(CNN) - A new poll suggests that New Jersey voters overwhelming say government corruption is a problem.
Ninety-three percent of people questioned in a Quinnipiac University survey released Tuesday morning say government corruption is a "somewhat serious" or "very serious" problem and 65 percent of voters say the recent wave of arrests embarrasses them as New Jersey residents.
Last month an FBI operation netted 44 people in a fake cash for development sting. One assemblyman and two mayors arrested in the sweep have resigned, and other resignations could follow.
"Is corruption a big problem? Wow, is it! Almost everyone in New Jersey thinks so. And two thirds feel personally embarrassed to live in a state where politicians are pictured in handcuffs," says Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "More than half associate corruption with the Democratic party. Almost a third say both parties share the blame. Republicans pretty much get a pass."
The corruption story could have a major impact on New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine's battle this year for re-election against Republican challenger Chris Christie.
In the poll, the Democratic incumbent trails the former federal prosecutor 51 percent to 42 percent. That nine point deficit is down from 12 points in a Quinnpiac University poll conducted last month.
In a three way contest, which includes Independent candidate Christopher Daggett, Corzine trails Christie 46 percent to 40 percent, with Daggett grabbing seven percent. Corzine's six point deficit in the three way showdown is down from nine points last month.
The Quinnipiac University survey follow's last week's release of a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey survey that indicated Christie had a 14 point lead over Corzine among likely voters in a three way race.
"All recent polls in New Jersey agree on one thing: Corzine continues to trail Christie. Any movement in these summertime polls may not be significant," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "The real question is whether Daggett, the independent candidiate, will take more support from the Republicans or the Democrats. The latest Quinnipiac poll seems to indicate that most of Dagget's supporters would vote for Christie in a two-way race."
The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted August 5-9, with 1,167 New Jersey likely voters questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.
From CNN Politics
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Yeah, embarrassed by the corruption of their elected officials but not surprised in the least. NJ is corrupt from the head to the foot. Just like Chicago, Detroit, and DC. Clear them out and start over completely.
I live in NJ and I'm voting for Corzine. Nothing could make me vote Republican, ever.
The people from New Jersey needn't be ashamed. Illinois is just as bad as they are. I hear terrible things about Utah too. My county commissioner is under indictment for taking bribes.
Whenever there is a problem, our elected officials propose stiffer penalties. Many of them pose before a jail cell while delivering election messages. I propose life in prison for any government official who sells influence. I propose the same penalty for anyone who offers a bribe.
Sauce for the crooked gander is sauce for the bribe-taking goose.
Government corruption is nothing compared to the Corporate corruption.
SO there is a favor or two, big deal. Look at what Enron did to California, by shutting power plants on purpose "for servicing" during the summer. Then making Edison here go thru black rollouts, and jacking the prices of electricity.
I haven't heard a darn thing about that on CNN, and we have audio tapes. But let a governor go down to Argentina, or get a hooker in Washington, aaaalllll hell brakes lose "with government coruption", while the fat cats have their over stuffed tax free bank account at the Cayman Islands.
That is like worrying about a mousqito bite, while both of your legs have been severed.
We really are the problem and corrupt. Buh, bye democrats!
Well, that is politics! I am from Boston, you know, the city of the "Big Dig"? An hour North of Providence RI? I also live in the county that was mostly affected by this sting. However, where there is huge amounts of development happening, you can find those folks who can't resist the temptation. I am an NJ transplant and actually love my adopted state and love my town. It is a successful state and a beautiful state and we should not let the "Sopranos" the "New Jersey Housewives" and the "sting" make us ashamed.
WooHoo! Go, Jersey! Start kicking them out and bringing in new blood! Start a wave across the country that puts politicians on notice that if they are corrupt or don't follow the will of the people who put them in office, then they WILL be voted out!
Just goes to show you, when you want real corruption, at its finest, have a Dem do it. They're the masters of the craft.
What a joke, these liberals here like to think they are part of the mob, which is really the Democratic party. I would go as far as to say that a majority of libs in this state think it is cool that their Democratic cronies just happen to have their adversaries conveniently commit suicide and other Soprano type Democratic realities.
Hey, we like the Chicago cronyism so much that Obama is an asset to Croniezine, if they both could use the term "swimmin wit duh fish-iz, Johnny would cruise to re-election. Send us your Blago-lib, he could probably become a Senator here.
Execute your right and vote those which are corrupt out of office. Apparently you are not satisfied wwith those in office now. so CHANGE
They should be embarrassed and they need to hold the politicians accountable.
Corzine is being cornered and called a competent chap in cultivatin' corrupt comports among politicians, by his opponents, we believe. Whether we ware right or wrong, remains to be seen.
I sympatize with Republican party, they must be dreaming if they think they can win governorship election against democrats in new jersey. common people be realistic, Corzine with all his money, all New Jersey democratic voters state, and a brand new president who is tearing himself apart to correct all the wrongs in this country. That is not going to happen. Mark my words. The governor just need to work hrd to re assure the people that he understands their concerns and do his best to address and continue to address it.
Bye, Bye Jon. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Surprized??? every one knows that New Jersey is called Chicago East.
Another democrat on his way out. Looks like 1994 all over again.
wow,cnn doing dirty work for republicans at best!
Has the Ticker become a right wing blog?
Cheer up New Jersey, we've got Blagojevich.
According to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 17 representatives and senators are known to currently be under investigation for breaking ethical standards. Of those under investigation, 13 are Democratic members and four are Republican members.
We don't need more government. What we really need is more government oversight! Why is that so difficult for all of you people to understand?........"HELP"!......................I live in a wourld surrounded by IDIOTS!
What's missing from the story.......................... hmmmmm, oh yes, the FACT that the bums that got arrested last month were uh, uh, uh, uh Democrats.
My bad, I apologize for the facts, who wrote this the AP?
BOTH parties have losers, but it is comical how the stories are written, YOU NEED TO DIG UP THE PARTY when it is a demorat or group of Demorats.
I lived in the New York/New Jersey area for 12 years and the people aren't any better than the government. Bergen County, for example, is highly resistant to "sunshine" laws and local government oversight. Inevitably, ties between local government, business, and "other" become more important than the rule of law. The PEOPLE of New Jersey ARE the GOVERNMENT of New Jersey- calling them criminals would be a compliment.