Christie: ‘Not my time’ to run for president

N.J. Gov. Chris Christie announced this afternoon he won’t enter the 2012 presidential race, saying, “now is not my time.”

Update, 1 p.m. announcement “For me the answer was never anything but no,” Christie said during his afternoon press conference. Though he said he felt obligated to consider the advice of his GOP supporters, the governor said today he’s “not prepared to walk away” from the state. 

Before taking questions from the media, Christie addressed his state: “New Jersey, whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me.”

Update, 11:10 a.m. CNN, CBS News, Politico and the Washington Post all report Christie won’t run for president in 2012, as the governor initially said he wouldn’t.

Update, 9:40 a.m. N.J. Gov. Chris Christie will hold a press conference this afternoon in Trenton. No further details were included in the release for the 1 p.m. event.

Original report New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to announce any day whether he will reverse plans and join the 2012 Republican race for president, even as he has ignored the political preparation often done in early-voting states.

Christie has been silent in Iowa, New Hampshire and other states expected to cast the first votes in the 2012 GOP presidential campaign.

Nor has he reached out to key GOP strategists and leaders, who can put new candidates in touch with staff and party organizers.

Making it potentially harder for Christie still is Florida’s decision last week to move its primary up to Jan. 31, probably pushing Iowa into early January, barely three months away.

Christie has no public appearances scheduled for today.