Sources: Christie to decide soon on White House run

Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is reconsidering his decision to stay out of the race for the White House in 2012 and is expected to make a decision soon, according to several people close to the governor with knowledge of his thinking.

Christie has long said he won’t run in 2012. But those close to the first-term governor, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the issue, say he is rethinking his hard stance.

A decision will have to come fast. Filing deadlines in primary states are weeks away.

Calls have been intensifying from top GOP donors and party elders for Christie to jump into the race. President Barack Obama’s weak approval ratings and a Republican field that has been struggling to put forward a clear front-runner are also creating an opening for Christie.

Christie may think twice about moving forward, however. GOP latecomers have jumped in to see a big initial splash, only to tread water.

Michele Bachmann leapfrogged ahead of Mitt Romney only to be pushed back when Texas Gov. Rick Perry joined the field in August after months of insisting he had no interest. But after two shaky performances at debates, Perry now, too, seems vulnerable to getting picked off.

Unlike Perry, Christie is most at home behind a podium and seems to relish debate — most often with the press corps.

New Jersey’s pugnacious governor has been asked about his presidential aspirations practically since taking the oath of office in January 2010. But until this week, he has swatted down the idea repeatedly.

A short primary season could make it tough to organize a campaign in time, but Christie has been making inroads with big money donors and media moguls.