FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
There is no clear favorite for the Republican presidential in 2012 according to a recent Gallup poll.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/03/02/art.chris.christie.jpg caption="New Jersey Governor Chris Christie"]
No one has said they're running yet either.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is flirting with the idea of running.
Other names have been circulating for months: Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour, even a dark horse like U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman.
One name that is getting an increasing amount of buzz over the past few months, particularly in this climate of tough budget talk and skyrocketing debts, is New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
The first term governor is being credited as the leader of the current wave of spending cuts to state budgets by other governors.
And because of that, a lot of Republicans want to see Christie run for President.
Christie has said repeatedly that he won't do it.
But he says that's not because he doesn't think he can win. On the contrary.
In an interview with The National Review the New Jersey Governor said: "I have people calling me and saying to me, 'Let me explain to you how you could win.' And I'm like, 'You're barking up the wrong tree. I already know I could win.' That's not the issue." Gotta love that.
Christie also said that because he's not personally ready to be president, it would only hurt the Republican Party if were elected, and the country on the whole.
Not even two years into his term, Christie says he's still learning every day.
Here’s my question to you: N.J. Governor Chris Christie: "I could win the White House." Do you believe him?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jamie in St. Louis, Missouri:
The polls say he can. I think people are ready for a little blunt honesty but I'm not sure he's ready for the job. Obama was inexperienced and promised change and government reform that hasn't happened. Maybe Christie's the guy that can actually bring the change everybody wanted. At least he would make the campaign a lot more interesting. The current Republican field is pretty boring.
Jack in Lynwood, Washington:
Yes, this guy has elevated the art of the anti-candidate to genius level. By running a negative-ad campaign against himself for 2012 - questioning his own readiness for the presidency - Gov. Christie takes the punch out of future opponents and slots himself like a NASA landing craft into a win for the Republican nomination and White House in 2016. Super-Size the Oval Office!
Paul:
He makes me think he might already have a lot of financial support lined up if he does. But frankly, I have yet to see a decent, moderate Republican contender step up seriously to challenge for the Presidency. The only Republicans getting alot of attention are the looney ones, and they don't have the widespread appeal needed to win. I have a feeling we haven't seen the true GOP candidate yet.
Mark in Voorhees, New Jersey:
Gov. Christie has done a great job of beginning to clean up the obvious morass that is New Jersey politics. He has only been there for two years, so he is hardly qualified to run the country. It is so obvious that even he thinks so. But as an electorate, we are colossally stupid, witness the support for the half-term Governor Palin.
Adam in Indiana:
I would say no. I do not think that Washington could handle a non corrupt politician. He is one straight forward and honest man. He just hasn't been bought out by the lobbyist yet.
Harry in Whiting, Maine:
He has his pluses and his minuses. His positive is that all his positions fit on a bumper sticker His negative is a picture of him wouldn't fit on the side of a bus.