However, those close to the governor say the reports are just wishful thinking Watch video
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in this September file photo. Reports have emerged that say the Governor is rethinking his decision to stay out of the 2012 race.TRENTON — The steady drum beat of calls for Gov. Chris Christie to run for president took a turn today as reports emerged that the first-term governor is rethinking his decision to stay out of the race.
But those close to the governor say any suggestion that he would get into the 2012 race are wrong and simply the product of wishful thinking.
As recently as Thursday, Christie said he's not planning to make a run for the White House next year.
Today, The New York Post, citing an unnamed source close to the governor, reported that Christie is giving a second thought to running for president. Newsmax, a conservative website, Friday also reported that Christie was giving a bid renewed consideration.
Politico, a Washington DC political publication, cited two Beltway fundraisers as saying that Christie could be moving toward changing his mind. But the publication went on to say it was unlikely.
Politco's Mike Allen, citing someone "familiar with Christie's" said the possibility was unlikely, partly because it would be a tall task to try to overcome Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
"Newsmax is wrong," Bill Palatucci, a close friend of Christie, said Friday night. "Quote me."
Unhappiness with the current slate of GOP candidates has driven talk of Christie getting into the race. The party has yet to get excited about a Romney candidacy and Perry's debate performances have left some in the GOP looking elsewhere. The field remains packed, including Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorium and former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain.
A group of pundits are also pushing the Christie for president mantra. Paul Gigot of the The Wall Street Journal has penned several pieces calling on Christie to change his mind. The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol pegged Christie as the only possible candidate who could beat Obama. The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin even wrote up a fake announcement schedule for the governor to declare a bid for president.
At an event with Christie on Thursday, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said he's still not taking "no" from the governor, although he wouldn't go further to say if he is talking about the current election cycle or a bid in 2016.
Christie has remained consistent, saying from the beginning that he won't consider a bid for president. It hasn't stopped Republican donors from traveling to New Jersey in an attempt to convince him to change his mind. A group of donors traveled this spring from Iowa to try to court him for a run. Several high-dollar donors and hedge fund managers met with Christie this summer in New York to try to talk him into reversing his decision.
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