New Jersey (NJ) Poll * July 14, 2009 * Christie Up 12 In New Jersey, - Quinnipiac University

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July 14, 2009 - Christie Up 12 In New Jersey, A Step Ahead On Boardwalk, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Obama Approval At 60 Percent Among Likely Voters

Word format Republican challenger Christopher Christie is pulling away from Democratic incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine and now holds a 53 - 41 percent lead among likely voters in the New Jersey Governor's race, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
This compares to a 50 - 40 percent lead for the former federal prosecutor in a June 10 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
In a three-way matchup among likely voters, Christie leads Gov. Corzine 47 - 38 percent, with 8 percent for independent candidate Christopher Daggett.
Christie is one step ahead in the Boardwalk Poll as likely voters say 40 - 38 percent that they would rather stroll the Atlantic City Boardwalk with him. Men prefer strolling with Christie 44 - 35 percent, while women prefer Corzine 40 - 38 percent.
In the two-way face-off, Corzine leads 76 - 19 percent among Democratic likely voters, while Christie leads 89 - 7 percent among Republicans and 64 - 28 percent among independent voters. This is a jump from Christie's 56 - 32 percent lead among independent voters June 10.
In a three-way race, Daggett gets 13 percent of independent voters, with 54 percent for Christie and 24 percent for Corzine.
"Good news for Christopher Christie: As voters focus on the campaign, he increases his lead slightly in the match-up against Corzine," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Good news for Gov. Jon Corzine: President Barack Obama is coming in and Obama's job numbers among New Jersey voters are good."
"Politicians love to ponder who a third candidate hurts. Christopher Daggett helps Corzine a little. But virtually nobody knows him. Let's see what happens if his campaign starts to attract attention beyond the politics groupies," Carroll said.
"Who'd be a better companion on a stroll along the Atlantic City boardwalk? Christie wins on that 'nice guy' question, most strongly among the folks who live down near the beach. Does being a nice guy matter in a political candidate? A total of 67 percent of New Jersey voters say it's very important or somewhat important."
By a 39 - 20 percent margin, New Jersey likely voters have a favorable opinion of Christie, while 40 percent say they don't know enough about him to form an opinion. Corzine gets a negative 34 - 58 percent favorability. For Daggett, 92 percent don't know enough to form an opinion.
New Jersey registered voters disapprove 60 - 33 percent of the job Corzine is doing, his lowest rating ever and down from a 56 - 36 percent disapproval June 10. Independent voters disapprove 69 - 24 percent. Likely voters also disapprove 60 - 33 percent.
Likely voters say 50 - 36 percent that Christie would do a better job handling the state budget and 54 - 30 percent that the Republican would do a better job cleaning up corruption.
Christie's attacks that Corzine has not kept his campaign promises are fair, 45 percent of voters say, but 44 percent say the economic downturn is to blame.
Only 10 percent of voters say Corzine's attacks that Christie is too close to former President George W. Bush are fair, but 77 percent say Corzine should focus on state issues.
Obama Approval
New Jersey likely voters approve 60 - 34 percent of the job President Barack Obama is doing, the first time this question has been asked of likely voters. Obama gets 90 - 7 percent approval from Democrats and 54 - 38 percent approval from independent voters, while Republicans turn thumbs down 71 - 21 percent.
From July 8 - 12, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,514 New Jersey likely voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and nationally as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed: http://ww.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
1. If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Jon Corzine the Democrat, and Christopher Christie the Republican, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Corzine or Christie? This table includes Leaners.
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Corzine 41 7 76 28 36 45 34 66 Christie 53 89 19 64 58 48 59 29 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - - - - DK/NA 6 3 4 8 6 6 6 4 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Corzine 59 48 26 38 29 Christie 34 46 69 56 64 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - DK/NA 8 5 5 5 7
TREND: If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Jon Corzine the Democrat, and Christopher Christie the Republican, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Corzine or Christie? This table includes Leaners.
LIKELY VOTERS Jul 14 Jun 10 2009 2009 Corzine 41 40 Christie 53 50 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - DK/NA 6 9
2. If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Jon Corzine the Democrat, Christopher Christie the Republican, and Christopher Daggett the independent, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Corzine, Christie, or Daggett? This table includes Leaners.
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Corzine 38 6 72 24 34 41 31 64 Christie 47 88 16 54 52 43 53 23 Daggett 8 4 6 13 9 8 8 10 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - - - - DK/NA 7 3 6 9 5 8 8 4 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Corzine 55 44 24 34 27 Christie 29 42 60 51 58 Daggett 8 6 10 10 7 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - DK/NA 8 7 6 5 8
3. Is your opinion of - Christopher Christie favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 39 73 12 46 48 33 45 24 Unfavorable 20 4 33 16 19 20 19 26 Hvn't hrd enough 40 23 54 36 32 46 35 50 REFUSED 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Favorable 28 36 47 42 47 Unfavorable 21 21 19 22 14 Hvn't hrd enough 50 42 32 34 39 REFUSED 1 - 2 2 1
4. Is your opinion of - Jon Corzine favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 34 9 63 21 31 37 30 54 Unfavorable 58 86 29 70 63 53 63 35 Hvn't hrd enough 6 4 6 6 5 7 5 8 REFUSED 2 1 2 2 1 3 2 4 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Favorable 48 41 25 30 24 Unfavorable 37 52 68 64 70 Hvn't hrd enough 12 5 5 5 4 REFUSED 3 2 2 1 2
5. Is your opinion of - Christopher Daggett favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 5 4 4 8 7 3 5 9 Unfavorable 2 2 4 1 2 2 2 5 Hvn't hrd enough 92 94 92 91 90 94 93 85 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 - Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Favorable 4 5 8 6 4 Unfavorable 1 1 2 2 7 Hvn't hrd enough 95 94 89 91 88 REFUSED - - 1 1 1
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job as governor?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 33 9 59 24 30 36 28 56 Disapprove 60 88 34 69 66 55 66 40 DK/NA 7 4 7 6 4 9 6 4
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job as Governor?
REGISTERED VOTERS.................................... APPROVE....... DIS.. High Low High Jul 14 Jun 10 May 20 Apr 22 Apr 18 Jul 14 Jul 14 2009 2009 2009 2009 2007 2009 2009 Approve 33 36 38 37 51 33 33 Disapprove 60 56 53 54 36 60 60 DK/NA 8 9 9 8 13 8 8
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 27 15 44 17 22 32 25 42 Disapprove 59 74 38 73 67 52 62 51 DK/NA 13 11 18 11 10 16 13 7
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
REGISTERED VOTERS.................................... APPROVE....... DIS.. High Low High Jul 14 Jun 10 May 20 Apr 22 Jan 26 Jul 14 Jul 14 2009 2009 2009 2009 2005 2006 2006 Approve 28 28 28 29 44 20 20 Disapprove 59 56 55 57 31 71 71 DK/NA 13 16 17 14 25 10 10
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Lautenberg is handling his job as United States Senator?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 43 25 60 39 37 48 41 47 Disapprove 40 63 19 47 52 31 44 36 DK/NA 17 12 21 14 11 21 15 17
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Lautenberg is handling his job as United States Senator? (*High approve also 55% on 9/23/1999 & 7/22/1999)
REGISTERED VOTERS..................................... APPROVE....... DIS... High Low High Jul 14 Jun 10 May 20 Apr 22 Jul 27 Feb 20 Jul 14 2009 2009 2009 2009 2000* 2008 2009 Approve 42 44 46 47 55 39 42 Disapprove 39 36 37 38 22 31 39 DK/NA 19 19 18 15 23 29 19
9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert Menendez is handling his job as United States Senator?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 40 19 60 34 34 45 36 46 Disapprove 37 62 15 43 48 28 41 31 DK/NA 23 18 24 24 18 27 23 23
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert Menendez is handling his job as United States Senator?
REGISTERED VOTERS.................................... APPROVE....... DIS.. High Low High Jul 14 Jun 10 May 20 Apr 22 Feb 4 Feb 20 Jul 9 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2008 2007 Approve 39 40 41 41 42 30 31 Disapprove 37 31 32 32 30 31 39 DK/NA 24 28 27 26 28 39 31
10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 60 21 90 54 53 66 53 86 Disapprove 34 71 7 38 41 29 41 7 DK/NA 6 8 3 8 6 6 6 8
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? (*low also 61% on 3/11/09)
REGISTERED VOTERS.................................... APPROVE....... DIS.. High Low High Jul 14 Jun 10 May 20 Apr 22 Jun 10 Jul 14 Jul 14 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009* 2009 Approve 61 68 67 67 68 61 61 Disapprove 33 25 27 24 25 33 33 DK/NA 6 7 6 9 7 6 6
12. Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate for governor - Jon Corzine or Christopher Christie do you think would do a better job handling the state budget?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Corzine 36 9 66 24 34 39 32 57 Christie 50 84 20 61 55 46 56 25 DK/NA 14 6 14 15 11 16 12 18
13. Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate for governor - Jon Corzine or Christopher Christie do you think would do a better job cleaning up corruption?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Corzine 30 8 56 17 26 32 25 52 Christie 54 86 25 66 62 47 60 30 DK/NA 17 6 19 17 12 21 15 18
14. Christopher Christie's ads say Jon Corzine hasn't kept his campaign promises. Is this a fair criticism of Corzine or is the economic downturn to blame?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Fair criticism 45 65 23 53 52 39 48 33 Downturn 44 22 66 36 40 47 41 54 DK/NA 11 12 11 10 7 15 11 13
15. Jon Corzine's ads say Christopher Christie is too close to former President Bush. Is this a fair criticism of Christie or should Corzine focus on state issues?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Fair criticism 10 2 19 7 11 10 9 16 Focus on issues 77 91 65 83 78 76 80 73 DK/NA 13 7 17 10 10 15 11 12
16. Do you think being a federal prosecutor has given Christopher Christie enough experience to be governor of New Jersey?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 57 77 40 62 61 53 60 42 No 30 14 43 28 30 31 29 41 DK/NA 13 9 17 11 9 16 11 17
17. Do you think Jon Corzine's background as an investment banker has made him a better governor, a worse governor, or hasn't it made a difference?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Better Gov 20 9 34 13 19 21 18 30 Worse Gov 19 27 9 27 20 19 21 17 Hasn't made diff 58 61 53 58 61 55 58 48 DK/NA 3 2 5 2 1 5 3 6
18. As you may know, Governor Jon Corzine spent millions of dollars of his own money to be elected Governor and says he will do the same in this year's race for governor. Which comes closer to your point of view - by financing his own campaigns Corzine is free from being beholden to lobbyists and other special interests, or by financing his own campaigns Corzine has an unfair advantage?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk A) Free from int 46 28 67 36 44 47 42 64 B) Unfair advantage 44 59 25 55 46 42 48 30 DK/NA 11 14 8 9 10 11 10 6
19. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who would you rather stroll the Atlantic City boardwalk with - Jon Corzine or Christopher Christie?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Corzine 38 12 66 29 35 40 34 57 Christie 40 72 15 47 44 38 46 18 DK/NA 22 16 19 24 21 22 21 24 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Corzine 53 41 29 34 31 Christie 25 37 51 47 44 DK/NA 22 22 20 19 25
20. When you decide how to vote for governor, how important is it to you that the candidate has a likeable personality - very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very important 22 16 30 17 18 26 17 42 Smwht important 45 52 43 42 43 47 48 39 Not too important 19 20 17 23 21 17 21 14 Not important at all 13 12 9 17 17 10 14 6 DK/NA 1 - 1 - 1 1 - - Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Very important 31 25 15 18 20 Smwht important 48 43 45 48 44 Not too important 12 20 22 19 19 Not important at all 9 11 15 15 16 DK/NA - 1 2 - -
21. Which party would you like to see control the New Jersey State Legislature after the elections in November - the Democratic Party or the Republican Party?
LIKELY VOTERS....................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Democratic Party 45 3 87 30 37 52 37 84 Republican Party 43 92 9 47 51 37 51 14 DK/NA 11 5 5 22 12 10 12 2 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Democratic Party 68 51 27 42 35 Republican Party 25 40 61 44 51 DK/NA 7 9 12 13 14