didn’t.

But in 2009, he was seen as probably the only Republican in the state capable of unseating Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine. He ran and won. He’s since become a hero to fiscally conservative and tea party Republicans because of the policies he’s fought for as governor.

He has imposed a 2 percent cap on annual growth of New Jersey’s highest-in-the-nation property taxes and refused to give into Democrats’ calls to restore a lapsed income tax surcharge on high-income residents. He’s clashed with public workers’ unions as he has reined in their pension and health insurance benefits and taken away collective bargaining rights on some issues. He also overhauled pensions and benefits for state workers — and convinced Democrats to go along with him.

He has also fought publicly with Washington: He canceled a plan to build a new rail tunnel to New York City and fought federal efforts to seek reimbursement for the work that was done. In September, he struck a deal for the state to pay state to pay $95 million of the $271 million the federal government said it was owed.

Still, he deviates from conservative orthodoxy.

He opposes abortion rights, but didn’t always. He is against gay marriage and has said he would support an amendment to the state constitution to ban it, but favors civil unions. He says he supports medical marijuana for patients who need it, but he’s delayed implementation of a New Jersey medical marijuana law.

Read: GOP favourite Chris Christie said to be considering presidential run >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Whack
    Favourite Larry Whack
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 10:26 PM

    A dose of thumps would do that lad no harm.

    186
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane McGettrick
    Favourite Shane McGettrick
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 11:27 PM

    Douchebaggery. God be with the times when this stuff would see you labelled a bol*x, not an internet sensation.

    123
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie McCormack
    Favourite Jamie McCormack
    Report
    Feb 13th 2016, 1:41 AM

    haha you guys.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Uncle Denise
    Favourite Uncle Denise
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 9:26 PM

    How is this news? I want interesting news not crap like this!!!

    129
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tomás O'Loughlin
    Favourite Tomás O'Loughlin
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 9:28 PM

    It’s the Daily Edge. Want news, read a newspaper. DE is for entertainment/switching off from too much news.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnneary
    Favourite Johnneary
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 10:24 PM

    I find the title of this article is a tad bit disingenuous.
    Real men don’t do these things.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Byyys
    Favourite Byyys
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 9:26 PM

    A whooping 82,742 Views… I guess from a journalist point of view this has gone “viral”?

    105
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Your Defence
    Favourite Your Defence
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 9:58 PM

    1.2 million on YouTube, only been up a day.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Milner
    Favourite Eoin Milner
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 10:29 PM

    Shared….

    5
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Milner
    Favourite Eoin Milner
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 10:29 PM

    Like it matters anyway….

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Notthatguy
    Favourite Notthatguy
    Report
    Feb 13th 2016, 12:42 AM

    Ya make money from hits….. This guy had a plan, and it seems to be working, so fair play, ignore what many Irish are famous for, begrudgers……

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bacoxy
    Favourite bacoxy
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 9:26 PM

    She has set a good eggsample to other mothers

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny Irish
    Favourite Jonny Irish
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 11:51 PM

    You’re some yolk!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Tate
    Favourite Noel Tate
    Report
    Feb 13th 2016, 11:33 AM

    That pun doesn’t egg-wash with me.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 9:56 PM

    I wouldn’t dare throw an egg at my mammy , it’s so disrespectful .. Plus the fact that l would be more afraid of what gets thrown back at me !

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john truman
    Favourite john truman
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 10:18 PM

    I would throw him out of the house

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sarpish
    Favourite Luke Sarpish
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 9:28 PM

    Jackass was doing this stuff 15 years ago.Have no idea why there is an article on this. Is he going to become a drug addict and kill himself in a car crash too?.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute family guy
    Favourite family guy
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 10:15 PM

    Luke the kids of today don’t recall jackass. It’s all new to them.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Meagher
    Favourite Dave Meagher
    Report
    Feb 13th 2016, 12:14 AM

    Right that’s it, I want to leave this planet.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute baz newham
    Favourite baz newham
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 11:16 PM

    Like throwing eggs at your mother !…..like who gives a f&&k!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cill Dará Abú
    Favourite Cill Dará Abú
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 11:22 PM

    Oh big man, throwing eggs and his mum. Has he no mates to this sort of idiotic prank on

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute zebedee
    Favourite zebedee
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 9:31 PM

    I do eggsactly the same to my mam each day….but my mam’s better. If she lets the egg fall its scrambled for breakfast….if she catches, it’s boiled or fried sunny side up.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Fergus
    Favourite John Fergus
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 11:18 PM

    well presumably the video is monetized and some people will subscribe to his channel after seeing this video. this could be a very good money spinner for him, hopefully he will deal in his long suffering mother………….otherwise he’s a c##t.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fitzz30
    Favourite fitzz30
    Report
    Feb 13th 2016, 12:06 AM

    Wow that guy is amazing. He should get his own tv show with a prime time slot.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zandranalily
    Favourite Zandranalily
    Report
    Feb 13th 2016, 3:10 AM

    She should try throwing a few back.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Doe
    Favourite John Doe
    Report
    Feb 12th 2016, 10:56 PM

    Mad yoke..

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Malcolm Lackey
    Favourite Malcolm Lackey
    Report
    Feb 13th 2016, 12:40 PM

    I like the way no one is taking responsibility for putting this tripe up!! No one wants to see a poor oul one getting egged, why yas even giving this sap publicity?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ginger tomcat
    Favourite ginger tomcat
    Report
    Feb 13th 2016, 11:34 AM

    What would be nice is if a few people return favour to him at unexpected points throughout next year

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lilly Ella
    Favourite Lilly Ella
    Report
    Feb 13th 2016, 8:07 AM

    I think it’s great craic…….as long as he does the cleaning up after an egg breaks.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds