"I stand for all the children in America who will grow up and some day may wish to not run for President. That's freedom."
In what was sure to be a shock to Republicans everywhere, and a revelation not unlike Jim McGreevey's coming out of the closet a little over seven years ago, Christie revealed about himself what only close insiders knew up till now:
"I am not now, nor have I ever been a candidate for the GOP nomination for the presidency of the United States. I am a Non-Candidate American," announced Christie in front of a packed crowd this week at the state house in Trenton.
For months there had been rumors: His brother, Todd, quietly confirmed it.
"I'm sure that he's not going to run," Todd Christie said. "If he's lying to me, I'll be as stunned as I've ever been in my life."
However, amongst others in New Jersey politics there were quiet whispers in the highest levels of the elite in the Republican Party.
Former Governor Tom Kean told the National Review Online that Christie is giving a presidential run "a lot of thought," saying, "I think the odds are a lot better now than they were a couple weeks ago."
His comments raised eyebrows in political circles because of the former governor's role as a political mentor to Christie. Kean has not returned phone calls.
All in all, there were secret meetings when he was the US attorney, the redacted helicopter travel records failing to show who he traveled with in those rides--all led those in the know to be aware of the governor's well kept "secret".
Now that the cat is out of the bag, will Christie resign as McGreevey did?
"No, this is who I am. You're stuck with me for the next two years, New Jersey," said Governor Christie.
Christie acknowledged that life might be tougher for him in the Republican Party now, but noted that, "Non-Candidate Americans have rights, just like anyone else. They can have the same jobs, send their kids to schools, even marry other Non-Candidate Americans. I stand for all the children in America who will grow up and some day may also wish to not run for President. That's freedom." |
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