Chris Christie Sparks 2012 Buzz by Stumping for Others in Iowa, California

He's sure got a good name for a politician. New Jersey's first-term governor, Chris Christie, who has caught the attention of Republican leaders for his budget-cutting efforts and battles with unions, is heading off on a national campaign swing for other GOP candidates with stops in Iowa and California.

The Iowa caucuses open the presidential campaign season in January 2012, but Christie, as would be expected, denies he has any interest in the White House. The East Coast governor will be in Des Moines on Oct. 4 to headline a fundraiser for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who is trying to get his old job back in a campaign against Democratic Gov. Chet Culver. Christie is also going to California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and several other states next month, according to the Hill newspaper.

Republicans who run well in Democratic-leaning states like New Jersey always attract the interest of national leaders. Maybe the top spot on the ticket is not an option for Christie in 2012, but every presidential nominee needs a running mate.

"He's proven that if you focus on bread-and-butter economic issues, you can win no matter how blue the state," Christie adviser Mike DuHaime told The Hill. "He's also proven that you can govern effectively even with a Democratic legislature."