HispanicBusiness

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who infuriated conservatives by praising President Obama's response to Hurricane Sandy, is defending his GOP chops.

"I'm a damn good Republican and a good conservative Republican who believes in the things that I believe in," Christie shot back at NBC's Brian Williams when asked whether he thinks his party would support him if he ran for president.

"That does not mean that I would ever put party before my state or party before my country," Christie added.

The GOP heavyweight showed his trademark feistiness after The Post exclusively reported that he underwent lap-band stomach surgery in a bid to shed pounds.

The governor, who sources say is considering a 2016 White House run, came under heavy criticism from Republicans for touring storm- damaged areas with Obama - then hugging him - days before last fall's presidential election.

After GOP nominee Mitt Romney lost, conservatives pointed the finger of blame at Christie.

Christie was snubbed by American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas, who explained that he didn't invite Christie to his group's Conservative Political Action Conference because the GOP is "not a home for everybody."

That didn't appear to faze Christie, who just last week doubled down and said Obama deserved "high marks" for handling Sandy, adding that Obama has "kept every promise he's made."

Williams bluntly asked whether Christie thought his party would support him if he one day ran for Obama's seat.

Christie responded, "I'll worry about the presidency if and when I ever decide to run for it."

Originally published by Beth DeFalco.

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