Chris Christie's 4 obstacles to the White House

Chris Christie says he'll announce his decision on a presidential campaign early next year, but Christie-watchers are already trying to pick the exact date of when he dives in.

The name of New Jersey's Republican governor wasn't on this week's election ballots but he was a big winner, with the candidates he supported in other states hitting it out over the fence.

When an Illinois senator named Barack Obama mentioned he earlier had been a community organizer and then quoted from Abraham Lincoln in announcing his first run for the White House, it was Feb. 10, 2007 — about 21 months before the 2008 election.

So if Christie follows the same schedule, he'll get in before the next Valentine's Day.

But there's a big "if'' for Christie's future: What if he's tripped up by trouble at home? New Jersey has the second-worst job growth in the nation. Any discussion of the Republican governor's immediate future must start with how he plans to handle vexing problems in his home state.

1. The public worker pension system is a wreck

Christie way back in August formed a task force to suggest fixes to ease a forecasted $90 billion drain on future budgets from unfunded liabilities. Now that the midterm elections have come and gone, Christie is due to release the panel's final recommendations. Labor unions and Democrats may not be pleased.

2. Atlantic City casinos are closing on a monthly basis

Another initiative that has been on hold until after the midterm elections concerns Atlantic City's rehabilitation. Christie called the gaming resort's fall a "crisis'' when he convened a meeting of industry leaders Sept. 9. He said there would be more brainstorming and that proposed fixes are coming.

3. The state's credit rating is in the toilet

Standard & Poor's in September said the state's below-expected tax revenues and Christie's oversight of the pension system has "significant negative implications." The ratings agency gave New Jersey the same general-obligation grade as California. Only Illinois is lower. Is there time for Christie to pump up the rating before his focus turns to the White House?

4. The George Washington Bridge scandal

Is Christie in the clear on "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee?'' He seems to think so. But the last word may belong to the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Paul Fishman, whose office has been working the case since January. If more of Christie's close advisers are found to have participated in the lane closures, that could sink his presidential ambitions.