Posted on 09/30/2009 9:44:19 AM PDT by Signalman
Democratic incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine has cut Republican challenger Christopher Christie's lead in half and now trails the former federal prosecutor 43 - 39 percent among New Jersey likely voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Independent candidate Christopher Daggett has 12 points, with 6 percent undecided.
This compares to a 47 - 37 percent Christie lead, with 9 percent for Daggett, in a September 1 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
Corzine leads 71 - 10 percent among Democratic likely voters, with 11 percent for Daggett. Christie leads 83 - 6 percent among Republicans, with 9 percent for Daggett.
Independent voters shift from 46 - 30 percent for Christie, with 16 percent for Daggett September 1, to 45 - 32 percent for Christie, with 16 percent for Daggett today.
New Jersey voters disapprove 58 - 36 percent of the job Gov. Corzine is doing, little changed from deep disapproval scores in July, August and September. Independent voters disapprove 63 - 31 percent, continuing the double-digit disapproval by this key voting bloc.
"Christopher Christie is still ahead in the Garden State, but when he looks in the rear- view mirror, he sees the bearded visage of Gov. Jon Corzine getting closer," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"This race looks as if it will go down to the wire. Does Christopher Daggett's impressive climb measure a swing to him or simply a distaste for the two guys hollering at each other? Will Daggett fade on Election Day? At this stage, his numbers matter."
New Jersey voters split 38 - 38 percent in whether they have a favorable/unfavorable opinion of Christie, his worst measure of favorability so far.
By a 56 - 34 percent margin, voters have a negative opinion of Corzine, little changed from earlier surveys.
For Daggett, 84 percent still don't know enough about him to form an opinion.
In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 41 percent of New Jersey likely voters list taxes as the most important campaign issue, followed by 17 percent who list the economy or unemployment. Only 4 percent list political corruption, while another 4 percent cite honesty or morality.
Voters split 44 - 45 percent on whether Corzine is honest and trustworthy, better than September 1 when voters said 51 - 40 percent that he is not honest and trustworthy.
Christie gets a 37 - 36 percent split on the honest and trustworthy question, down from September 1 when voters said 44 - 31 percent he is honest and trustworthy.
If Corzine is elected, property taxes will go up, 61 percent of voters say, while 32 percent say they will stay the same.
Property taxes would go up under Christie, 34 percent say, as 46 percent say they would stay the same.
"The attack-attack-attack style of this rugged campaign is taking a toll on Christie, whose favorability and honesty measures are dropping," Carroll said. "But the Republican is the big winner when voters turn their attention to the biggest campaign issue - TAXES."
Property Tax Cap
New Jersey voters say 85 - 11 percent that there should be a cap on how much property taxes can be raised. Support for the cap is over 80 percent in every group measured.
But voters oppose 54 - 39 percent raising the state income tax or sales tax in order to provide property tax relief.
"New Jersey's property taxes are high and voters want to cap the increase, but they don't want to raise other taxes to do it," Carroll said.
when Daggett’s ties to Corzine are revealed, he will be a goner.
Looks like the 3rd party member will kill it for the Republican - you wait - pay attention all you who think 3rd party is the answer! It only benefits DEMOCRATS!
The Dims are still using the same ol' playbook, too, running against George Bush instead of the candidate.
Any incumbent at 39% is pretty much cooked.
Yep. This is, and has always been, a two party system. Winner take all, single member district assures that.
The attack-attack-attack style of this rugged campaign is taking a toll on Christie, whose favorability and honesty measures are dropping,” Carroll said
This doesnt pass the sniff test
We’ve often heard stories of imminent Republican wins in New Jersey, only to be disappointed. Maybe it will be different this time, but it’s one of those, “I’ll believe it when I see it” situations.
If moron voters there are suckered in by lies about how Republicans want people to die of cancer, then there is little hope. In some swing states and districts next year they will have a shot. But I say if Corzine manages to win (or steal) this election then the national GOP ought to write off that worthless state. Don’t waste another penny there when those resources can work better in PA, AR, ND et al.
I think that's the answer right there. With all his $million$ I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out Corizine or even the DNC is somehow funneling money to the 3rd party.
If Corzine goes down in NJ then Patterson in NY all those dems in congress will see weakness in BamBam's popularity and many of those in conservative leaning districts will bolt on Obamacare
“when Daggett’s ties to Corzine are revealed, he will be a goner.”
I suspected that could be the case, but just out of curiosity do you know of anything I could find to back that up?
only circumstantial. there has been a lot of advertising as of late as in infusion of cash. he seems to have come from nowhere right after Christie won primary. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, when it’s NJ politics, it’s a big, stinkin’, dog turd.
Yep those are the same things I’ve noticed that got me thinking the same thing on Dagget.
“We’ve often heard stories of imminent Republican wins in New Jersey, only to be disappointed. Maybe it will be different this time, but it’s one of those, “I’ll believe it when I see it” situations.”
Amen to that. I’ve been saying that about NJ from the get-go. Of course, I’ve been told by numerous FReepers “No, no! THIS time it’ll be different. Corzine is toast!”
We’ll see. An awful lot of NJers love government largesse up there. Voting for a GOPer instead of reflexively selecting the dem will be like withdrawing from an addictive drug. We’ll see if they can do it. I have far more hope for VA than I do NJ.
“But I say if Corzine manages to win (or steal) this election then the national GOP ought to write off that worthless state. Don’t waste another penny there when those resources can work better in PA, AR, ND et al.”
Absolutely spot-on.
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