He’s thinking about becoming the new face in the race.
New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie is considering a run for president, after getting lobbied hard from some of the GOP’s top leaders and money men, according to a well-placed Republican source in direct contact with Christie’s camp.
It would be a dramatic change of heart for the portly, pugnacious pol, who in the past has adamantly denied White House ambitions.
“Huge pressure from high-ranking Republicans and fund-raisers” is making Christie consider the possibility, however, the source said. “He’ll decide this week.”
At a forum this week at New Jersey’s Rider University, Christie even spoke of the calls for him to run, saying some think the current GOP candidates are not answering the public’s appetite for real leadership.
“I think what the country is thirsting for, more than anything else right now, is someone of stature and credibility to tell them that and say, ‘Here’s where I want us to go to deal with this crisis,’ ” Christie said.
“The fact that nobody yet who’s running for president, in my view, has done that effectively is why you continue to hear people ask [Indiana Gov. Mitch] Daniels if he’ll reconsider and ask me if I’ll reconsider.”
Newsmax.com reported last night that senior aides to Christie have been quietly urging his supporters not to commit to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has been a declared candidate in the GOP field to snag the presidential nomination.
Christie’s surprising flip-flop comes as both Perry and his chief rival in the GOP race, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, showed up in Orlando yesterday to pitch their candidacies to Florida conservatives.
“We need to elect the candidate with the best record and the best vision for this country,” Perry told CPAC Florida, a conference organized by the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Romney, for his part, claimed his experience in business better qualifies him for the presidency than Perry’s career in government.
Not everyone is convinced that Christie is ready to jump aboard.
Three people in direct contact with Christie issued concrete denials last night, saying he hasn’t changed his mind and is committed to staying out of the race — no matter how weak the field of candidates may be perceived to be.