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Christie maintains lead over Corzine in poll
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Republican candidate for governor Christopher Christie continues to lead incumbent Governor Jon Corzine, according to a new poll released in the governor's race. The Public Mind poll shows Christie with a statistically significant 45-39 percent lead over Corzine, although Corzine has narrowed the gap from 42-33 since the last poll by the group in April. This is the sixth consecutive survey showing Christie with a healthy lead over the Democrat, and the only one of the six to show him garnering less than 50 percent.
While the Christie campaign is certainly happy to be in the lead, the poll does contain some goon news for Corzine. First, his movement since the last survey is likely due to his advertising blitz, began on the eve of the Republican primary, attempting to paint Christie as ethically compromised from his tenure as U.S. Attorney for Newark. If so, it could mean that Christie's image as a good government crusader is being tarnished. Beyond the governor's race, the poll shows that voters mostly agree with Corzine's tax increases and property tax rebate reductions included in the recently signed budget.
Still, just 21 percent of voters said that New Jersey was headed in the right direction, a crucial measure of their dissatisfaction with Corzine's leadership. A majority of voters (54%) say they have an unfavorable view of Corzine, while 34 percent approve of Christie. In another sign that the race is tilting Christie's way, 20 percent of Democrats say they support the Republican over Corzine in the general election.
Both campaigns will spin the results of the poll as favorable for their side. On balance, however, there is far more good news for Christie than Corzine. His high negatives, low polling numbers, and voters' lack of confidence in his leadership all point to a difficult summer for the governor as he tries to hold on to his office. If Christie can avoid being labeled as an acolyte of former President George W. Bush, who appointed him as U.S. Attorney, and demonstrate to voters that he has the ability to govern, Christie will likely be sitting behind the governor's desk come next January.
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