BUT ANOTHER "NO" FROM A CHAMP – AT 8:31 A.M. ET:  Just as Rick Perry of Texas contemplates the presidency, the dynamic governor of New Jersey says no to Iowa.  From Fox:

Usually, it's political candidates that court Iowans.

On Tuesday, it was New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie who was courted as a group of top Iowa Republican campaign contributors tried to persuade him to change his mind and run against President Barack Obama in 2012.

But after trekking all the way to New Jersey, the donors and party loyalists heard the same response fromChristie that countless others have heard: Thanks for asking, but no thanks.

Christie, his wife and top political advisers, met with the group for more than two hours on Tuesday at the governor's mansion in Princeton.

After dining on beef, chicken and, as an homage to the visitors, corn, Iowa energy company executive Bruce Rastetter -- the force behind the meeting -- told Christie that the group thinks the 2012 field so far has not captivated activists they way the tough talking first-term governor has and that it was Christie's duty to reconsider.

COMMENT:  Thus far, no dice.  But I'm intrigued by the fact that Christie met with this delegation and spent more than two hours with them.  He may be sincere in his rejection, but he may also be looking for something like a draft.  That's a risky gambit, because no one has actually ever been drafted for the presidency in modern times.  It's one of those political fantasies. 

I wouldn't count Christie out if support starts to build as he's still saying no.  But new people are getting into the GOP race, and the man who says no may just be bypassed.

June 1, 2011