Christie cites continuing work in N.J. for not running as president in 2012
Gov. Chris Christie delivers his State of the State address on Tuesday in Trenton.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie advised Congressional Republicans to take a page from his playbook, talked about the tone of political debate and denied, again, that he's running for president in 2012, in an interview on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace this morning.
Christie said there are two reasons he's not running for president in 2012: He still has work to do in New Jersey and he's not personally ready.
"I am not arrogant enough to believe that after one year as governor of New Jersey and seven years as U.S. Attorney that I am ready to be president," Christie said. "I don't think you run just because political opportunity is there, that's how we end up with politicians who aren't prepared for their jobs."
When asked by Wallace if Christie thought he could help New Jersey more from the White House, the governor responded no.
Christie was also asked if Congressional Republicans should leave the national debt ceiling where it is and allow the U.S. to default.
"Republicans in Washington should do what we did in New Jersey, clearly articulate," Christie said. "Go out to the public and make your case."
Wallace compared in the argument in D.C. with Christie telling legislative Democrats last year that if they insisted on extending the millionaire's tax, he would veto the budget, shut down the state, go to the governor's mansion and order a pizza.
Christie pointed out that Democrats approved his budget and he didn't have to shut down the state.
"Because I was clear I didn't have to close the government," Christie said. "If you close down government, in some respects, you may have lost your argument."
In explaining his debates with Democrats, Christie said political debate after the shooting in Tucson, Arizona politicians can still be straightforward without "varnishing" the content of what they say. Wallace asked what was different between "vitriol" rhetoric and Christie's own combative style that has made him an internet star.
Christie was asked about this week his decisions to praise President Barack Obama's speech in Arizona and also criticize former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's video response to the shootings.
"That's just what I feel, people learn the most about you during campaigns when you're not being handled or told what to say," Christie said. "It was an observation, not a criticism."
He said the president, in his speech, was criticizing the types of debates where "people are going to get so emotional and trying to get people to become in some cases being violent."