New Jersey Governor Chris Christie just called a press conference to confirm once again that he will not seek the presidency in 2012.

“Now is not my time,” Christie told journalists in Trenton, strongly hinting that he would consider running for president in 2016 if he’s re-elected as governor in 2013. For the time being, Christie said he’s not ready to “walk away” from the job of fixing his state’s problems: “New Jersey, whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me.”

GOP business and conservative insiders recruited Christie to run for president a few months ago. After the New Jersey governor repeatedly ruled out a presidential bid, Texas Governor Rick Perry became the new savior for Republicans terrified by their weak field. However, Perry’s stock has fallen thanks to several weak debate performances. That strengthened former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s position and reactivated the Christie speculation.

Any comments about the GOP presidential race are welcome in this thread. Yesterday South Carolina Republicans set their primary for January 21, 2012, which probably means the Iowa caucuses will be held during the first week of January.

UPDATE: One of the seven Iowa Republican businessmen who flew to New Jersey in May to urge Christie to run for president just endorsed Perry:

[Gary] Kirke, co-founder of Kirke-Van Orsdel Inc. and another one of the Iowa Christie recruiters, said he believes the announcement is good news for other candidates.

“Had he entered, I think he would have diluted a lot of the base of a lot of the candidates,” said Kirke, who today announced his support for Perry. “I would say now that we know he’s not coming in, people who are uncommitted will settle on who they want, and I think it will be a real dog fight between Perry and (former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt) Romney.”