LAWRENCEVILLE — Introduced as a "dynamic duo," Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took to a college stage today and answered questions about what they are not doing: running for president. The two Republicans, who are seen as cutting-edge leaders on an issue important to their base — reducing government spending — said they won't...
LAWRENCEVILLE — Introduced as a "dynamic duo," Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took to a college stage today and answered questions about what they are not doing: running for president.
The two Republicans, who are seen as cutting-edge leaders on an issue important to their base — reducing government spending — said they won't run but whoever wins the nomination needs to follow their lead.
Daniels said he worries that the GOP nominee will "play it safe" as a default option to President Obama.
"We need big change now. Big change requires a big majority," Daniels said.
The two appeared at a "public conversation" forum sponsored by Rider University in central New Jersey, where Christie asked Daniels questions as the two sat on stage chatting, then taking questions from a few college Republicans. The event started about a half hour behind schedule because Daniels was late after train troubles as he made his way from New York City.
Both said their decision not to run for president was made with their families, but Daniels said he doesn't accept that Christie would be out forever.
"I'm not taking 'no' from Christie," Daniels said. "I'm taking 'not yet.'"
Both men have also been keeping their names in the news.
Daniels released his book, "Keeping the Republic: Saving America by Trusting Americans," earlier this week. In it, he writes that massive entitlement spending reform is needed to avert a national economic disaster, akin to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Christie is also keeping his name in the news with new commercials touting his record paid for by a 501(c)4 group, often known as shadow PACs because they don't have to disclose their donors. The group was started by two of Christie's University of Delaware college friends.
Onstage, Daniels and Christie looked like old college friends themselves, starting the conversation with Daniels reminiscing about his old college days at Princeton back in the 1970s. Daniels was once arrested there for possession of marijuana, LSD, and prescription drugs — an arrest seen by some as a reason he may have decided not to run.
"I'm glad to be back on this campus, man. The last time I was here I was attending an all-male school nearby and trying to get lucky," Daniels said, evoking laughter.
Christie quipped: "We'll do the best we can for you, man. This is Jersey, after all."
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