Chris Christie has been clear: He is not running for president.
But this is bad news for Republicans because a new poll out by Fairleigh Dickinson says that the New Jersey governor has a good shot at beating Barack Obama.
The poll puts the president over Christie by just 6 points, even though he crushes G.O.P. luminaries like Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty by over 15 points. Only Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney fare better.
“That’s pretty good for a Jersey guy,” said Peter Woolley, a political scientist and director of the poll. “People do not see New Jersey as typical of America, though it is. And they don’t see New Jersey problems as typical of America, though they are. And Christie is very New Jersey.”
The AP reports that at a town hall in Southern New Jersey earlier this week, an attendee asked the governor how he could help elect him president.
“I love the fact that you want to ask that question and feel that way about me. I’m extremely flattered,” Christie responded. “For the 850th time, I’m not running for the president of the United States.”
Christie will hold a fundraiser for the New Jersey Republican Party at the Soho Grand April 7.
