A new Suffolk University poll gives Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) a nine-point lead over Republican Chris Christie -- his largest lead in any survey during this whole race.
The numbers: Corzine 42%, Christie 33%, independent Chris Daggett 7%. In this poll, all 12 candidates on the ballot were listed, in addition to the main three, with other independents also garnering a total of 3% support, and 14% undecided. There is no prior Suffolk poll for direct comparison. The margin of error is ±5%.
The pollster's analysis shows that this race has become all about the unpopularity of all the candidates, but that Corzine is now coming out the best: "Thirty-five percent of likely voters said that they would be extremely or very comfortable with Corzine, compared to 20 percent for Christie and 9 percent for Daggett. All candidates struggled with personal popularity, with Corzine viewed favorably by 45 percent and unfavorably by 46 percent. Christie polled 34 percent favorable, 46 percent unfavorable, while Daggett scored a 20 percent favorable and 25 percent unfavorable. All three candidates had higher negatives than positives."

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Avvocato
October 26, 2009 10:19 AM
Wow! Christie shouldn't be running for dogcathcher. Corzine was ripe for the taking.
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Rich in NJ
October 26, 2009 10:28 AM
Corzine is being hurt by the after effects of the Bush economy. Christie wants to implement Bush's economic policies. The case for re-electing Corzine is stronger than it may otherwise seem.
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MNPundit
October 26, 2009 11:21 AM in reply to Rich in NJ
The people of New Jersey do not seem overly swayed by this view, and that makes me hesitant, is there a reason for that?
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Rich in NJ
October 26, 2009 11:32 AM in reply to MNPundit
Apart from most people having a short attention span, I don't think Corzine has done a very good job at making that case to the voters. Also, tough economic times tend to cause some people to want change, irrespective of the kind of change that may come to pass. Christie has sought to exploit that sentiment by speaking in extreme generalities, and at one point, running ads that had so called Obama voters now supporting him.
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rb6
October 26, 2009 10:38 AM
Corzine has probably been braver than any NJ governor in a long time. He has, of course, been his own worst enemy as well on ethics related matters. It is a complete gift that the light of day makes Christie appear to be no better.
But the real problem NJ faces is that it has too much government -- too many municipalities, all with their own high overhead needs. The northeast, in general, has this problem. I think New Jersey has more governmental entities of all kinds than California does. It's a hard message.
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johnmccsf
October 26, 2009 11:10 AM
It is only right that Kleefeld was taken up into heaven like Elijah
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MNPundit
October 26, 2009 11:20 AM
Corzine is not liked, but Christie was running almost exclusively on his anti-corruption straight shooter appeal. Once he lost THAT there was no real reason to like him except Corzine hate and the third party guy and Christie's republican status keep that in check.
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Bill Bowman
October 26, 2009 11:21 AM
This also shows that Daggett's support is very weak. His numbers tank when respondents are given the full slate of independent candidates.
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Cool Blue Reason
October 26, 2009 3:31 PM
Talk about an epic meltdown...
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