An endearingly, frank moment from Matt Bai's terrific new profile of Chris Christie: the NJ Gov. mocks potential candidates who act as though they get tired of being asked if they want to run (emphasis added).
While Christie has flatly ruled out a presidential run in 2012, there is enough conjecture about the possibility that I felt moved to ask him a few weeks ago if he found it exhausting to have to constantly answer the same question.
“Listen, if you’re going to say you’re exhausted by that, you’re really taking yourself too seriously,” Christie told me, then broke into his imitation of a politician who is taking himself too seriously.
“ ‘Oh, Matt, please, stop asking me about whether I should be president of the United States! The leader of the free world! Please stop! I’m exhausted by the question!’
I mean, come on. If I get to that point, just slap me around, because that’s really presumptuous. What it is to me is astonishing, not exhausting.”
Btw, Newt Gingrich has claimed a "citizen's obligation" and "duty" might compel him to run, and Sarah Palin has consistently said that she might "offer myself up in the name of public service" by running for president (aka, apply for the most desired, powerful position in the world).
[Hat tip: Garance Franke-Ruta]
