My job here in New Jersey is my passion. I've always meant it when I've 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 a running for president of the United States, I
felt an obligation to earnestly consider their
advice. Together with Mary Pat and our children, I believe I had
an obligation to seriously consider what people were asking me to do.
I will 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 like to see a man proud of the place in
which he
lives. I like to see a man live so that 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.
[audience laughter] Let me say this. 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 to make it count doing the job I need to do here at home.
Questions.
[after the statement of about 3
minutes, Christie answered questions for more than 45 minutes]
Huntsman Campaign
Statement on Governor Christie's Decision
Manchester, NH - Jon Huntsman for President campaign manager Matt David issued the following statement on Governor Chris Christie's decision to not enter the 2012 race:
"Governor Christie is a tremendous public servant who will be a force in Republican politics for years to come. Though he will not be entering the presidential race, his message of reforming government and restoring American exceptionalism will not be lost.
"Our party needs a standard bearer who is willing to tell the truth to the American people, offer serious solutions, and have a record to back it up. Governor Huntsman is the only candidate in the field who fits that description."
Statement by Gov. Perry
Regarding Gov. Christie's Announcement
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today released
the following statement regarding New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s
announcement earlier today:
“Chris Christie is a friend, a great governor and rising star in the
Republican Party. I'm sure this was an exciting and stressful
process
for Chris, Mary Pat and his family, but I know they have a bright,
successful future ahead of them. Gov. Christie will be a strong asset
for the Republican Party as we work to build a national movement to get
America working again, reduce the influence of Washington in our lives,
and defeat President Obama next year.”