Mitt Romney says a run against Chris Christie would be "fun"

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Mitt Romney on Wednesday had kind words for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the Republican whom some influential outsiders want in the presidential race instead of Romney. But the former Massachusetts governor stopped short of saying that he'd pick Christie as a running mate.

"Chris is a great friend -- a great guy, a colorful character," Romney told reporters after speaking to a town-hall audience of about 250 people in Manchester. "He's a governor I'd love to see in more political settings, and who knows, maybe he'll get in -- it'll be fun if he gets in."

Asked if he might consider picking the first-term governor for his number two, Romney demurred.

"I think it's presumptuous to suggest who my running mate might be...First I've got to get the nomination. I have a long way to go. There is a long list of people who would obviously be considered for such a thing. Anyone would have to look at the governor of New Jersey as being a remarkable leader in the Republican Party, and he is a man of capacity and capability and a growing track record of success," he said.

Romney's visit to Manchester came on the heels of a visit by David Axelrod, one of President Obama's top advisers. Axelrod said Obama faces a "titanic" struggle to win re-election because of the sour economy, and Romney wasted little time in applying that metaphor to the sunken ocean liner.

He told the audience the "captain of the ship has been inattentive, otherwise occupied or asleep for most of the voyage."