New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) declined an offer to deliver the Republican rebuttal to the State of The Union address, according to a top Christie aide.
William Palatucci told the New Jersey Star-Ledger that Congressional Republicans had contacted the governor to see if he’d be interested in countering Obama’s speech on Tuesday. Yet Palatucci said that Christie felt it would be inappropriate to address federal issues when his state has its own pressing problems.
From the Star-Ledger:
“They tried to see if there was some interest, and there wasn’t any,” Palatucci said.
He said Christie wants to stick to New Jersey.
“The governor is in the midst of his legislative agenda,” Palatucci said. “There’s no reason to try to get involved in federal issues.”
Christie is seen by many in his party as a rising conservative star for his non-nonsense tone and calls to slash state spending. His spirited public speeches have vaulted him to national notoriety, and he’s often floated as a potential fresh face to represent the GOP in 2012. However, Christie has repeatedly said he has no desire to run for president, and his decision to spurn the offer of a national podium seems like further proof that he’s not interested in a presidential bid.
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), who chairs the House Budget Committee, will give the party’s official response to Obama on Tuesday. As one of the GOP’s so called “Young Guns,” Ryan is also considered something of a emerging force in the party.
