In Oprah Interview, Christie Has Praise for ... Obama

Chris Christie had surprisingly positive words for Barack Obama in a recent sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, calling him "very charismatic" and "genuine." Asked about the president's chances for re-election, Christie replied, "I think those who underestimate Barack Obama underestimate him at their own peril. He is as good a politician as I've ever seen. ... I think what he says he believes, he believes. That's a very dangerous politician." The interview airs Sunday at 9pm EST on Oprah's Next Chapter, but the AP has a preview.

Christie did, of course, also have some critiques for Obama: "The only person who can call a truce, when Congress is at war at itself, is the president," he says in a preview clip on Oprah.com, adding that Washington is not showing a willingness to compromise right now, and "the only person who can make that happen is the president." He should have made adversaries like John Boehner his "best friend in the whole world," Christie suggests. Click for more from the interview, in which Christie also discusses why he didn't run for president, his struggle with weight, Facebook, and donuts. (More Oprah Winfrey stories.)