Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, has again quashed rumors he is to run for the presidency, with his political adviser William Palatucci stating, “Nope, no budging at all,” reports The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ).
Following Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels’ announcement last weekend that he isn’t running for president, Republican talk again centered on how Gov. Chris Christie should partake in the race.
Adding further fuel to the speculation was a report in New York magazine published on Sunday, which revealed Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes had called Christie to ask him to run, but couldn’t convince him.
Palatucci, who is also a close friend of Governor Christie’s, reiterated Christie’s intent, “It doesn’t matter who’s in or who isn’t in, the governor has been very clear from the outset,” The Star-Ledger reports.
The first-term governor has repeatedly said he won’t run, at one point saying exasperatedly: "Short of suicide, what do I have to do to convince people I’m not running?"
He also says he is uninterested in joining next year’s GOP ticket as a vice presidential candidate.
Republican strategist Karl Rove was queried on Fox News today about another report that Democrats have begun background-searching Christie.
He said, "He might change his mind, or he might run in the future, or he might be the vice presidential candidate."
The New York Post reported today Christie could reconsider if Republicans take control of the Legislature this fall and all his proposals to change employee benefits are approved, reports The Star-Ledger.
But Palatucci was dismissive today, saying, "That’s wishful thinking. There has been no winks or nods, nothing else."
Mike DuHaime, Christie’s chief political adviser, said the Christie-for-president talk is being fueled by his gubernatorial electoral success in a Democratic state and his accomplishments in his first term.
"In some ways it’s recognition of him being a bold leader, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s not running," DuHaime said.
Christie has been audacious in speaking to high profile national groups, appearing at Harvard University and the conservative American Enterprise Institute to brandish his credentials as a reformer.
Last year he toured the country raising money for Republican candidates. This year’s tour has managed to boost his own political stature, The Star-Ledger reports.
Palatucci says it may take some time for the rumors to die down: "As the process moves along, calls are going to stop.”
Next week, however, Christie is meeting with donors from Iowa hoping to convince him to change his mind.
State Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) said one thing might convince him Christie is sincere about not running: "If he refuses to meet with them,” reports The Star-Ledger.
