Chris Christie rules out presidential run yet again, and again, and again ...

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has repeatedly ruled out any run for national office in 2012, finds himself in a Shakespearean moment as some begin to wonder how to take his constant protests.

Christie appeared on the morning talk shows over the weekend and on Monday as part of victory lap for getting state workers to pay more for their pensions and healthcare. It was accomplished with a minimum of fuss compared with states such as Wisconsin and gives Christie some political cred on what is shaping up as one of the major themes of 2012, how to cut back in dire times.

Photos: Potential 2012 GOP candidates

But most interviewers are less interested in the subtleties of New Jersey politics than in Christie’s stand on a host of issues. In his appearances, Christie ruled out running for president, ruled out running for vice president, shied away from endorsing any of the candidates seeking the GOP nomination, defended his pugnacious demeanor and criticized President Obama for showing the kind of leadership Christie insists he has shown in dealing with tough budget issues.

With more than half of Republicans telling pollsters they are unhappy with their choices in the field of declared presidential aspirants, it is little wonder that Christie’s comments have an air of Hamlet’s “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

In most interviews, Christie discussed his response to a woman calling into a show this month. Identified as Gail, the woman asked Christie how he could cut funding for public schools while his children attend private schools.

“Gail, it’s none of your business.” Christie shot back.

“My children and my parenting decisions … are not open for public scrutiny and discussion,” Christie said Monday morning on radio. “There are times when I snap when I shouldn’t and I feel bad about that. I don’t feel bad about Gail.”

“She was not making an innocent inquiry, she had a point of view,” Christie said on “Fox & Friends,” “That was a nasty, bitter question.”

On that show, Christie again ruled out a run even for vice president. “No chance, I don’t think I’m suited to be the No. 2 in the room,” Christie said. Recent polls agree.

Christie said he knew both Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty, two of the candidates for the GOP nomination and that Romney had campaigned for Christie when he ran for governor. But Christie insisted he was still neutral.

“Campaigns matter, I want to watch how these folks perform in the campaign,” Christie said.

Speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Christie criticized Obama for not getting personally involved in budget and debt talks like Christie did in New Jersey. Republicans last week broke off talks in Washington, urging Obama to take a more direct role. The president is meeting on Monday with Senate leaders from both parties.

“I think the president is a leader, but I think on this debt and deficit he’s failing as a leader,” Christie said. “You can’t be the president of the United States and not be good at bringing people into the room and reach compromise.”

michael.muskal@latimes.com