Sources tell CBS 2 news that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will not seek the presidency in 2012. Christie has scheduled a news conference 1 p.m. at the Statehouse in Trenton.
Christie had come under pressure by many in the Republican base to jump in to the 2012 race for the White House. Despite his numerous “No’s,” he recently had been meeting with family members and advisers, reconsidering his decision not to seek the Republican nomination.
At Rutgers University, political science professor Ross Baker would bet against a Christie bid. After all, Baker said, Christie has said repeatedly he has no intention of seeking the White House in 2012.
“It’s so hard to back down from these categorical denials that he would consider suicide rather than a candidacy,” Baker told WCBS 880 reporter Paul Murnane.
Christie advisers had reportedly asked supporters to wait for an announcement by tomorrow on the subject. Top GOP figures in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina were saying as late as Monday that they have not heard from the Christie camp.
Even Tuesday, yet another Republican called for him to get into the race: Ohio Gov. John Kasich called for Christie to jump in.
The Columbus Dispatch reports Kasich called Christie to encourage him to run. Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols tells the paper the Ohio governor thinks Christie would be a good candidate.
The first-term Republican governor was being wooed for his national star power and no-nonsense public persona.
A new CBS News poll showed many voters know very little about Christie.
{WCBS TV/Matzav.com Newscenter}
