Christie’s approval ratings stay low, poll shows
Gov. Chris Christie was again touting himself as a bipartisan leader who can get Congress and the White House to work together on big issues.
During a gathering in New Hampshire on Monday, Christie met with a group of voters from both sides of the aisle who are angry with the dysfunction in Washington D.C. Christie said being governor of a state like New Jersey, which has long had a Democratic-controlled Legislature, has given him the experience he needs to end partisan gridlock in Washington.
And while the governor's national poll numbers have been rising, New Jerseyans remain disappointed with his performance.
A new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll finds that six in 10 voters think the state is on the wrong track. The poll has not seen such strong negativity since Oct. 2009.
When it comes to Christie's job approval ratings, 56 percent of voters disapprove, while 39 percent approve. One of the things that continues to plague him is the state's high taxes. According to the poll, only 25 percent approve of his handling of taxes. Christie also gets low marks on his performance on drugs, crime, job creation and the state pension fund.
There is a bright spot for Christie.
The governor's handling of Superstorm Sandy and its aftermath continues to see positive ratings, with 49 percent approving of his job performance.