You have to read between the lines of course.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va – In a surprising move, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) declined a long-planned move into the vice chairmanship of the National Governors Association this weekend.
Christie had been slated to take the vice chairman’s post for several months but recently decided against doing so, according to several governors who attended the association’s annual meeting. He cited time constraints, given his current role and planned 2013 reelection campaign, as the reason for his decision. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) was elected vice chairwoman Sunday morning after Christie asked her to take the post, while Delaware Gov. Jack Markell (D) was elected chairman. Under the NGA’s bylaws, Fallin is in line to become chairwoman next year as part of a planned annual bipartisan rotation.
“He is in an election year. Governor Christie called me and asked if I would move into the vice chairman’s slot,” Fallin told HuffPost Sunday. “He will wait for a better time. He is a great leader of the NGA. I was pleased that he offered me the opportunity and he said that there were other things he wanted to take care of in his state.”
Christie was reelected as a member of the NGA executive committee Sunday and will therefore remain a part of the association’s leadership. Also on the executive committee are Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe (D), among others.
Markell confirmed that Christie declined based on the amount of time the two leadership positions would take over the next two years. He noted that in addition to Christie’s duties in Trenton, he is seeking a second term as governor in 2013 and is currently vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association.
“He realized it was the time commitment, he told me this,” Markell said. “Governor Fallin will be great.”
Christie’s spokesman could not be reached for immediate comment.