Another Poll Confirms Christie Alienating Public

by: Hopeful

Wed May 18, 2011 at 12:02:51 AM EDT

New Jersey residents are divided on Governor Chris Christie's job performance and his ratings have dropped since the last Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll in February.  He now stands at 47% approve to 49% disapprove among all state residents.  Among registered voters, he has a 46% positive to 49% negative job rating.

           The change in Christie's rating comes mainly from the number of people who shifted from having no opinion of the governor a few months ago to holding a negative view today.

This is the third poll this month with Christie back under 50% approval and surging disapproval. What's going on? Pollster Patrick Murray points to the continuing budget problems. I too think that after 18 months the incumbent governor starts to own the problems. But I think still think that his bullying and rightward shift to appeal to other states' Republican Presidential primary voters is also hurting him.

The sample has 807 New Jersey adults and a margin of error of 3.5%. You might be amused to see they polled on the governor's "YouTube" town hall performances. I should point out that the legislature, which will actually be on the ballot this year, still polls poorly (33% approve, 47% disapprove) but there's nothing new in that.