Our prayers might be answered: Christie to decide on 2012 bid.

[Bull Moose Base]

I don't think he's going to run.

Agree but also think we'll be hearing this story until the race is wrapped up.

[Bull Moose Base]

Rumor going around that Christie will announce Petraeus is running.

[Bull Moose Base]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/27/chris-christie-2012-campaign-for-president_n_983494.html

Farewell Christie in 2012 story.  I'll miss you.  See you in a week.

[Bull Moose Base]

Surprised no one's put this up yet.  Sounds like he is thinking about it pretty seriously.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/us/politics/christie-team-assessing-how-fast-a-2012-campaign-could-be-mounted.html

[Bull Moose Base]

I'm actually pretty intrigued by the contrast between Christie and Huntsman.  There's not a huge gulf between them on policy as far as I can tell but the former is a conservative hero and the other has underwater favorables among Republicans.  It shows the significance of image and presentation.  Huntsman joined the Obama Administration and is branded a traitor whereas Christie has sounded like a conservative carnival barker, reminiscent in size and attitude to Rush Limbaugh.  (I genuinely think that has subconsciously made him more appealing to conservatives.)  But in a lot of ways the differences are superficial.  As a Democrat, I'm conflicted about a Christie run.  On one hand, I want Obama to win and recognize Christie would be a tough opponent in a general.  On the other, the benefit of someone conservatives trust (unlike Romney or Huntsman) telling them they're wrong about a lot of stuff could be good enough for the country for me to want the risk he wins.  And from an entertainment value, Obama-Christie could be stellar.  Lincoln-Douglas-like.  Not quite as dazzling a show as Obama-Cain or Obama-Bachmann but pretty damn good.

The other interesting contrast between Christie and Huntsman is in 2016 positioning.  No doubt they've both been eyeing it.  Republicans have for decades nominated the next-in-line.  (I realize this meme has skeptics but Reagan, Bush Sr, Dole and McCain all meet the criteria.  As does Romney who is fairly well-poised to get the nomination this year.  That would be five out of six, the only exception being the massively funded and connected governor son of the previous Republican president.)  So Huntsman's move to run in 2012 to play for 2016 seems like a strategically sound play on its face.  Yet Christie found a way around that.  He's a guy more tapped into or with advisers more tapped into the 21st Century landscape, as seen in his whole emergence in the first place: a strategy designed to use youtube and showmanship to elevate his national profile.  In the information superhighway-ed universe of today (Christie should pen Gore a thank you note), and the exponentially growing (no pun intended) presidential speculation that helped feed it, Christie became an insta-political rock star and prospective candidate.  He then resists courtship of a run instead of running and positions himself for 2016 just as well as Huntsman (though the bad economy and weak field might draw him in now). But signs of a new order in the GOP primary.  Which reminds me: Florida's going before Nevada.

[Bull Moose Base]

Which reminds me: Florida's going before Nevada.

Not anymore. The NVRP voted to move the caucuses to the week after New Hampshire yesterday.

Then it looks like I went off-topic, to a topic already covered and easily accessible, and shattered my credibility all with one short sentence!

[Bull Moose Base]

I will say this.  I sort of want Christie to run now just to see his head explode when Santorum rips into him at their first debate and Christie hits back.

[Bull Moose Base]

If Republicans lose, although increasingly unlikely, then Christie is the ultimate candidate for 2016.

If Rubio is the 2012 VP nominee and makes a splash, he'll be well set up as a strong contender for 2016, should Obama be reelected.  So I wouldn't count your Christie 2016 chickens before they hatch.

Or another running mate though it's easiest to envision Rubio converting it.  Don't know if Christie will get as weak a field in 2016 as he has now.  Unlikely.  Since losing a nomination race with a strong showing is historically not a handicap for the next cycle, I have to assume Christie's decision was either based on personal issues or he was expected he could get nominated but, polls notwithstanding, hadn't grown confident enough he could beat Obama.

[Bull Moose Base]

Remember this post from last week?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/27/chris-christie-2012-campaign-for-president_n_983494.html

Farewell Christie in 2012 story.  I'll miss you.  See you in a week.