Chris Christie Says He Won’t Rule Out Presidential Run

The new Jersey governor quipped that he can "walk and chew gum at the same time" as both a governor and a Republican presidential candidate

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AP / AP

Republican Gov. Chris Christie, right, and Democrat State Sen. Barbara Buono meet in a gubernatorial debate at William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013. Christie is running for re-election to a second term, facing Buono and six others in the general election in November.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie acknowledged a possible presidential run Tuesday night during the first debate for his gubernatorial re-election bid.

Christie did not confirm or deny his plans to run, but reassured voters he could “walk and chew gum at the same time,” with regard to running the state and campaigning for national office. Should the Republican governor decide to run, he would begin his presidential campaign during his second gubernatorial term.

“I am not going to declare tonight … that I am or I’m not running for president,” Christie said and later added, “I won’t make those decisions until I have to.”

On Friday, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also hinted at a run in a speech to the Long Island Association at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Clinton said that she would begin seriously thinking about the idea sometime next year.

[Associated Press]