N.J. Gov. Chris Christie Would Consider Vice President Role

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie stalwartly refused to run for president, but he might be willing to be vice president.

In a radio interview with conservative talk show host Sean Hannity Monday, Christie left the door open for possibly joining the eventual Republican nominee's ticket.

When asked whether he would run for vice president next year, Christie said: I think you would owe it to folks to listen to the person who would be the nominee of your party. I'm not going to sit here and be arrogant enough to say I wouldn't accept it when nobody has even asked me, he said.

Last week, Christie put to rest the speculation that he would mount a late presidential bid by endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president. Christie praised the Romney as an executive who has used executive power, a reference to Romney's business experience. The endorsement was an easy decision for me, Christie said in a press conference ahead of the GOP debate at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H.

Romney: Christie Would Be on My Short List

Romney said Christie would be on his short list for a vice presidential running mate if he won the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

We agree on a whole host of issues, said Romney. We've spent time together over the last year to know each other better. I've asked for his counsel on policy matters and so I think we're pretty sympathetic on the issues that matter.

Romney also called Christie an American hero and a real hero in Republican circles.

The move by Christie to support Romney could go a long way in dispelling popular opinion that Romney's conservative credentials aren't conservative enough. Christie told NBC he endorsed Romney without any promises from the candidate, Reuters reported, and demurred about the possibility of running for national office as a vice presidential nominee, saying: Honestly, I don't know I'd be anybody's good match.

Romney disagreed.

The truth is that Governor Christie is one of the leading figures in the Republican Party, said Romney. Anyone who becomes our nominee is going to look at people like Gov. Christie and say: 'Well, that would be a terrific person to have on the ticket.'