N.J. Gov. Christie slams door on 2012 presidential bid

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Governor Christie has slammed the door on speculation that he’s a presidential contender for 2012, but appearing on national television this morning he left the door cracked open for a run four years later.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Christie said he would first have to decide whether he will run for reelection as governor in 2013 before weighing any other political aspirations.

“And that’s going to be determined by how good a job I do and whether the people of the state of New Jersey want me back,” he said.

Last week, Christie said nothing “short of suicide” would convince people that he will not run for president in 2012.

But host David Gregory asked if it’s fair to say the door was open after his first term as governor is up in 2013.

“I’m going to need a job, David, after 2013, you know? And so whether it’s going to be being governor of New Jersey or doing something else, I have four kids between 7 and 17.  I’m working the rest of my life anyway,” said Christie. “So it’s going to be doing something, David. So maybe it will be that. Who knows?”

Christie recently finished a 15-state, 20,000 mile tour on behalf of Republican gubernatorial and congressional candidates, using the hard-charging style that made him a YouTube celebrity to help raise about $8 million for them.

Gregory said he was acting “like a guy who’s increasing your national influence.” Christie denied any ulterior motives.

“Because I care about my country and felt like those people were the absolute best candidates to make my country a better place,” he said. “That’s why I campaigned for them. I have no other agenda.”

Christie, who has kept the tea party at arm’s length, said the movement had “a positive influence” on last week’s elections because its members’ ideology revolves around less spending and smaller government.

But Christie lamented what could have been a Republican pick up in the Delaware U.S. senate race.  In the primary, Christie had endorsed U.S. Rep. Mike Castle (R-De.), who was heavily favored to win the general election. But Castle lost the primary to tea party-backed Christine O’Donnell, who went on to lose the general election to Democrat Chris Coons.

“I think Delaware was a missed opportunity to have a really good senator in Mike Castle,” he said.