BOCA RATON, Fla. - Governor Christie basked as the fellow panelist praised his largely successful, coast-to-coast campaign for Republican governors this year.
'Not only our party but our country owes a debt of gratitude to Chris Christie,' Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said on the first day of the Republican Governors Association's annual conference at the Boca Raton Resort and Club.
But not every governor appeared so eager to repay the debt. Maine Gov. Paul LePage, whose campaign was bolstered by Christie's visits and $5.1 million in governors association spending, was not ready to back 'his friend' Christie for a possible bid for president in 2016.
And Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who eked out a victory with $20 million in Christie-directed RGA funds, refused to say whether Christie had a 'leg up' on other possible presidential suitors.
'I'm focused on making this the No.1 state to get a job and raise a family,' Scott said.
There is little doubt that Christie's yearlong barnstorming created enormous advantages for Christie, if he does run for president in 2016. He forged ties with elite Republican donors across the country and earned the goodwill of a grateful and expanded fraternity of GOP governors. His visits raised their profile, and his inner circle of well-heeled donors helped raise needed cash.
But it is clear that at this three-day celebration at a posh, pink-stucco resort in South Florida, the ever-grateful governors are not about to return the favor by throwing their support behind Christie right now. Christie says he will announce his decision early next year.
Locking down early endorsements would be an enormous prize for Christie, a chance to clear the field of second-tier contenders. But instead of plunking down some political capital behind him, the GOP establishment - elected officials, donors and activists - are only 'window shopping,' taking an early, noncommittal field of potential contenders, including five other Republican governors who are here - Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, John Kasich of Ohio, Rick Perry of Texas and Pence of Indiana.
Others pointed to the looming shadow of Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor who is considering a run. If Bush enters the fray, many believe he will siphon away establishment support from Christie.
Christie said he did not come this week expecting to convert GOP governors into campaign supporters.
'You can't possibly expect people to commit to you until you commit,' Christie said on Wednesday. 'Like any other race I've run in my life. You go out there. You say you want a particular position. You put yourself out. And you hope to gather support, not only from governors, but from all kinds of folks.'
Yet Christie did schedule closed door meetings with donors. And he arrived here with a small army of trusted advisers who fanned out through the palatial resort: Jeff Chiesa, the former state attorney general; Mike DuHaime, the political consultant; Bill Palatucci, the confidant; Kevin O'Dowd, the outgoing chief of staff; Maria Comella, the communication chief; Regina Egea, the director of the authorities unit; and Chris Porrino, the chief counsel.
One person missing from the entourage was David Samson, the former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who joined Christie at last year's RGA conference in Arizona. Samson, a close Christie confidant, resigned in the fallout from the George Washington Bridge lane closings, a controversy that still hovers over Christie and the source of nagging questions about his presidential viability.
The George Washington Bridge scandal remains an issue despite Chrisite's charisma and his success in attracting Hispanics, women and disillusioned Democrats in his 22-point reelection victory in Blue New Jersey last year.
The governor has steadfastly denied having any role in the scheme in which a Christie administration aide collaborated with loyalists at the Port Authority to shut down two access lanes to the bridge in September 2013. The closings snarled traffic in Fort Lee, whose mayor had refused to endorse Christie's reelection.
The lane closings remain the target of multiple investigations, including one by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark. The threat of indictments or more revelations that could call Christie's leadership style into question has bred wariness among some donors.
'I think there are many donors who have written him off already because of the events of the past year,' said Theresa Kostrzewa, a prominent lobbyist in North Carolina and a Republican National Committee donor. 'But he is nothing if not resilient.'
Christie's recent 'sit down and shut up' angry tongue-lashing of a heckler, during an event in Belmar, has also raised concerns about his viability. The brawling style that electrifies crowds in Jersey could turn away voters in the Heartland.
'I don't know about that,' said Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback when asked about Christie's outburst. But he added, 'There is a sense, too, that we got serious problems, and you want someone who is serious and aggressive to address them.'
Even LePage - known for lashing out at reporters with profanity-laced tirades - was unsure whether Christie's style would work beyond the Delaware River.
'If you use anger for the sake of making a statement, I think that can be very useful,' said the Maine governor, who called Christie 'my hero.'
'He's got to make his case to the American people,' he said. 'I don't know it was a liability.'
Yet, many donors offered high praise for Christie.
Eric Spackey, a defense contractor in Puerto Rico, said he offered to raise money for Christie if he runs and brushed aside any concerns about the bridge controversy.
'I think he has the ability to transcend different groups of people,' Spackey said. 'He's in touch with the common man.'
Foster Friess, a wealthy Wyoming investor, listened to Christie at an executive roundtable for donors who gave $25,000 or more to the campaign. A social conservative, Friess was impressed with Christie as an 'unusual talent,' somebody with the skill to 'get both sides to coalesce around ideas.'
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