TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie made the rounds on national cable morning talk shows this morning as part of his post-pension and health care bill victory parade. Appearing on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Fox News' Fox & Friends and Fox Business Network's Imus in the Morning, Christie talked up passage of the bill, which he will sign Tuesday, and offered...
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie made the rounds on national cable morning talk shows this morning as part of his post-pension and health care bill victory parade.
Appearing on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Fox News' Fox & Friends and Fox Business Network's Imus in the Morning, Christie talked up passage of the bill, which he will sign Tuesday, and offered commentary on national issues.
On each appearance he fielded questions about whether he’ll seek higher office in 2012. On each show, he responded that he is not running for president.
Christie was also asked repeatedly about his response to a question on a call-in show earlier this month. Via a question pre-recorded by The Star-Ledger, a woman identified as Gail asked the governor how he can cut public schools while his children attend private schools. Christie responded, “Gail, it’s none of your business.”
Christie defended his response in interviews this morning, saying that the question was out of line because it criticized his parenting decisions.
“My children and my parenting decisions … are not open for public scrutiny and discussion,” Christie said on the Imus program. “There are times when I snap when I shouldn’t and I feel bad about that. I don’t feel bad about Gail.”
On Fox & Friends, Christie said he was surprised about how much response the comment got from people across the country.
“She was not making an innocent inquiry, she had a point of view,” Christie said. “That was a nasty, bitter question.”
While appearing on Fox & Friends, Christie also said he wouldn’t consider a vice presidential nomination.
“No chance, I don’t think I’m suited to be the No. 2 in the room,” Christie said.
Christie said he isn’t prepared to make an endorsement in the GOP field for presidential nominees.
“Campaigns matter, I want to watch how these folks perform in the campaign,” Christie said.
While on Morning Joe, Christie talked about negotiations in Washington about the national deficit. He repeated his criticism that President Barack Obama should be participating personally in negotiations.
“I think the president is a leader, but I think on this debt and deficit he’s failing as a leader,” Christie said. “You can’t be the president of the United States and not be good at bringing people into the room and reach compromise.”
Not all of the discussions were policy-based, Imus asked Christie if he ran for president would anything be found if opponents shined a “hot” light on them.
“You know what Don, you’re the only guy I can share this with, I’m fat,” Christie said. “If they put the bright light on me I’m going to sweat.”