By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) — It’s part honor, part programming ploy, as the ABC television network tonight airs the annual Barbara Walters special highlighting those she feels are the year’s ten most fascinating people in America.

Among those who made this year’s list is the governor of New Jersey.

As if Christie’s approach to his job hadn’t already attracted enough national attention (remember, he did keynote the Republican National Convention), the events after Superstorm Sandy may have proved to be the difference that put him on the list.

Some suggested his obesity might get in the way of his job performance, but Christie would disagree.

“Well, I’ve done this job pretty well,” Christie said this morning on Good Morning America, “and I think people have watched me for the last number of weeks for Hurricane Sandy, doing 18-hour days and getting right back up the next day, and being just as effective in the job, so I don’t really think that would be a problem.”

Nor does he see his weight as a problem in a possible 2016 presidential run.

The Barbara Walters special airs tonight at 9:30pm.