Still not an official contender for the GOP presidential nomination, the speculation that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie may run and the push to get him to run goes on. According to the Newark Star Ledger, Mr. Christie is seriously rethinking whether or not to throw his hat into the ring. Meanwhile a new poll shows the governor is essentially tied with President Barack Obama in a hypothetical 2012 matchup.

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Those poll results confirm what many prominent Republicans have been telling him. Mr. Christie's alleged change of heart has come after recent prodding from (among others) former First Lady Nancy Reagan, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former President George W. Bush. It's been reported that those individuals have convinced the man who only recently claimed he wasn't ready for the top job that not only could he win, he has what it takes to be president. And they should know.

While some believe it's already too late for another candidate to put together an effective campaign machine; with the financial and political heavy hitters ready, willing and able to get behind a Christie run, that conventional wisdom just may not apply here. Veteran political columnist Walter Shapiro wrote in today's New Republic, "In a 21st century media age - when images can be forged in minutes - it may matter less when you get in the presidential race than what you do when you get there."

From Governor Christie's record in New Jersey and his recent speeches on national affairs, we've gotten a hint as to what he would do on that national stage and that has been enough for many to want to see him take a place beside the current contenders.

With no public appearances on the governor's schedule through the weekend, speculation is an official and unequivocal announcement will come early next week. Stay tuned.