A newly released poll today finds that 41 percent of Republicans don’t want Governor Chris Christie to run for the GOP Presidential nomination in 2016.

Of course, we’re looking at things through the lens of today - where the Governor is still operating under the heavy cloud of suspicion for his role in the George Washington Bridge traffic jam that tied up Ft. Lee for days as well as which towns received Sandy money and which ones didn’t.

It’s possible that a year from now that could all change; and barring any other earth-shaking revelations – he could again emerge as the GOP frontrunner for President.

(Pardon the pun!) Fat chance!

While it’s true that the bridge scandal might not mean a whole lot to folks out in the flyover states – let alone anywhere south of 195; the media has done such an adept job of scrutinizing the Governor’s shortcomings as a leader that it would be hard to imagine him being able to reclaim the positive image he once enjoyed.

Forty-one percent of Republicans say they would not like to see Gov. Chris Christie run for president in 2016, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll.

The poll asked the public whether they would like to see some prospective contenders as well as other party leaders run for president in 2016.

From a list of five high-profile Republicans, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul topped the list with 41 percent of Republicans saying they would like to see Bush run and 39 percent saying yes to a Paul candidacy.

Thirty-two percent said they would like to see Sen. Marco Rubio run in 2016.

Christie came in fourth with 31 percent saying the would like to see him run followed by Sen. Ted Cruz at 24 percent.

Christie’s administration has been mired in scandals that have hobbled the start of his second term and threaten his future political plans. His difficulties have cut into his job approval rating and emboldened Democrats.

Allegations that Christie aides threatened to withhold storm relief funds from a severely flooded town unless its mayor approved a favored redevelopment project and that other aides intentionally blocked traffic leading to the George Washington Bridge as political payback are the subject of multiple investigations.

The administration has denied the storm aid charges and the governor has said he had nothing to do with the planning or execution of the lane closures.

On the Democratic side, 82 percent say they would like to see former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton run for president in 2016.

Vice President Joe Biden came in second with 42 percent saying they would like a Biden candidacy followed by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.

Given the recent news about all the Governor’s foibles; I’d still love to see him run.
If for no other reason than he’d inject some life into what could possibly be a dull GOP field.

And yes, I know Rand Paul has his ardent followers, as do the other candidates; but it would be exciting to see Christie take them on during debate time. And we know how well he can handle himself in a debate.

So while I doubt he has a chance of succeeding in grabbing the GOP nod for President in 2016 – I say, “…run Chris run!” anyway.

One never knows how far one can go if one doesn’t try!

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