Christie On Election Day: GOP Will Make History [VIDEO]

If you’re not happy with the way things are going in New Jersey you have a chance to do something about it ten days from today.There’s little drama because there are less than a handful of races considered competitive, but Election Day is fast approaching. November 8th is the day to cast a ballot.

“New Jerseyans can tend to be cynical at times and I’ve heard New Jeseryans over the course of time say, ‘you know, it doesn’t matter who you vote for, they’re all the same,’” says Governor Chris Christie. “I don’t think that anybody can say that New Jersey is the same today with me being Governor as it would’ve been if (former Governor) Jon Corzine were elected.”

“There’s people who are discontent,” acknowledges Christie. “There are huge problems with unemployment and we just have to get more people back to work. People are always concerned about their taxes at every level whether it’s income or property taxes……People are upset and angry about some things in New Jersey. The only way for them to be able to have an effect on trying to move the state where they want it moved it to get out there and vote.”

“Aside from the fact that the new legislative map protects nearly every incumbent, Democratic voters are actually more unhappy than Republicans, which may be due to how much the leadership has compromised with the governor. However, there is no indication they are willing to cross party lines in this election to express their dissatisfaction,” says Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.

Video by Dino Flammia

Most if not all non-partisan political pundits agree there is almost zero chance Republicans can gain control of either the State Senate or the General Assembly, but Christie, without elaborating says, “We’re (Republicans) going to make history.”

According to an FDU-Public Mind poll released earlier this week, less than a majority (44%) have a “great deal” of interest in the elections-though a majority of public employee households (58%), a group critical of the governor, say they have a great deal of interest in them. 40% of voters say they prefer that Democrats control the state assembly and senate, compared to 34% who prefer Republicans in control. Among those who approve of the Governor, 56% say they want Republican control of the legislature, but among those who disapprove of Christie, 68% say they want Democrats in control.

“Legislative races turn more on the visibility, likability and party affiliation of the candidates, than on statewide issues,” says poll director Peter Woolley. “The best even a popular Governor can do, is raise money for his party, and raise the profile of local candidates.”

Christie is not up for re-election this November, but the survey asked voters their thoughts on his potential Democratic challengers in 2013. Former Governor Dick Codey’s favorable to unfavorable ratio is the strongest at 7:2 (28%-8%), while Newark Mayor Corey Booker’s ratio is almost 3:1 (35%-13%). Representative Frank Pallone breaks about even, 12%-13%, as does State Senate President Steve Sweeney (13%-15%).