Christie Maintains Big Lead on Corzine

As we approach the fall and opposition to Democrats and Barack Obama swells nationwide, all eyes will be focused on the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. Here in New Jersey, despite a recent visit by Obama, GOP challenger Chris Christie continues to hold a solid lead on incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine, according to the Monmouth University poll.

Voters downcast about New Jersey's economic picture appear willing to take a chance on a gubernatorial candidate with limited background in fiscal management, according to a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey statewide poll released today.

GOP hopeful Chris Christie widened his lead to 14 percentage points over Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine. Christie leads 50 percent to 36 percent among likely voters. Last month, the results were 45 percent to 37 percent. The election is Nov. 3.

Independent Chris Daggett weighed in at 4 percent.

Christie, the former U.S. attorney for New Jersey, led Corzine in areas of key concern, including property taxes and the state budget.

Likely voters polled said that the Republican, by a margin of 50 percent to 28 percent, would do a better job on property taxes than Corzine. Those polled also said Christie would do a better job managing the state budget, 50 percent to 30 percent.

Christie increased his support from some traditionally Democratic voters, including union workers. He now holds a 48 percent to 30 percent lead among registered voters over the governor in union households, including a 47 percent to 37 percent advantage among teachers.

Christie is drawing closer to Corzine for state government worker support, with 43 percent backing Corzine and 40 percent supporting the challenger.

"There's a general lack of enthusiasm for Jon Corzine," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, West Long Branch. "The union workers are unhappy with the economic malaise here in New Jersey."

It's rather significant that a Republican holds such a sizable lead among union members and could bode well for the GOP nationwide as they seek to attract blue-collar Reagan Democrats.

Corzine, despite a massive onslaught of radio and television ads, just cannot gain any traction, although you can expect it to get even nastier than it's already been.

“The Corzine campaign strategy so far has been to go extremely negative on Christie in order to slowly chip away at the former U.S. Attorney’s reputation on ethics. Even in the wake of last week’s corruption busts, for which Christie can take some credit, this slow bleed on his unfavorable ratings has not abated,” said Murray. “However, the Republican has been able to make gains in voters’ choice because New Jerseyans have grown more negative about the job their current governor is doing.”

The poll shows that President Barack Obama’s visit last month helped bolster Corzine’s support from minority voters, bringing his black and Hispanic support to 65% from 50% last month. But Christie is making serious inroads in other crucial groups, leading 48% to 30% in union households, 47% to 37% among teachers and coming close – 40% to Corzine’s 43% -- among state government workers. Those are huge gains from Monmouth’s poll last month.

When it comes time for Christie's inevitable ad blitz, focusing on Democrat corruptions and tying it around Corzine's neck will no doubt help with independents and expect Republican turnout to be huge this year as dissatisfaction with Washington Democrats increases.

While the race here will likely tighten come the fall, it's looking like a GOP sweep in Virginia. It'll be rather amusing to see how Obama's media lackeys spin these potential losses, especially when you consider even Virginia Democrats are starting to bail.