AP Photo/Mike Derer
President Barack Obama is a liability to Governor Jon Corzine's campaign. That is the surprising conclusion from a recent poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic leaning polling firm. According to the poll, one-third of New Jersey voters say that Obama's recent visit to the Garden State to campaign and raise money for Corzine made them less likely to vote for him in November (.pdf) Corzine has been using his closeness with the president as a key rationale for his re-election.
Other polls have indicated that Obama's relative popularity in New Jersey – 53% approve of his overall job performance – would not benefit Corzine. This most recent survey again confirms that fact, as more than three in four voters say that Corzine should focus on local and not national issues. Similarly, 42% of New Jersey voters say that a visit by former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin would make them less likely to vote for Christopher Christie for governor.
In the governor's race, the poll found Christie leading Corzine by 14 points, 54-40. That is an increase of four points for the Republican over last month's poll. The result is right in line with two other recent polls showing Christie maintaining a 14-15 point advantage over the incumbent.
Needless to say, the result is very bad news for Corzine. If he is unable to utilize his greatest advocate and weapon, President Obama, his campaign is effectively dead in the water. Corzine's attacks on Christie's alleged ethical lapses have failed to stick, and may have even served to help increase Christie's lead. With three months to go, and reports that the Democratic Party is considering replacing him on the ballot, the Corzine campaign is in desperate need of traction.
For the Obama Administration, too, the numbers must be troubling. Obama has been a fixture on television news since he was elected, with at least one public event almost every single day. He has also pushed a very ambitious agenda, seeking to take advantage of his personal popularity. The poll results could indicate a growing unease among voters with the Administration's pace and policies. In short, Obama is overexposed. Unless the White House revamps its public strategy, Obama will not be able to assist Democratic congressional candidates in next year's mid-term elections, in which Republicans stand to make substantial gains.
Comments
I really think Christie will have it in November.. Corzine has had his run. Picked up my on cafe press.. here come "real" change...
can't wait for my vote to count for something
It is clear, post-NJ governor's election, that Obama has finally lost his relevancy! Through no fault of his own and a wife who cannot coordinate a wardrobe!
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