Some 71 percent of respondents support Christie's decision, while Obama's approval rate hits historic low in the traditionally blue Garden State
New Jersey voters think Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and the rest of MTV's "Jersey Shore" are bad for the state's image and overwhelmingly back Gov. Chris Christie's veto of a tax credit used by the show, a new Quinnipiac poll shows.TRENTON — The “Jersey Shore” may be hit MTV television, but it’s a real ratings loser with New Jersey voters, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released today.
By an overwhelming margin, New Jersey voters think the hit MTV television show is bad for the state’s image and support Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to block a $420,000 tax credit for the show’s production company.
“Garden State voters agree overwhelmingly with Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to slam the door on ‘Snooki,' ‘The Situation’ and the rest of the ‘Jersey Shore’ crew,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Nearly 70 percent of voters think the show is bad for the state, while 71 percent agree with Christie’s decision to block the tax credit, the poll shows
Nearly 80 percent of voters said the state should not pay $420,000 for a show that “perpetuates misconceptions about the state and its citizens," the polls shows.
There was little difference among age groups, including the show’s core audience of 18- to 35-year-olds, the results show.
The state’s Economic Development Authority awarded the show’s production company a film and television tax credit last month, drawing national attention. It was vetoed by Christie less than two weeks later.
The Quinnipiac poll also showed that 52 percent of voters disapprove of President Obama’s performance, his lowest approval rating ever in the state.
However, he still maintains a lead over the top Republican challengers, the poll shows.
“President Barack Obama is in the dumps in traditionally blue New Jersey,” said Carroll. “But he’s doing better than ‘Snooki,' and fortunately for the president, he’s doing better than this week’s crop of contenders."