Supporters urge Christie to run for White House

ATHERTON, Calif. (KGO) -- Governor Chris Christie attended a fundraiser at Meg Whitman's house on Wednesday for an intimate dinner with 15 couples that paid between $15,000 and $25,000. The money was being raise for the New Jersey Republican Party, but all the talk has been over whether or not he'll change his mind and enter the race.

Christie has said he won't run for the White House many times over the past few months, but Tuesday evening at the Reagan Library, his supporters begged him to run.

"I really implore you, as a citizen of this country, to please, sir, reconsider," a supporter said.

Christie's reply to the plea is what fueled the latest round of speculation.

"I thank you for what you're saying, and I'm listening to every word of it and feeling it, too," Christie said.

Christie sounded like a candidate who was taking on the president.

"We watch a president who once talked about the courage of his convictions, but still has yet found the courage to lead," Christie said.

Christie is a social moderate and is not a favorite of the Tea Party, but Bay Area Tea Party organizer Sally Zellikovsky, who recently hosted Michele Bachmann, says she would welcome his entry into the race.

"I would support anyone who is running currently," said Zellikovsky. "If Christie were to get in and he were to win, I would support him as well."

"If Christie gets in, you're going to see an incredible dynamic discussion about government reform," said State GOP Chairman Tom del Beccaro. "I think that would be a good thing for the party."

"What we're seeing, as much as anything, is the anxiety of the Republican Party, especially the establishment over the current two leaders in the Republican field," said ABC7's Political Analyst Bruce Cain.

Cain says the Republican establishment isn't on-board with either Mitt Romney or Rick Perry, but both are in the race with organizations in Iowa and New Hampshire.

While Christie has some deep pocket friends, he's far behind the GOP field in terms of both money and organization.

Though Christie backed Meg Whitman for Governor, Whitman is backing Romney's run for president. It's doubtful Whitman will host a fundraiser for Christie if he were collecting money to run against Romney, but that won't stop the speculation.

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2012 presidential race, republicans, politics, mark matthews

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