Authors: Jeanette Torres
Governor's Office/Tim Larsen(TRENTON, N.J.) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said "no" again Wednesday to the question about whether he'll enter the race for the 2102 Republican presidential nomination.
The latest rumor was fueled by reporter Jonathan Alter's tweet Tuesday that the first-term governor "is conducting focus groups in preparation for a possible run for president in 2012."
It might have been more wishful thinking on Alter's part than anything else. He later tweeted that a reliable source close to Christie told him there are no focus groups.
However, even with Christie reiterating his contention Wednesday that he will not be a candidate for the White House next year, rumors persist that with the right nudging, he might give in and run.
Christie is a rising star in the Republican Party, due to his conservative fiscal policies and a brash, take-no-prisoners style that is especially popular with the Tea Party.
Another bonus is that he comes from a traditionally Democratic state on the East Coast and would theoretically appeal to voters more to the center, as opposed to most of the current candidates whose far-right views might scare off independents.
Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio
