TRENTON &mdash New Jersey voters are split on whether they approve of the job Gov. Chris Christie is doing, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this morning. The survey of 1,532 registered voters found 47 percent approve and 46 percent disapprove — a significant drop from the last Quinnipiac poll in February that had Christie at a 52...
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie appears in this file photo.TRENTON &mdash New Jersey voters are split on whether they approve of the job Gov. Chris Christie is doing, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this morning.
The survey of 1,532 registered voters found 47 percent approve and 46 percent disapprove — a significant drop from the last Quinnipiac poll in February that had Christie at a 52 percent to 40 percent positive rating.
Men approve of Christie 56 percent to 38 percent, while women disapprove by 53 percent to 38 percent.
“Christie’s job approval numbers are only narrowly positive. And there’s a real gender split over this ‘Jersey guy’ governor,” said poll director Maurice Carroll.
The poll was conducted between April 12 and April 18. On April 13, Christie sparked a media firestorm by encouraging reporters to “take the bat out” on state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen). Weinberg had criticized Christie for going easy on his allies for double dipping when she was also collecting a pension.
Carroll downplayed the effect of the Weinberg controversy.
“The Men love him. The women don’t like him. Could Loretta Weinberg have something to do with it? Yes. But so could school teachers. You name it,” said Carroll.
When asked for a word to describe Christie without suggestions, 140 respondents volunteered “bully” — by far the largest number. “Arrogant” and “good” tied for second place, at 41 respondents each.
The poll found that most New Jersey residents don’t agree with Christie’s statement last month that he could beat President Obama, despite saying that he will absolutely not run for president in 2012.
Only 33 percent believe Christie when he says he can beat Obama, while a majority believe Christie when he says he won’t run.
In a head to head matchup with the president, New Jersey voters would pick Obama 52 percent to Chrisitie’s 39 percent.
Voters are also split on U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who is up for reelection next year, 42 percent approve to 40 percent disapprove. U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is roughly the same, 44 percent to 42 percent.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Previous coverage:
• Tough talk could become political vulnerability for Gov. Chris Christie
• Gov. Christie criticizes N.J. Sen. Weinberg for simultaneously collecting pension, paycheck
• Christie says Essex County executive is wrong to collect pension, full salary
• State's largest police union calls for Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo to resign
• Loophole allows Essex County Executive DiVincenzo to collect full salary, pension