Christie told people to watch a video of him saying 'no' repeatedly when asked if he was reconsidering running for president Watch video
Gov. Chris Christie speaks at the Reagan Library in California tonight.In a highly anticipated speech at the Reagan Library tonight, Gov. Chris Christie criticized President Barack Obama for being what he called a “bystander in the Oval Office,” and painted Washington politics as ineffective and embarrassing to the rest of the country.
Christie primarily addressed foreign and domestic policy, but stopped short of saying what Republicans donors and a growing band of supporters nationwide had hoped to hear — that he planned to launch a bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
During the question and answer portion of the speech, Christie was asked if he was reconsidering. Without directly answering, he directed people to go to the website Politico.com and watch a video compilation of his "no" answers.
"Click on it, those are the answers," Christie said.
A few minutes later, a questioner pleaded with him to run.
"It's extraordinarily flattering but by the same token, that heartfelt message you gave me is not a reason for me to do it," Christie said. "That reason has to reside inside me."
He continued, "I take it in and I'm listening to every word of it and feeling it too. It’s a great great honor and I really appreciate it."
Christie's unwillingness to directly address whether he planned to run for president left many still wondering — after days of conflicting speculation — what his true intentions are.
Christie took to the stage at the invitation of former First Lady Nancy Reagan. He contrasted President Obama’s leadership style with his own by running through a litany of what he said were bipartisan accomplishments in New Jersey.
“We watch a president who once talked about the courage of his convictions, but still has yet found the courage to lead,” Christie said. “We watch a Congress at war with itself because they are unwilling to leave campaign style politics at the Capitol’s door.”
He spent most of the speech addressing such broader issues as the spread of democracy worldwide, national security and the domestic economy.
“There is no better way to reinforce the likelihood that others in the world will opt for more open societies and economies than to demonstrate that our own system is working,” Christie said. “Without strong leadership at home, without our domestic house in order, we are taking ourselves out of the equation.”
Christie spoke extensively about foreign policy, saying gridlock and inaction in Washington reflect poorly on the country on the international stage.
On domestic policy, Christie repeated familiar themes about reining in entitlements and creating jobs, saying Obama “insists we must tax and take and demonize those who have already achieved the American Dream."
“That may turn out to be a good re-election strategy, Mr. President, but is a demoralizing message for America,” Christie said. “There is, of course, a different choice.”
Despite the grandeur of this evening's setting, the back-and-forth on cable television and myriad websites about Christie's possible candidacy all day long threatened to overshadow the occasion.
The latest round of chatter surrounding a possible candidacy — given added resonance by a comment made by former Gov. Tom Kean that Christie was giving serious consideration to a run — was quelled by the governor's brother this morning.
"I’m sure that he’s not going to run," Todd Christie told The Star-Ledger in St. Louis this morning. "If he’s lying to me, I’ll be as stunned as I’ve ever been in my life."
Newark Mayor Cory Booker bet his Twitter followers “a Jersey Tomato” that Christie wouldn¹t run. On “The View,” Barbara Walters predicted Christie would be the Republican candidate.
But the political website Politico summed up the confusion by posting two headlines this afternoon. One read “Christie source: Run still possible.” Another in the next column read “Christie still not running.”
Christie has been courted by wealthy Republican donors for months, and has adamantly and colorfully swatted away speculation, once asking if he needed to commit suicide to convince people he wasn't running.
An article in the New York Post on Saturday that said Christie was being urged to reconsider a run for president fueled speculation all over again.
Related coverage:
• Gov. Chris Christie to donors: I'm not running for president
• Gov. Christie's office releases excerpts from upcoming speech
• Video: Gov. Christie may be 'Born to Run,' but can he sing?
• Tom Moran: Why Gov. Chris Christie should run for president
• Former Gov. Kean re-ignites flame of speculation that Christie will run for president
• Gov. Chris Christie remains adamant about not running for president
• Gov. Christie won't enter presidential race, his brother insists