http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/karl_rove_says_gop_candidate_c.htmlTRENTON -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie has tried to escape the shadow of former President George W. Bush, whose support for Christie has become a major line of attack by Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine.
But in an interview Tuesday and in congressional testimony last month, longtime Bush advisor Karl Rove said he had conversations with Christie about a possible run for governor while Christie was serving in the non-political position of U.S. attorney.
Rove, the architect of Bush's two successful presidential campaigns, said in a telephone interview that Christie "wanted to school himself on state issues" in case he ran for governor in 2009, but had not decided whether to mount a campaign and "was a long way away from the practical politics of it."
Christie's campaign downplayed the exchange Tuesday, calling it "not surprising" Rove had "inquired about Chris' future plans once his term as U.S. Attorney would come to an end."
"In this informal conversation, Chris discussed with Mr. Rove the fact he was being urged to run for elected office and Mr. Rove in turn offered to recommend people who could help Chris reach a decision if he eventually seriously considered running for office," Christie spokeswoman Maria Comella said in a statement.