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After months of hedging, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is giving serious thought to jumping into the ring for a GOP presidential run — and could make his decision next week, The Post has learned.
The announcement may come as soon as Monday, said sources familiar with Christie’s thinking.
The renewed consideration about a White House run came after prodding this week from some Republicans he idolizes, including former First Lady Nancy Reagan, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and former President George W. Bush, sources said.
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“It’s more than just flattering,” a source close to Christie said, adding they helped convince Christie that he not only could win, but that he has what it takes to be president.
Only the pugnacious, popular Christie could pull off such a complete 180 from his blustering denial of interest less than a year ago.
“Short of suicide, I don’t really know what I’d have to do to convince you people that I’m not running. I’m not running!” Christie thundered on Nov. 4, 2010.
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Christie pals said the pol’s “mind-blowing” experience at the Reagan library in California Tuesday changed his thinking.
“We need you. Your country needs you to run for president,” one woman pleaded after Christie’s moving speech there.
Yet when the governor first arrived at the Reagan library, he was still telling his inner circle he was a definite “no” for a presidential run — and planned to make that clear in his appearance.
Something changed that night, sources said.
Behind the scenes, sources said, the discussions about running took on a more serious and “surreal tenor,” as the encouragement from Reagan, Kissinger, Bush and others began to sink in.
Even Christie’s wife, Mary Pat, has warmed to the idea of becoming First Lady after months of discouraging a run.
She originally thought a presidential campaign would upend their family. But she got a phone call from former First Lady Barbara Bush, who reassured her the challenge is manageable, said a source close to the Christie family.
Mary Pat Christie now is committed to supporting whatever her husband decides, the source said.
Insiders say Christie is ready to put a presidential campaign together “pretty fast.”
And he’d have to, since filing deadlines for key primary ballots are just weeks off.
Months ago, his top advisers roughed out a finance plan that could be put into play immediately, insiders said.
The heightened buzz has Washington Republicans worked up too.
A Republican Party insider declared that if Christie gets the nomination “he would be a formidable force in uniting the base and winning over independents.
“A Christie candidacy may not be a lock on the White House, but his positive effect down-ballot would almost guarantee a GOP House and Senate,” the insider said.
Not everyone was enthralled with the idea.
Veteran GOP operative Roger Stone said it was already too late for Christie to make a competitive run.
“Running an effective campaign for president takes years of preparation and planning and can’t be done by the seat of your pants,” he said.
“Raising the money needed is also daunting … [and] the media would turn on him with a vengeance,” he warned.
“As much as I like him, I hope he does not run but waits until 2016.”
Christie will be out of New Jersey through today on a fund-raising swing for the state GOP.
He doesn’t plan to make a public appearance until at least Monday.