(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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It's Jersey! Corruption is served in the water up there. Chicago corruption doesn't come close to Jersey's.
And two thirds feel personally embarrassed to live in a state where politicians are pictured in handcuffs,"
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New Jersey don't feel bad. If they ever got around to doing a round-up of corrupt politicians here in D.C. the parade would still be on TV, days later!
There are no questions that liberals and DAMs are corrupted. The current administration and DAMs congress behave exactly the ways that New Jersey DAMs behave. Just look no further.
Democrats = Culture of Corruption.
I can't wait to see Doug, New Jersey's insightful comments on this story. It's always exhilarating to read his pithy put-downs of the bad driving habits of the dope smoking narcissistic blue staters, and his exaltant endorsements of the moral and just red staters. You out there, buddy? Have a nice day!
Republicans fixing an election!? Wow, who would have thought? LOL
Election 2000 was the first time I realized my vote does not count if it is not for a Republican.
Where aren't the Politicians corrupt? Time to throw them all out and start over, where the people decide what benefits politicians shall receive.
They shoud be ashamed. Maybe they should be more careful who they vote for. The signs are there. Vote wisely next time.
Congratulatons on cleaning house. Now keep it that way. Hope the idea catches on in Nevada, South Carolina and a few other states where these things are rampant.
Blue state blues? Will they dump the blues?
Sopranos doesn't seem so far fetched now
Jersey voters should be embarassed by their scandal ridden state. Instead of changing their image they are polling 2 to one to elect another crook, Doug Christie who hands out no bid contracts like party favors to his friends. If he's elected to corruption will just get bigger.
i am sure the corruption will continue with corzine running again , yes new jersey is the laughting stock of the country...how sad...
CNN is corrupt by corporate America! Right-wing slimballs.
Lou Dobbs, you are a worthless sack of pus!! What are you going to do about it Mr. Independent? HA!
Don't worry New Jersey, you don't have feel alone in being embarrassed about your corrupt elitist government leaders. All educated Americans with any sense of reality are now sharing in your embarrassment of our elected officials, especially the ones in the Whitehouse!
other polls show as much as a 15% lead for Christie. Corzine LOST in the polls even after Obama visited him. The end of Democrats reign of terror since 2006 is ending in 2009 in NJ.
Christie in 2009!
Gee, they were not all Republicans were they. They must have been Demoncrats as CNN did not mention their party affiliation.
They should be. Its like a bunch of mobsters are their politicians. Or maybe the Union leaders are politicians in NJ. They are a classy group that believes in payoffs and violence so that would make sense.
Will a judge ask if these thieves are they Democrat or Republican, of course not. To poll people on what party is more corrupt with thieves is totally stupid, a thief is a thief.
As it gets closer to November, Corzine needs to pull closer or he could be toast. I do have to say that there are number of Corzine commercials up on TV. They do raise an interesting question about who Christie targeted when he was US Attorney.
I do have to wonder why Christie isn't running his own ads. All the ones that are attacking Corzine are paid for Republican Governor's Association. When is Christie going to show up on TV? The Republican Governor's Association ads can be misleading; is NJ the only state having problems - no it isn't.
Republicans should "get a pass," as indicated in the article. 43 of those 44 who were arrested are Democrats. Look it up.
Welcome to a government that's been dominated by Democrats for decades. If there's one thing Democrats do best it's taking advantage of consituents (especially their tax money). Maybe a regime change would fix things up a bit.
This all the while the democrats in the federal government keep saying "those dirty lying republicans"! Warning need damage control to the Democratic Party.
This will hurt Corzine in the long run. Guilt by association.
I don’t live in New Jersey, but rather in New York which is a close neighbor. The two states share a lot (people live in NJ and work/shop in NYC) and vice-versa. The campaign ads which both parties are running against each other could leave one undecided unless he is greatly impacted by what is taking place at this time. Corzine is labeled as an under-achieving flip flopper and Christie is accused of cronyism and is also being aligned with Bush (ouch!)
I love your biased language....Republicans "get a pass" Why is that?
Could it be what you try not to mention in your coverage?
Here's a poll for you
100%..........Democraps in handcuffs
0%...............Republicans, indepentdents,libertarians,peace and freedom + whatever other parities are active in NJ
So.....Libertarians get a pass too
But you use the line Republicans get a pass