Chris Christie thinking about 2016 bid, traffic scandal 'a footnote'
| WASHINGTON
New Jersey Gov.聽Chris聽Christie聽said Wednesday that he is thinking about running for president and that by the time 2016 arrives the controversy over last year's George Washington Bridge lane closures "will be a footnote."
Christie聽told a conference in Washington that after months of investigation "there hasn't been one suggestion that I knew anything about" orders from staff aides to close access lanes that caused traffic snarls in Fort Lee.
When asked by CBS' Bob Schieffer if he's thinking of running for president and when he'll make a decision,聽Christie聽said: "Yes, and later."
"As far as the impact on my political future, I think it will have none because I didn't do anything,"聽Christie聽said.
"I'm not the first chief executive who had someone on their staff do something they didn't know something about,"聽Christiesaid. "I don't think that would hurt anybody's career and it's not going to hurt mine."
Christie聽also said that he's very good friends with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush but that won't be a factor in deciding whether to run.
You don't like to run against people who are your friends,"聽Christie聽said. "You like to run against people you don't like. It's easier."
Christie聽spoke confidently and comfortably at a "fiscal summit" hosted by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which was created to increase public awareness of the dangers of budget deficits and rising national debt.
Christie聽said he'll announce a plan next week on what to do about New Jersey's unexpected $800 million budget shortfall. Tax increases are off the table, he said.
Christie聽was seen as perhaps the top GOP prospect for the 2016 race, but the controversy over the lane closures, which were apparently ordered by a top former aide, has taken a toll on his poll numbers.
But he said that after months of investigation, "there hasn't been one suggestion that I knew anything about it."
Christie聽also said that if Republicans retake the Senate it could lead to a more productive Washington during President Barack Obama's final two years in office. Obama could make progress on trade negotiating authority, for example.
Christie聽also spoke of his past support for raising New Jersey's minimum wage in increments but didn't explicitly endorse an increase in the federal minimum wage.
"The problem we have in this country is not income inequality,"聽Christie聽said. "It's opportunity inequality."
