StingingVelvet: The Sandy thing won't matter by then, all that will matter to the GOP is who can win. The reason they might reject Christie is he's not the most establishment-friendly Republican, but this election shows them they need someone like him, so who knows.
Then of course there is also the factor of whether Christie wants it. He has acted like he doesn't before, but that was probably a timing thing.
Anyway, Christie and Rubio are the best they have for 2016 right now. I doubt Christie's Sandy comments, legitimate or part of a long game he is playing, will matter at that point.
The Democrat side should also be interesting. If they run Biden they are idiots, in my opinion. Hillary might try again. Who do they have who is younger and more vibrant? I honestly don't know.
Yeah, Biden would be a joke, and Hillary will fail. But there's always Michelle, so you never know, maybe Obama's will make what was impossible for Clintons.
And as for GOP - I think they should consider going R&R again, but this time Rubio and Ryan.
One interesting thing - Romney didn't get much more votes than McCain in 2008. That's very surprising for me, because I was sure there will be bigger turnout among Republicans than in 2008. I read about people reporting very large lines (never seen in their life) behind the polls in a very Rep counties, contrary to very small lines in Dems counties. They also had much more enrhusiasm, and they had bigger numbers on their rallies than Obama (Obama had much smaller rallies than in 2008 in the same places).