Gov. Chris Christie checks into hospital

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie checked himself into the hospital Thursday for what was likely an asthma attack, a top aide said.

“Governor Christie was having difficulty breathing this morning and out of an abundance of caution he went to Somerset Medical Center to be checked out,” according to a statement issued by his spokesman Michael Drewniak.

“In line with someone dealing with asthma, he is being given routine tests as a precautionary measure,” the statement continued.

The portly lean-government advocate, who has often made jokes about his capacious girth, was extremely grateful for “the world-class doctors, nurses and staff” at the Garden State facility, according to the statement.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has said he might consider Christie, 48, a vice-presidential nominee in the event Romney nabs the Republican Party’s presidential nomination.