N.J. Gov. Christie says he is 'damn good Republican'

NEW YORK, May 10 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie calls himself a "damn good Republican" and a "good conservative Republican" in an interview airing Friday.

Christie angered many Republicans in the days immediately before the 2012 presidential race. He embraced U.S. President Barack Obama, literally and figuratively, when Obama, the Democratic Party candidate for president, toured areas on the Jersey Shore hit hard by Hurricane Sandy.

In an interview for NBC's "Rock Center," Christie refused to speculate on whether he could win a Republican presidential primary.

"I'll worry about the presidency if and when I ever decide to run for it," he said. "But if you're saying to me, 'How do I feel as a Republican?' I'm a damn good Republican and a good conservative Republican who believes in the things that I believe in."

Christie said he would never put the Republican Party ahead of his state or country.

Christie is running for a second term as governor this year.