Christie: It Would Be 'Stressful' Running Against Jeb Bush

It would be "stressful" to run for president against former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in a 2016 GOP presidential primary, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said.

"It would be stressful because I consider Jeb a friend. And he’s been a wonderful friend to me," Christie said during this monthly "Ask the Governor" radio show, according to CNN.

"You like to run against people that you don't like," he said, adding that Bush offered him advice on dealing with Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Christie, whose national star power faded in the wake the bridge-gate scandal and other controversies, has not indicated whether he will run. The New Jersey governor said Bush, like every other candidate, must "determine if he has the fire in the belly to do this."

"I take Jeb at his word, which is he hasn't made a decision about what he wants to do and that it's an intensely personal decision — I agree with that," Christie said. "It's a decision that's going to have a great impact on his family, so he's going to have to make sure they're on board if he does it — I agree with that."

Republican donors are reportedly taking a close interest in encouraging Bush to run, while some pundits and establishment figures believe he represents the GOP's best chance for defeating presumed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

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