Christie Won't Seek GOP Nomination

Saying that "now is not my time," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced Tuesday that he will not seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012. Locals in downtown Westwood Tuesday afternoon said they agreed with the governor's decision.

Standing behind a lectern in the Statehouse in Trenton, Christie said he believed he owed it to the people of New Jersey to continue as governor. "It's never felt right... to me in my gut to leave here when the job is not finished," he said. "New Jersey, whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me."

Dayna Tripodi of Emerson was shopping in downtown Westwood Tuesday afternoon and said she thought it was "fabulous" that Christie decided not to run for president. She said she believes he needs a few more years in New Jersey and hopes he can balance the state budget, but that she hopes he'll consider a run in the future.

"I think he'd be great maybe in 2016," Tripodi said. "He needs a few more years under his belt."

Christie did not rule out a run for the presidency in the future, telling an NBC News reporter that "I'm not going to preclude any job whether president or working at NBC."

William Deegan, who lived in Westwood for many years before moving to Saddle Brook, said he'd like to see Christie in the White House, but now isn't the right time. He said while Christie is well known in New Jersey, he doesn't have the national recognition of other Republicans. Deegan said he hopes Christie can cut taxes and create jobs while still in New Jersey.

Barry Schwartz of Hillsdale, who was in downtown Westwood with his wife Tuesday, had a different view. He believes Christie is setting himself up to be the vice presidential candidate, likely for Mitt Romney.

"Then he's set for 2016 or 2020," Schwartz said.

His wife Fran said she'd like to see him continue his work in New Jersey. "I hope he lowers property taxes," she said.

Jim Boyer of Old Tappan said he'd like to see Christie create more jobs in the state.

Stephanie Kim of Demarest agreed, saying Christie should build up the economy in New Jersey. She said it's a good chance for him to prove himself as a governor before making a bid for the White House.

The governor had repeatedly said he would not join the GOP campaign, but reports continued to surface in recent weeks that he was re-considering, under pressure from numerous Republican leaders unhappy with the current list of candidates.

Christie said his wife and four children had been supportive in a possible campaign. "Mary Pat woke me up a few days ago at 6 o'clock in the morning and told me, 'If you want to go for it, go for it,'" he said.

He said other candidates did not make a presidential run sound appealing, saying that those who had lost described the experience as "a nightmare," while those who won agreed that it was "awful."

The governor didn't resist an opportunity to take a swipe at President Obama, saying the president had "failed the leadership test." But he said it was too early for him to make any endorsement of any of the current GOP contenders.

Christie said he had been amused by the attention he had received, including from comedians who made jokes about his weight. "It's fair game, they can make fun of it," Christie said, "provided it's funny." He said his son Andrew had even taken to showing him video clips of items he'd missed. "So he's been grounded," Christie quipped.

The governor indicated he would not be interested in the GOP nomination for vice president, saying he did not see himself as a "Number Two kind of guy."

The pressure has intensified in recent days for the governor to make a decision after both Florida and South Carolina moved up the dates for their party primary to January, leaving only three months of campaigning before the actual selection of delegates begins.

Christie's announcement comes the same day as a new poll shows him in fourth place nationally in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination, behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, business executive Herman Cain and Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

New Jersey Demcrats were quick to respond to the governor's announcement. "The governor clearly understood that he cannot run for president when his own house isn't in order," Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) said. "Unemployment is at 9.4%—higher than the national average. Property taxes have increased since he took office. He has a budget deficit of almost $8 billion... Not the best record on which to base a presidential campaign."

Added New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford), “Thankfully, we can now move ahead and focus on the real issues that are impacting the people of this state. Unemployment here is above the national average, while more people, particularly children, are living in poverty."

Local Republican leaders made it clear that they were hoping for a different decision. “I am disappointed but I respect Governor Christie’s decision to decline to seek the presidency at this time," U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (11th District-N.J.) said. "Anyone who has ever worked with the governor understands his strong leadership for New Jersey would have been good for America."