you're reporting, he's not going to do this. why not? he said repeatedly he's not going to do this and beyond that, he said he is not ready to do this and not ready for any number of reasons. not ready for the scrutiny, not ready to raise the money, so on and so forth. >> ron, when we talk about all this, i want to bring in chuck todd, because the important questions now are the impact on rick perry and mitt romney. chuck, does this make it more likely that mitt romney will finally be able to win over reluctant republicans? >> well, we'll see. i think you're going to see some in the establishment start to fall in like with mitt romney. start to fall behind him. but, you know, rick perry is going to have another moment in this campaign. he's got a fund-raising report that comes. it could end up being a very big number. this is not michele bachmann, herman cain, donald trump. rick perry is going to have the resources to grind it out and basically force his way in to getting a second look in the primary campaign. he's down right now but you

can't count him out. >> chris cillizza at the "washington post" talked about the impact on the others as well as chris christie and his decisions and the reasons that went into it. >> in a way we shouldn't be surprised. he's been saying he's not going to run for a long time. a lot of people say, nothing new under the horizon. >> we can see he's coming to the microphones. let me interrupt you. >> i'm ready. >> i've been adamant about the fact i would not run for president. my language was clear and direct. no matter how many times i was asked the question. for me, the answer was never anything but no. my job here in new jersey is my passion. i've always meant it when i said i feel like the luckiest guy in the world to have this job. i'm doing a job that i love in the state i grew up in. on behalf of some of the toughest and greatest people in this country. it wasn't until recently that i paused to really reflect on my decision. when you have serious people from across the spectrum, not to

mention from all across the country, passionately calling on you to do something as consequential as running for president of the united states, i felt an obligation to earnestly consider their advice. together with mary pat, my children, i believed i had an obligation to seriously consider what people were asking me to do. i'll always be grateful for their confidence in me. over the last few weeks, i've thought long and hard about this decision. i've explored the options. i've listened to so many people and considered whether this was something that i needed to take on. but in the end, what i've always felt was the right decision remains the right decision today. now is not my time. i have a commitment to new jersey that i simply will not abandon. that's the promise i made to the people of this state when i took office 20 months ago. to fix a broken new jersey. and when i look at what we've

accomplished so far, i'm proud, but i know we're not nearly done. i've made this commitment to my state first and foremost. the people sent me to trenton to get a job done and i'm just not prepared to walk away. i know not everyone agrees with my decision, but my loyalty to this state is what it is. abraham lincoln said, i'd like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. i'd like to see a man live so his place will be proud of him. that's how i feel in my heart about new jersey. i'm proud of this state and its people. and i know there's still much more we need to do together to ensure the future we want for all of our children. so this is not the time to leave unfinished business for me. the stakes are too high and the consequences are too real. so, new jersey, whether you like

it or not, you're stuck with me. let me say this. i'm grateful, i'm grateful to the many people both in new jersey and around the country who have spoken to me over these last weeks and months. i'm grateful for their confidence in me. i'm grateful for the faith that they place in me. it's been unbelievably humbling and inspiring. i can only hope that i'm able to live up to this confidence and make it count doing the job i need to do here at home. questions? brian? >> governor, you have never really closed the door on your presidential ambitions. four years, eight years from now. do you do that now or do you still have some interest that, hey, maybe there is a time? >> i have an interest in being employed in the future. i'm not going to preclude any employment in the future, you know? whether that be president or working at nbc, brian. so -- i'm not going to preclude

any chances. josh? >> can you describe for us what happened in the last couple of weeks that made you want to go back and reconsider the decision? >> well, i didn't want to, but, you know, when you have as many, both really serious people come to you and tell you that you really needed to reconsider, and then all kinds of regular folks. i mean, we got fedex over the weekend at home from a farmer in nebraska to my children asking my children to sit me down and tell me it was okay to miss their games and their concerts and events because our country needed me more and that if they did that, they would be remembered in the historybooks as the people who changed the course of our country's history. we got literally dozens of letters like that at home to our home address from people all over the country. and i think as this all started to accumlate over the past

couple of months, mary pat and i just decided, like, you know, we better really rethink this. and so we did. but in the end, my commitment to the state is what overrode everything else. i mean, i asked for this job. i fought hard to get this job. and my job here isn't done. and it just never felt right to me to leave now. and so i rethought it because when as many serious people really earnestly come to you and ask you to do it, i think you have an obligation to rethink it. so we did. but we came out in the same spot. kevin? [ inaudible question ] >> no. no, no, you screwed around and now you're out. next, charlie? >> -- primary schedule in

florida, that you didn't have the ground game or preparation in those two primary states. and then also the discussion that maybe the experience of rick perry had given -- [ inaudible ] >> no, none of them were a factor. i have a great political team and they were ready to do whatever i wanted them to do. in the end, the deciding factor was it did not feel right to me in my gut to leave now when the job here is not finished. and i could never get by that, charlie. and i had lots of people talking to me trying to get me by it. i could never get by it. and that's why i made the decision i did. now i'll go back to kevin since i had fun with him. kevin? >> thank you. is there one particular person who gave you a persuasive argument to run? who was that? >> obviously they weren't that

good. no, no. it really isn't. there were a lot of extraordinary people. extraordinarily accomplished people and a lot of really great regular americans who wrote and called and tweeted. you know, all kinds of stuff. and, you know, there's not one particular person, kevin. in the end, you know, this decision's my decision. it's not anybody else's decision. and there was no one who convinced me of it. it's got to be your decision and today this decision is my decision. >> governor, how much of this decision is based on your commitment to your family as opposed to your commitment to the people -- >> let me dispel that. i've seen really wild reporting about this. mary pat and the kids were completely behind me running if that's what i wanted to do. and, you know, three weeks ago, mary pat woke me up at 6:00 in

the morning and said, if you want to run, go for it. go for it and don't worry about me and the kids, we'll be fine. and so mary pat, you know, in the last number of weeks has not been an issue at all. and nor have my children. they were all great. i talked to all of them about it. obviously we talked a lot about it together as a family. and they were, you know, they were all like, listen, dad, if that's what you want to do, it will be fun, you know. my son, andrew said it will be a great adventure for us if you decide to do it. so they were all great. so it really was not a family decision. in the end, they laid it all on me. and told me i had to decide. so i did. yeah. beth? >> governor, are you worried about missing your chance? [ inaudible ] >> oh, no, listen, what i care most about is the country is better. i think the country will be better by making sure that

president obama is a one-termer. and so, you know, no, i don't worry about that. beth, i don't think you can worry about that stuff. i mean, in the end, i have a great job that i'm really committed to. and where we make great progress. and i'm going to continue to do that job and whatever the future holds, the future holds. i mean, you know, i don't think any of you -- you coveredmy during the campaign in '09. you probably didn't think two years later in october of '11 you'd be sitting here asking me if i thought i missed my one chance to run for president of the united states. life takes you in a bunch of different directions. marcia? >> there's a new poll coming out today that shows you're 17 points if you ran against romney. [ inaudible question ] >> no, you can't make these decisions with any regret, marcia. how can i be regretful being governor of the state of new

jersey? you know, i have a great job and i love doing it and i'm doing some great things here. and there's a lot of great things still to accomplish. and so i don't feel any sense of regret at all. i, you know, i felt like it was my obligation, as i said before, given the seriousness and the amount of people who were coming to me and asking me to reconsider to reconsider. i thoug idy. i thought a lot about this. i spent a lot of time. in the end i came back to the same place i was in the whole last year when everyone was asking me which was i don't want to leave this job. i made a commitment to the people of new jersey to fix this state and do this job and it just never felt right to me to leave. and so i didn't. mark? [ inaudible ] why is that so important and what advice do you have for the people? >> any advice i have people for

running i'll give directly to the people that are running. i know you want me to use you as a conduit. the reason why it's so important is because the president failed. you want to know why it was so important, you were there. read the speech i gave at the reagan library. this is an example of somebody who failed the leadership test. more than anything else in these job, what i've learned is there's no substitute for knowing how to lead. everything else you can be taught. you can't be taught how to lead and how to make decisions. and unfortunately even though there are areas as you know that i support this president in, overall he's failed the american people. because he's failed that absolute litmus test to be president of the united states. that's to know how to lead and decide. and he hasn't done that. terry? >> governor, you said there's still work to be done. [ inaudible ]

>> nothing's changed. you know, terry, it's just that all you people showed up today and i get to have this press conference. nothing's changed. education reform is still my number one priority for the lame duck session. whatever we can't get done there will be the top priority for the next session of the legislature. and so, you know, all the things that i've talked about over time, nothing's changed in that regard. and, you know, this has been, you know, a really interesting time for me. and i, you know, i will continue to speak out when i feel compelled to on issues that matter for the country. and the only thing i feel -- you know, you asked if there was any regret, marcia. the only regret i have is that, you know, i've given such great tv exposure to some of the local reporters. i mean, who's going to have cats on tv now that i'm out of this race? nobody is going to have cats on tv. won't be able to get on news 12 for god's sakes. that's the only regret i have. max? max?

[ inaudible question ] >> i'm not prepared to make any endorsement today. you know, as i said before, i'm not a halfway kind of guy. if i feel like there's someone in the field who gives us the best chance to defeat the president, i'll endorse that person. i'll work hard for that person. but i'm not in a position today to make that judgment. >> governor, you know people have been asking you to run for 17 months or so. in the past few months, the drums have gotten louder. why do you think that's been? and was nancy reagan one of them? >> first off, why the drum beats got louder. i don't know. you have to ask the people who were beating the drums. obviously i noticed they got a lot louder and that's why i decided to reconsider the decision. as far as mrs. reagan, i had a great time with her last tuesday at the reagan library.

it was one of the great honors of my life to be invited by her and to speak there. and we had a great dinner together. whatever conversation i had with nancy reagan's between me and nancy reagan. and that's why i think all the reporting about this has been a little bit careless. because i know who was at the table that night. maybe some of them overheard things that she was saying to me. i don't know. whatever occurred between me and mrs. reagan is between me and mrs. reagan and nobody else. steve in the back? [ inaudible question ] do you believe at this point you are ready to be president? >> well, listen, my view on that is that's not even a relevant question anymore because i've made the decision not to run. and i made the decision not to run because i believe in my heart that this is where i belong. that i made a commitment here to

the people of this state. i'll tell you, mary pat and andrew and i were out to dinner on friday night and i had a whole bunch of people come up to me and say, you know, i really hope you run for president if that's what you want to do. but i'll really miss you here. and that did a lot to reinforce what i was already feeling myself. one you get into this whirlwind you begin to lose your bearings a little bit. people in new jersey got me back on course over the time this has been publicly considered. yes, bob? >> governor christie, we have an election coming up in 2011. -- an opportunity for you to advance your agenda, early referendum in what you've done in the state so far? >> i don't see it as a referendum. these are district by district races. given the condition of the map and all the rest of that, i don't see it as a referendum on me but the candidates on the ballot. we have good candidates on the

ballot from my side i'm trying to help as much i can. to the extent they get elected, they will help me to move our agenda forward more rapidly than it's moving now. but on the other hand, you know, i found a way to get some things done even though we don't have the legislature. so, you know, we have some tools. we'll see how we do. in the back? >> how far did you get in the planning process -- [ inaudible question sfch] >> as i said in the statement, i explored a lot of options and listened to a lot of people. i made the final decision last night. >> governor, do you see yourself as a game changer or an underdog? >> neither. you know, i didn't really take a lot of time thinking about it that way. i am who i am. i think, you know, there's not a

lot of -- people would have judged me i suspect up or down based upon what they see. what they see is what they get. new jersey has learned that. to the extent we had some appeal for people around the country, i think it was probably based on that. john, jonathan? [ inaudible question ] >> i don't -- on the first part of that, i don't think it says anything particular about the field. i'd like to think it says something about me. and, you know, there are folks who feel like what we've done here in new jersey in a blue state in bringing people together and getting things done is something that they like to see in the country. and i think that's what it really was all about, john. it wasn't my charm and good looks. you know that. so it was, you know, i think it was the accomplishments that we have here in new jersey that made people excited that maybe

divided government could work. maybe, you know, leading in a very bold and direct way could forge compromise. and i think that's what that was all about. and i've answered about vice president a bunch of times. and, you know, the fact is i don't think there's anybody, you know, in america who would, you know, necessarily think my personality is best suited to being number two. lisa? [ inaudible question ] that was not a no. >> sure it was. it's a no until it's a yes. i mean, it's a no until it's a yes. i mean, i -- what i said was i'd reconsider my no and i did but the no never changed. as you can tell from standing right here today. and i'm saying no. so it's the same kind of answer. you know, listen, i know it's

your guy's job to ask me this question like, you know, a dozen different ways. i'll answer it almost a dozen different ways which infuriates my staff. but in the end the answer remains the same as it always has been. >> -- the reaction to the speech at the reagan library. how that played into reconsidering? >> we were in the midst of the reconsideration when i went to the reagan library so it didn't make a difference in that regard. i mean, you know, these are things i feel and felt for some time. i thought that was the appropriate forum to speak out about them. but, no, the speech, itself, or the reaction to the speech really didn't have nebrasany efn my decision making process. it was great to be there. i enjoyed the evening tremendously. i thought i had some important things to say which i why i said them. but in the end, you know, it didn't have any effect on my

decision of how i was going to do things. >> how do we know we won't be here three months from now, six months from now on the eve of the republican national convention where the people assigned the republican party coming back to you once again to reconsider? >> because i've said no. and i've spoken to a lot of people this morning and told them the answer is no. so they could hear it from me personally. a lot of people who have encouraged me and a lot of people who were serious. i think they understand that this was a long shot for them to change my mind in the first place. that i felt an obligation, given, as i said before, both the seriousness and the amount of people that were asking me to reconsider to reconsider. in the end they didn't change my mind because i feel in my heart what i'm doing is right. that is to stay in new jersey, to stay committed to the job that the people of the state gave me and it just -- again, i can't emphasize this enough. if you're looking for something else, it's not there.

it just didn't feel right to me to leave before the job was done. [ inaudible question ] >> i don't know. in response to jonathan's question. it's the same thing. you know, i -- >> is the republican party looking -- >> no, you have to let me answer first. you're new here. you don't know the rules. people in the front here will let you know, that's not allowed here. the fact is i think it's about what we accomplished here in the state. and i think that's why. they weren't searching. they came right to one target. and it was me. it's been me for a long time. i think it's because what we've accomplished here. i'm proud of that. there's a lot more to do here. the state was pretty messed up when i took it over. and we're making great progress toward fixing it but we're not there yet. i think that's what it was about. i don't think it's a reflection on other folks. monica?

[ inaudible question ] >> well, you know, i found that the advice i got from other people who had run for president was very dependent upon what they won or lost. you know? the ones who lost typically call this something like a nightmare. and the ones who won typically said it was really awful. so it was a slight difference but not a significant one in terms of making your decision. no one to me endorsed the joy of running for president in my experience. no one talked about that. everyone talked about the sense of duty and obligation and honor and excitement about it. but, you know, nobody said, hey, this would be a really good thing to do if you have nothing else to do. you know? it was not characterized that way. beth?

>> do you think your reconsideration was rational for them? [ inaudible ] >> well, i think a bunch of the people who are candidates wouldn't say something like that because i think they want me to think kindly of them. so even if they were annoyed, i think they withheld their fire. and i, you know, none of them said it to me. no. and i don't think it was that kind of sense. i mean, i think people who objectively looked at this saw this was not something i stoked. this was something i kept trying to push off. but eventually just became more than i could push off without giving those folks a real serious reconsideration. which is what i did. and now, you know, i've made the judgment. and that's that. >> what do you see now as the role for your place on the national stage as far as the republican party? [ inaudible ] >> look at the reagan speech.

i mean, the reagan speech is my statement on the state of our country both at home and around the world. and the things we need to do to fix it. i thought long and hard about that speech. i wrote most of it myself. and i -- and it's how i feel about where our country is and the challenges that we face right now and what we need to change it. so i'll continue to speak out. as i said before, i think, i'll continue to speak out on issues that really matter to me and what i think my voice can be useful. i'm going to continue to play a role in these things to the extent i can be helpful. i'm vice president of the rga. i'll be working with candidates around the state, the country, over the next year and a quarter or so. there will be a lot for me to do. if there are other things people want me to do, i'll consider doing them as long as they're not inconsistent with me being able to perform my duties here at home. yeah, charlie?

>> in your reconsideration process, did you also look a head and think about the risk of lose i losing -- and then maybe -- [ inaudible ] >> you worry a lot more than i do, charlie. really. we have to get you some help. you're obviously overwrought. cs so worried about me and my future. couldn't tell by reading his columns. i always thought you had one idea about what my future should be, charlie. matt? [ inaudible question ] >> it's, matt, you know, i

didn't mark it down in my diary, okay? it's an evolving thing. i had lots of people, as you know all know, you know about lots of the different acts i had and folks that approached me. i can't say there was a moment. mary pat and i at one point, i don't remember when it was, had a conversation where we said, you know, we better stat really start thinking about whether we need to reconsider this decision. and it was certainly in the last few weeks but i can't pinpoint a particular date. yes, sir? [ inaudible question ] >> that's such a shock to people in new jersey, right? i know. what's -- i don't even know how to address that. it's crazy. i mean, it really is. you know, listen, you can -- that's when i knew that i could actually win, when they started -- when all these people started shooting at me before i even got in the race. that's when you really know you got something special is when

they start shooting at you before you get in. i've said all along i'm a prince. ed conservative. i said in the reagan speech, as ronald reagan did, you have to compromise at times to get things done. that doesn't mean compromising your principles. it means not getting everything you want. now, if someone calls that liberal, being compromising, then they're dead wrong. in the end, you know, you look at ronald reagan's record. this is what i talked about at the library. ronald reagan had a record that was replete with principled compromises in order to move our country forward. someone wants to accuse me of that, more than happy to wear that mantle like ronald reagan did. josh? >> did not endorse any of the primary candidates. obviously you're the leader of

the republican party here. are your party members going to begin endorsing at the county level? [ inaudible ] >> you know, that's all stuff to be seen in the future. i think it's very important for the republican party in new jersey to play an important role in determining who the nominee of our party is going to be. i'll continue to give advice, advice to folks in my party in the state about how we should conduct ourselves in the presidential process. and hopefully my advice will be followed. and we'll see how it goes. terry? [ inaudible question ] >> no, i can't say that. i have no idea. i haven't begun to think about that. i am not yet midway through my term. there will come a time when i have to make that decision. one of the things i've learned, you know, is you don't make any

decision before you absolutely feel like you have to. i don't feel like i have to make that decision now. i'm not going to make that decision now. no. ginger? [ inaudible question ] >> sure. you know, not to respond, but listen, i have a good -- i think you guys know this. i'm not particularly self-conscious about this. like, it's not news flash to me that i'm overweight. you know? and so i saw letterman's top ten list. i thought probably eight out of the ten were really funny. wroun you know? i saw that and some of the other stuff some of the other folks did. you know, listen, you have to know who you are in this life. you know, i think for me -- their job is to be funny. if one of the things they want to make fun of is my weight, then, you know, it's fair game. i'm a public figure so they can make fun of it. all i care about is they

actually are funny so i can at least laugh about it while they're mocking me. you know? so -- i thought, you know, letterman had funny stuff. the guy that was sent off to go and come up with jokes that weren't about me being fat, that guy was really good, you know? and so there was a lot of good spots that they did that i found funny. i watched them. some of the stuff i didn't see initially. andrew would come to me with his computer and go, hey, dad, did you see this one? so he's been grounded. but, you know, ginger, it's really -- it's not something that bothers me. i'm not self-conscious about it. i'm self-aware. and, yeah, it is what it is. hopefully they just continue to be funny. you know, that's the most important thing. if they're going to poke fun at you, make sure you laugh in the process. you know? bri brian? >> did your advisers put together a scenario of how you

could, indeed, advance through the primaries and win the nomination? and then in the end, at what point in the past couple days, this morning, last night, yesterday morning, did you finally say, no, i'm not going to? >> i made the decision last night. i made the decision last night and i called my folks this morning and told them. and told them i wanted to announce it this afternoon. i went to bed last night for the first time in a few days knowing exactly what i wanted to do. then i called everybody this morning and let them know what we were doing and that was it. not a very complicated process. you know, as for the politics, again, it was never a consideration. it was about me getting to the point where i believed it was okay for me to leave. and i never got there, brian. i mean, it just -- i never could justify the idea of leaving the state early.

and before the swrjob was done. so that's kind of where it sat. you know, the rest of it's kind of irrelevant. [ inaudible question ] >> you know, listen, i don't imagine i'm going to be asked. i just don't think i have the personality to be asked. i mean, seriously. can you imagine? another guy would probably want to get a food taster. i don't know. seriously. i just don't -- i don't see it. but, you know, it's -- again, it's not relevant, jace. it really isn't. i don't see it happening. you don't run for that job. i'm not looking for that job. after everything i've said today, you know, this is the job i want. this is the job i want to do. i'm going to keep doing as best as i can to it over the course of time the people of the state give me the opportunity to do so. so that's what i'm focused on.

i'm not focused on the rest of it. lisa? [ inaudible question ] >> how could i have gotten in? [ inaudible ] >> lisa is getting very, very good. she anticipated my answer when i began to interrupt her and she lost the moment for us. i have no other reason. that's my answer. this isn't hard. i ran campaigns before. i've run lots of campaigns before. if you want to get in, you get in. any time you get into a race, there are pluses and minuses for the candidacy. i have never put for any candidate a pro and con list put together where there were all pros and no cons. never happens. whenever you decide to get into something, you get in. that's the way it works. matt?

[ inaudible question ] >> not an issue. i have complete confidence in all those folks. i'm the guy that got elected. this is my commitment to the people of the state when they elected me. it's not about any lack of confidence i have in anybody else. it's about the fact that i'm the one who made the commitment. i'm the one who asked for the job. i'm the one who campaigned for the job and asked for it. that's in the end what it was all about, was my commitment to them. it does not reflect any lack of confidence in any of the people i work with at all. it's just about my commitment to the folks who voted for me and who elected me. and even to the folks who didn't vote for me. but who now, you know, have me as governor. it's my commitment to them. that's what it's really all about, no lack of confidence in them. marcia? >> do you think that president obama is vulnerable? [ inaudible ]

>> you know, i'm not a political analyst. i don't get paid to be one on tv. and so i'm not going to sit here and talk about vulnerables. ha if i have particular advice for any of the republican candidates, the appropriate way for me to convey that advice is to get on the phone with them and talk to them directly and not through all the cameras. if i have advice, if i have observations on that stuff, i'll give it to them directly. i'm not going to do it out here. yeah, ed? >> the question of the weight as an overall issue, should a person be elected if they weigh a certain point should be taken into consideration. taking you out of the equation -- taking you out of the equation, is that a fair question to put to any candidate? are you too overweight to be president? is that a fair question to ask?

>> no. it's not. and, you know, ginger asked me before about the comedians and i think that they've been great and they can do what they want to do. the people who pretend to be serious commentators who wrote about this are among the most ignorant people i've ever heard in my life. to say that because you're overweight you are there are undisciplined, you know, i don't think undisciplined people get to achieve great positions in our society. and so, you know, that kind of stuff is just ignorant and the people who wrote it are ignorant people. and, you know, at least the n d comedians don't pretend to be serious. they're kmeed wrcomedians. they're comedians. that's fine. some of the people who wrote the stuff in what pretend to be serious columns, they're just jokes. what they do is they further

stigmatize people in a way that is really irrelevant to people's ability to do a particular job. and so, you know, those are the people that we should really, you know, look down upon. are those folks. the comedians, they get paid to do that stuff and like i said, as long as they're funny, what the hell do i care? darryl? >> how people are looking for something in you and wondered why other people weren't -- [ inaudible ] >> i still think that -- let me say it this way, darryl. i still think the debate has to get on to the really important issues. and i think that, you know, the public to an extent is really hungering for that. to get on to the issues we all know are the really important issues. how do we deal with our short-term deaf sficits and long-term debt and reform a tax

code that's putting a wet blanket over our economy? how do we improve america's standing in the world if we don't have our house in order at home? then how do you intend to do all that and telling people the truth about moving us from an entitlement society to an opportunity society. trying to make sure that those things are available for our kids. i don't hear a lot of conversation about that. i hope to hear it. and one of the reasons that i gave the speech that i gave at the reagan library, and i think i said this at the time, was to try to spur more of that discussion. try to -- i said that in the q&a i think, is to try to spur a discussion on this stuff, to try to nudge people along to do that. and that's -- that's what i'm going to continue to try to do. i think that's what's in the best interest of our country. that's my, you know, first obligation as a citizen is to speak out on the things i think are in the best interest of our country. so that's kind of, you know, where i sit on that one, darryl.

i think it's up to the candidates, themselves, to decide. it's their campaign so they get to decide what they think they want to convey and what they want to communicate. in my view, they should be communicatiining -- i'm freakin you out, aren't i? in my view, we should be communicating, conveying things on the important issues and i don't think they've done that to a large extent. josh? >> can you talk about your personal traits. [ inaudible ] how much were the decision and thought made by your experience of running for assembly. then ultimately your decision. [ inaudible. >> you know, not really. it was really about this. it was about this job, this place in the end. you could argue any side of any of that stuff, josh, that you know, you're right or wrong

about those decisions and believe me, i've had people tell me i was right in one point and wrong in another. that's not really the issue. the require fissue for me, agai a commitment to this state and in the end i could not get by in my mind, in my heart the idea that i was going to leave here 20 months into my term. i just couldn't get by that. i felt like i owed the people of new jersey more than that. and despite the fact that i am incredibly inspired by all these people who have said all these amazing things to me and i think meant them, that's one thing, but to get by the idea that i worked so hard to get this job and asked for it and then to walk away from it after 20 months, that was the only factor in the end. i could not get by that. anything else could be dealt with. i could not get by that. and as long as i couldn't get by

that, then there was no reason to have any further discussion. so that's where it sat. >> governor, you said earlier about you'd like to think they came to you because of what you've tone here in new jersey. then on the other side, some people have been saying about new jersey's unemployment rate is high. they questioned your comments about immigration and workers' rights. how much did that play into -- >> none. none. because new jersey's unemployment is significantly lower than it was when i got here. we've created 50,000 new private sector jobs in the last 20 months after having lost 117,000 in the year before i got here. and, you know, my position on all those other issues has been made really clear to people over time. it didn't affect my election in new jersey and wouldn't have if i ran for president. in the end, none of that played a role. you know, i hate to be

repetitive but you guys keep asking the same question looking for something else. i want to be really clear. there is nothing else. everything else in my mind could have been dealt with. i had to get by the idea that i was leaving this job after 20 months. and i could not make myself feel right about that. and if i couldn't feel right about it, then i wasn't going to do it. that's the way i felt a year ago. that's the way i feel now. and that's the way i felt for the most of the time in between. so you're looking for other factors that really aren't. that's it. >> governor chris christie of new jersey saying his heart remains in new jersey, that after 20 months in office he felt the job was not done, that he made the decision last night. he laughed off any suggestion of being someone's running mate. he doesn't shut the door on it, but he said, could you imagine anyone asking someone with my personality to be a running mate? perhaps they would need a food tester. he also responded to the columns and the comedians who have made

fun of his weight. chuck todd, our chief political analyst and chief white house correspondent. chuck, what do you make of this news conference and of his saying there was never any other decision, it was only respond to requests that he consider deciding to run? >> i think it is worth noting he's already answered more questions as a nonpresidential candidate from a gathered press corps than mitt romney, rick perry,all together. the folks running for president, maybe that's not actually having a campaign and having every word analyze d under a microscope. let's remember, he wants to be president someday. that ambition he's never really covered up and said so. i think in many ways the fact that this press conference is still going, the fact that he is still taking questions shows you because his answers really haven't changed over the last 40 minutes but he is enjoying all the questions he's getting to

explain his answer over the last 40 minutes. one thing i thought was interesting he didn't take the bait on was this question of, what do you make of the fact that -- what does it say about the actual candidates running for president that they've been coming to you? and he wouldn't go there. that is a large story here, andrea. for about six weeks, there has been the grand of whatever is left of the grand establishment conservative elite, whatever you want to call these folks, sent the message, we don't like the current crop of candidates we have. we may come around on some of them but we're not crazy about them, we want somebody else. that's something they have to get their arms around at some point like democrats did in 2004 when it came to john kerry. it seemed like every couple months they were looking for something else, they ended up settling on kerry. maybe perhaps that's what happens with mitt romney. we'll see. >> chris cillizza, chuck todd said earlier people may now fall

in like with mitt romney if not in love with mitt romney. your polling indicated there was no huge ground swell for chris christie, at least at this stage but it changes the nature of this race. >> it does. it was kind of the people who were excited about this have to assess, is mitt romney, to chuck's point -- he's exactly right. no one in the conservative kind of world is going to love mitt romney. they love the idea of beating barack obama more than they love any candidate. do they finally say, you know what, romney is not perfect for us but he's the best we can do and beat obama. do they turn to perry again? we've talked about it on and off the air. rick perry's political obituary may be prematurely written. there will be a second reckoning, whether fund-raising or do better in the "washington post" bloomberg debate next week. it's going to be a chance to say, it's between me and romney

now. who do you want? that's a question conservatives he still has a chance i think to convince them he's the right choice. that's what chris christie has given, rick perry maybe a second chance to make if not a first, a better impression. >> jim vandehei, executive editor of politico has been watching this along with us. quite a performance today. what does it mean for mitt romney and rick perry? >> first about the performance, you watched him for 45 minutes. unlike 90% of the politicians we covered, he doesn't sound like he's full of crap, he calls people by their name. he jokes about his weight. he sounds like a regular person which is why conservatives and donors found him appealing. chris is spot on. nobody else is going to jump into the race. the establishment doesn't love mitt romney. over time they'll warm to him and see him as the safest choice. there's nobody else that can jump in. they tried everyone else. haley is not getting in, daniels

is not getting in, jeb bush is not getting in. we closed the door to christie. >> pat buchanan joining us now. pat, who else is there? is it now mitt romney or rick perry? can the tea party wing of the party, conservative wing of the party fall in love or find mitt romney acceptable? >> the decision today by mr. christie is good for three people. christie, himself, whose hart and soul and spleen weren't in. i don't think he would have wanted it. he would have been out there, would have been happy. he looks like a fellow who's very relieved speaking up there. this helps mitt romney also. mitt likes the hand and the cards that are out on the table. you don't want a new card dealt if that's the case, especially a wild one like christie. romney is satisfied. this is very good news for rick perry. i agree with the other fellows. i think perry has been written off too soon. i think he's going to get another shot at it. i think the tea party -- or let's take at two-thirds of the party that is, you know, dissatisfied with its choices

and wants someone other than romney. they are almost going to have to move to perry because he alone has the legs and the money i think to go the distance against romney. i think he's going to get another look. so in a way, this is one of those things that was good for all three of them. perry and romney and christie alike. >> john heilman, you've been watching all this as well. what do you think in terms of who is left in the race that can really cement the party behind them? >> well, it's going to be difficult, andrea, for sure. i agree with everything that all my colleagues have said previously. i do think you have to make some distinctions in terms of who, about what this opens up for rick perry. there's a big part of the republican party, conservatives or tea party voters. they may very well be attracted to perry. attracted to perry. he may get a second chance with them. a lot of people trying to get

chris christie in the race, the donors, billionaires and multimillionaires in the tri-state area. most of the kind of donors behind rudy giuliani who are socially liberal. i think it will be hard to attract ken lango and other kinds of big dollar republicans who are libertarian or socially liberal to his side. there is no one else out there. there will be a flurry of inevitable and speculation around sarah palin around the next couple of weeks. she is the only one claiming she might get in. there is reporting on the web that her people are looking at filing deadlines and so on. we are now pretty much look at a settled field and that's as much as a relief as it is for the republican party. >> the calendar would favor rick perry because of the line up of states. >> you are looking at january 2, january 3 for the iowa caucus

and new hampshire a week later. this is too soon for anybody else to get out. i think that buchanan and i were talking and he was saying that mitt romney ought to take a second look at iowa. if he can pull off iowa and new hampshire, this is over. that's a very, very good point. right now what's happened this afternoon is mitt romney and rick perry are on the phone to every big donor sitting on the sidelines for using chris christie and wanting kriz to run or using him as an excuse to lineup the donors on the sidelines. they are going to get off the sidelines now and we will see who is the beneficiary here. that's a big deal. i think he will live to fight another day. it's hard to find a republican operative who thought it was a good idea for him to get in this year. i think i would watch for him

down the road. he has done nothing but help himself now. >> nothing to help himself, but chuck todd, there those around chris christie arguing that president obama is vulnerable and with him being vulnerable if a republican is elected, that's a two-term deal, 2016 would be out of the question for chris christie. >> i learned in politics, as much as we can work something out for somebody else's future, the end of the day, politicians are creatures of their own experiences. remember the personal experience chris christie had with a bunch of people saying you have to run, you have to run. this happened to him in 2005. i had someone say to me that experience matters to him. they came to 2005 and you have to run for governor. corzine, it will be harder to run against him in '09. his gut said don't do it. take the path and wait until

'09. look how it turned out. his personal experience, they are creatures of their own personal experiences. it's human nature. no matter how much we war game it out and you and i can make the case that this might be a better shot for him. that's not his personal experience. >> you make a good point. it's all personal and your own timing and your body clock. let's talk about the next 24. what are we going to be talking about in the next 24 hours? it's still the man in new jersey. >> we will be talking about the fallout of this. a lot of people say what's the big deal? if you listen to that press conference, he makes clear that he reconsidered it. chuck is right. this is a personal decision whether or not to run. he did not want to run. there was no more gruelling race than the presidential race. you seed your life for the entire time. we will be talking about what it

means for the field and this will give rick perry a chance to remake his case. he has to do better. i think his aides would acknowledge he does better. mitt romney i guess is on the phone with the well-heeled new jersey donors sitting on the sidelines until he made up his mind. this is a big moment because i think at this point the field is the field. sarah palin may get in and may not. polling suggests she is a minor factor even if she does run. this is the field. that's the case. they will make that case to donors and everything else. you have your options. >> we are talking about two different types of candidates. the race is a wide open nomination race and a calendar as charlie would say does accelerate the pace of everything we will be doing. >> i would point out to your

wide open point, "the washington post" this morning said mitt romney was ahead by 25%. rick perry 16% and herman cain 16%. lots of people are still willing to make up their minds. very wide open. >> wide open field. thank you and that does it for this edition of "andrea mitchell reports." tamron hall has a look at what's next. >> we are talking about chris christie, but the question, how happy is mitt romney that christie said it is not his time. will this mean they will stop trying to pick from other candidates? we are following breaking news about a 10-month-old girl who disappeared in the middle of the night from her family home. they believe a stranger or someone entered the family home through a window and took this baby girl. details next on "news nation." . i'm getting new insurance.

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the governor of new jersey said it's not his time to run in a news conference that lasted nearly an hour where chris christie held court. >> over the last few weeks i thought long and hard about this decision. i explored the options and listened to so many people and considered whether this was something i needed to take on. in the end, i have always felt was the right decision remains the right decision today. now is not my time. >> he made the decision last night and stressed the obligation to finish what he started in new jersey and took the time to blast president obama and his jobs record. >> unfortunately even though there areas as you know that i support this president in, overall he failed the american people. he failed that absolute litmus test to be president of the