New Christie campaign ad features superstorm Sandy

They're two moments Gov. Chris Christie's campaign would surely like voters to associate. One is the governor's announcement of his run for president. The other is the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, when the governor's approval ratings were at their highest.

Those are the only moments featured in "Reformer," super PAC America Leads' latest advertisement kacking for Gov. Chris Chrsitie's campaign.

"In New Jersey as governor I have stood up against economic calamity and unprecedented natural disaster," Christie says as images of the governor standing on the beach and hugging Sandy victims flash by.

Christie's job approval related to the Sandy recovery dropped below 50 percent for the first time earlier this year, according to Rutgers-Eagleton polling. In 2013, it peaked at 87 percent.

Rider University Political Science Professor Ben Dworkin told New Jersey 101.5 last week, as Hurricane Joaquin still appeared poised to hit New Jersey, he didn't expect a strong response to that storm would help Christie nearly as much.

"During Superstorm Sandy, Gov. Christie’s actions sent a message that he was a take charge kind of guy," Dworkin said. "But it’s hard to capture lightning in a bottle twice, so I’m not sure it’s going to do anything beyond reinforce what people already know about him."

Louis C. Hochman is digital managing editor for NJ1015.com. Reach him at louis.hochman@townsquaremedia.com or on Twitter @LouisCHochman.