New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced Tuesday that he will not run in the presidential race in 2012. Christie declared his love for his job as Governor: “I’m doing a job that I love in the state I grew up in. In the end, what I always felt was the right decision remains the right decision today — now is not my time.”

Christie said the reason he has made the definitive decision not to run for president is because he feels he is not ready to leave his position as Governor of New Jersey after only 20 months on the job. Christie said he had taken to heart the appeals of influential Republicans and the American public to reconsider an 11th-hour campaign but there is still a lot of work to do with New Jersey adding “my job here isn’t done”.

He said he has a commitment to New Jersey that he simply will not abandon. Christie said he made his decision on Monday evening after spending the weekend with his family and had no communication from his ‘folks’. He said he gathered all the available information and thought about what was right for him and for the state of New Jersey.

Former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean, speaking on Monday 3rd said “I know he’s getting advice from all sides.” He added that Christie will make clear soon whether he’s changed his mind stating: “he’s not going to tease anybody”. Back in April this year, Christie told ABC he was categorically not running for president. “You don’t make a decision to run for president of the United States based on impulse.

I don’t feel ready in my heart to be president. Unless I do, I don’t have any right offering myself to the people of this country. It’s much too big a job. And so you have to first feel in your heart that you’re ready and that you want it more than anything else.” Christie was pursued to reconsider by influential Republican donors as well as a handful of elected officials and party activists in vital states.

Reuters reported the only potential candidate left who could make a major impact on the race is former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who is still considering it. She did however state last week the title of president might “shackle” her. Christie’s decision is the last major candidate to fall in the Republican race. There are discussions if he may run for Vice-president instead of the presidential race.

In the words of Christie “So, New Jersey, whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me.”

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The rumors swirling around a potential presidential bid for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are not ready to die yet. During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” a former Bush aide stated that Christie is still weighing his options.

“I don’t think Republicans regard this as a strong field,” Michael Gerson, a former George W. Bush speechwriter said. “So there is still talk of people getting in the race. Not just [Sarah] Palin but last week, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey was in Chicago and had two meetings with serious Republican groups from the Midwest.”

“He is actively, I think, considering getting in this race, which would throw things open once more,” he added. “But the desire for that to happen … it shows that they are not happy with the current field, they think it needs to be filled out in an important way. I don’t know if that is going to happen, but the desire for many Republicans to expand this field shows that they are not content with it.”

Many New Jersey residents and voters have praised Gov. Christie for his handling of Hurricane Irene which may have triggered the speculation of his presidential bid again. A new poll found that 54 percent of New Jersey voters approve of the governor.

Angered when beachgoers were not heading the warnings before the storm, Christie announced “Get the hell off the beach,” at a news conference. Christie was praised for his forthrightness, although some criticized his vulgarity. Now, that the storm has passed Christie has told beachgoers to return. “Get the hell back on the beach!” he tweeted before Labor Day.

Christie has insisted in the past that he is not running for president. Of course, there is still speculation around Sarah Palin who has not ruled out a potential run. Despite some republican insiders and political pundits’ unhappiness with the field, voters seem generally satisfied.

An Associated Press-GfK poll released last week found that two-thirds of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents were pleased with the presidential field.

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