Gov. Brown renews fitness test challenge against Christie

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) still wants New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) to take him up on a three-part fitness challenge.

Brown renewed his call Sunday to battle Christie in a 3-mile race, chin-up and push-up contest during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Brown originally challenged Christie to a fitness test last week, after Christie took a shot at him during the Republican convention, calling the California governor an “old retread” and pointing out he was 14 years old when Brown challenged President Carter in the New Jersey presidential primary.

Brown indirectly took on Christie's biggest health concern: his weight.

"I've slowed down a little bit, but I have to tell you — I ran three miles in 29 minutes two nights ago," Brown said last week. "I hereby challenge Gov. Christie to a three-mile race, a push-up contest and a chin-up contest. Whatever he wants to bet, I have no doubt of the outcome."

When CNN host Candy Crowley asked Brown about the “feud” with Christie Sunday, Brown said that Christie took a jab at him to throw some “red meat” to the GOP crowd. So he got warmed up in his own speech and issued his fitness challenge, Brown said.

Crowley asked if he was calling Christie overweight.

Brown said he was not, but rather was saying: “This old retreat can beat you any day of the week.”

---