Trio of polls indicate Christie's numbers soaring thanks to storm response
(CNN) - Three straight surveys over the past 24 hours indicate Chris Christie's poll numbers as governor of New Jersey are skyrocketing, thanks to his job responding to the devastating superstorm Sandy.
According to a Quinnipiac University survey released Tuesday morning, 72% of Garden State voters give the first term Republican governor a thumbs up on the job he's doing in office, a 16-point jump since before the storm struck the state in late October.
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
The poll's release comes one day after Christie announced his bid next year for a second term as New Jersey governor. Earlier Monday a Fairleigh Dickinson University survey indicated Christie's approval rating stood at 77%, a twenty-one point spike since late October. And his favorable impression jumped 19 points to 67% in a new Rutgers-Eagleton survey.
In announcing his bid for re-election, Christie told local reporters that he needed to continue leading his state in the aftermath of the powerful storm, which severely damaged parts of New Jersey.
"The public needs to know that I'm in this for the long haul. The person who has helped to lead them through the initial crisis wants to be here to lead them through the rebuilding and restoration of our state," he said at the news conference. "It would be wrong for me to leave now. I don't want to leave now. We have a job to do."
Christie also announced that he filed documents to set in motion his re-election bid. The filing of papers allows Christie to set up his campaign, raise re-election funds, and hire staff.
Fifty-nine percent of New Jersey registered voters support a second term for Christie, while only 32% oppose his re-election, according to the Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
In both the Quinnipiac and Fairleigh Dickenson polls, a major factor in the jump in Christie's overall approval rating was a big rise in support from Democrats.
"Gov. Christopher Christie never looked more like a 'Jersey Guy' than when he stood on the Seaside boardwalk after Sandy, and, just about unanimously, his New Jersey neighbors – Republicans, Democrats, Independents – applauded," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The Gov gets sky-high marks from the cities, the Shore, from every corner of the state."
Christie was a top surrogate for Mitt Romney during the presidential campaign, and was seriously considered as a potential running mate for the GOP nominee. However he came under fire from some Republicans following Romney's loss for his appearance with President Barack Obama in New Jersey during the storm's aftermath, and for his praise of the president and the federal government's assistance to New Jersey immediately after the storm.
According to the Quinnipiac poll, the vast majority of New Jersey voters, including two-thirds of Republicans, think the GOP criticism of Christie is "nonsense."
The news Monday that Christie will launch a re-election bid was widely expected. Much of the electoral guesswork in New Jersey now focuses on which Democrat will challenge Christie next fall, with much of the speculation centered on two-term Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who's seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. Newark's Democratic mayor said in mid-November his decision on running for governor has been pushed back because of Sandy.
Others considering bids are state Sen. Richard Codey - who served as governor for 14 months following the November 2004 resignation of then–Gov. Jim McGreevey – as well as State Sen. Barbara Buono and Assembly member Lou Greenwald.
According to the Rutgers-Eagleton poll, Christie has large leads over all of his possible Democratic challengers in hypothetical 2013 general election matchups.
New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states to hold gubernatorial contests in the year after a presidential election. Because they are the only games in town, they often receive outsized attention.
The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted November 19-25, with 1,664 New Jersey registered voters questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.
The Rutgers-Eagleton poll was conducted November 14-17, with 1,108 New Jersey registered voters questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @PsteinhauserCNN
From CNN Politics
- Biden White House closely watching Federal Reserve following bank failures
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Ex-Homeland chief details Supreme Court security work after previously not disclosing financial relationship
- How Xi and Putin's new friendship could test the US
- Untitled
- McConnell 'chomping at the bit' to return as several ailing senators absent from Capitol
The rest of the GOP should sit up and take notice. One of their own is POPULAR because he is working for the people he represents- ALL of them.
He isn't playing politics, blaming Obama, decrying the role of the federal government or its aid. No, he is working for the people not special interests, not lobbyists, not his party.
get it?
I wish Illinois could borrow Christie for just two years. Boy could he turn this state around!!!!!
Governor Christie – you have my vote. Previously I would not have voted for you, but since the storm, you presented yourself as a caring man who is willing to work across the isle. You should respect for the President of the United States of America – as all of the GOP SHOULD DO. As my dad once said to me – "vote for the best man and stand behind the winner". Didn't the GOP ever hear of that? If their man doesn't win, the whole U.S. looses, because they won't do wants best for the country, only wants best to boot the other guy out of office.
His appearance on SNL probably contributed to his little bump. His storm response was commendable, however, he's still the bullying, anti-teacher union governor.
I told he is not all THAT bad, he better move to little bit left too.
And on this stop of our tour of the US media, we have an example of what Americans like to call "news," but is really just a precursor to "news"...essentially an advertisement for someone they wish to use as a source of easy-to-sensationalize "news" stories. The trick is to inflate someone's importance while downplaying their faults so that even an article informing us of his choice in toilet paper can be used to generate clicks and views (i.e., the precursors to higher ad revenue).
He did one good thing. Whoopty-freekin-doo. He's done myriad ridiculously bad things, starting with the freekin tunnel. Let's pay some attention to those, eh? You want to put him in the spotlight to bolster your 2016 POTUS campaign narratives that have already started, so stop pretending that shining a light on someone doesn't also reveal their flaws.
Christie may possibly get more DIM votes than GOP votes. His slobbering love affair with Obama didn't set well with everyone.
Funny how the gop denounced Christie for his praise of the president after the storm. Seems like he's the only one coming out smelling like a rose after the election. Wonder how long it will take them to start cozzying up to Christie?
this should show that the American people want both Republicans and Democrats to work together to solve our issues. I recall Christie saying some not too nice things about Obama but when the time came to put his state FIRST he did. We can disagree and still work together. OF course that attitude may not go over very well with the likes of right wing talk show hosts and Cristie may never get his own show on FoxNews but so be it.
Christie..you are looking good for 2016 unlike the rest of your party.....this independent might just vote for you.
I don't agree with him on many issues.
But the fact that he abandoned political differences to serve the people of his state is the mark of a statesman.
The fact that he was honest and vocal about how well his political opponent handled the situation and how well they cooperated with each other makes Christie a winner.
I wouldn't vote for him, but I could understand why many people would
I am not a big fan of Chris Christie, but I must say, he has appeared to be relentless in working for the people of his state that have been devastated by Sandy. And not matter your political stance, you must admire a person that stands up, takes responsibility and does his job. Keep up the good work Governor Christie, and you shall EARN your re-election.
Linda
Governor Christie – you have my vote. Previously I would not have voted for you, but since the storm, you presented yourself as a caring man who is willing to work across the isle. You
-----------------–
You would not be so supportive of Christie if you knew the details of how he "compromised" with NJ Democrats, and passed his union busting legislation. He sat down with Democrats, and composed a piece of legislation, which passed the Democratically controlled legislature. Christied signed it into line, but used his line item veto to renege on all of his negotiated compromises. He deceived the Democrats, and broke his promises. Played them for suckers.
He will become a force, in the Democratic Party, after he switches parties.
Other then the photo opp with the president what exactly has Christie done for the storm vicitms? I mean he for sure has a big mouth and talks a good game, but really what has he done?
Ancient Texan
His slobbering love affair with Obama didn't set well with everyone.
--
yes, we all know about how you tightie righties HATE the very idea of working with someone in the other party. It's "my way or the highway" for you clowns. Fortunately, it's "the highway" for the GOP and their herd of mindless drones
I am a liberal Democrat. Christie deserves his poll ratings because he put his state first and politics a distant second when it counted Bully for Bull Bullie.