Trump: I think Chris Christie’s ready for 2012 bid, but he doesn’t

Billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump said his “very, very good friend” Chris Christie, the Republican governor of New Jersey, is ready to be president, but that Christie is turning down a run because he doesn’t consider himself prepared for the challenge.

{mosads}“I think he’s ready, but he feels he’s not ready, which is all that matters,” Trump said Wednesday on Fox News.

Trump also spoke out about the widely publicized visits the GOP presidential candidates have paid him in recent weeks, saying they have all called and asked to meet with him.

“They’re not asking for money,” he said, “I guess they’re asking me for endorsements, and I do represent a large group of people.”

Mitt Romney kept his Monday visit to Trump as low-profile as possible, avoiding having his picture taken with the businessman and reality television star who stirs up both excitement and contempt among the American public.

Trump’s public flirtation with his own presidential run became the source of mockery after he repeatedly questioned President Obama’s citizenship. And politicians seen hobnobbing with Trump risk the perception of catering to the wealthy — a perception the former Massachusetts governor is particularly keen to avoid.