COMMENTARY | Chris Christie today responded to Republican Party insiders with a concise, "Thanks, but no thanks" kind of speech, letting New Jersey residents know he isn't going anywhere -- not even if it means a shot at the spacious house in Washington.
Although Christie says he hasn't minced any words regarding his disinterest in the Oval Office from the get go, stating he has been "adamant about the fact that he wouldn't run for president," the public remained skeptical. Can you blame us? He is a politician after all -- a politician with a solid Republican voting base and many supporters.
After the announcement, supporters and donors began collectively gathering, shaking their heads; they believe Christie has blown it, not just in 2012, but blown future runs for the White House to boot.
Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik, a vocal Christie supporter, said, "I don't believe you get two shots to run for president. This was a unique time for him; 2016 is a lifetime away. This was his shot."
Whether Christie has or has not blown it for a 2016 run at the most powerful position in the country, I don't think anyone can argue that he's given up 2012. With the spotlight now affixed on the remaining candidates, it seems Mitt Romney inches closer to cinching the nomination since Rick Perry grapples with foot-in-mouth syndrome, both with the public and with the GOP. Romney may well be the textbook definition of "lucky" as Christie was his only "real" emerging competition.
Christie was a candidate that I could have stood behind as a voter. His no-nonsense ideas and plainspoken approach to politics would have been a welcomed contrast to the current crop of presidential hopefuls. Christie appealed to moderate, business-oriented voters and would likely have cinched the crucial deciding votes from independents that the other candidates seem to be struggling to get, let alone keep.
On the heels of this announcement, there is only one remaining question looming in the atmosphere for conservative voters like myself: "Do the remaining candidates have the charisma to capture the votes and win the White House in 2012?" No matter how I slice the analysis, it appears as if this election will be another nail-biter.
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