Chris Christie’s Wall Street Backers May Get their Wish

Mitt Romney appears to be Wall Street's darling in the race for the GOP presidential nomination, but that could change if New Jersey Governor Chris Christie enters the fray.

Even though Romney has made JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon and Skybridge Capital's Anthony Scaramucci swoon of late, a large slice of the financial sector is still holding out hope that Christie will make run for the White House.

With one-time frontrunner Rick Perry fading back to earth and Romney's apparent lack of authenticity continuing to be a turnoff for many within the party, Christie continues to look like a dream candidate for a large number of conservative power brokers. It also doesn't hurt that he'd have no problem raising big money from some of the most powerful men on Wall Street.

According to HedgeFund.net, Christie has a Murderer's Row of finance industry magnates itching for him to run, a list that includes legendary broker Charles Schwab, Home Depot founder Kenneth Langone, Paul Singer of Elliott Management and David Tepper of Appaloosa Management. The New York Times adds that financier Stanley Druckenmiller and hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb are also among Christie's most powerful boosters.

Unfortunately for them, Christie has remained adamant about not running for president during this election cycle. But their dream shouldn't be dead. The governor's travel itinerary resembles that of a man with ambitions for higher office. And the New York Post says he's still wrestling with the decision and will make up his mind next week.

From the New York Post:

Insiders say Christie is ready to put a presidential campaign together "pretty fast." And he'd have to, since filing deadlines for key primary ballots are just weeks off.

Months ago, his top advisers roughed out a finance plan that could be put into play immediately, insiders said. The heightened buzz has Washington Republicans worked up too.

A Republican Party insider declared that if Christie gets the nomination "he would be a formidable force in uniting the base and winning over independents.