Poll Watch: Rutgers-Eagleton New Jersey Survey on Governor Chris Christie

Rutgers-Eagleton New Jersey Poll on Gov. Chris Christie

Please tell me if your general impression of Governor Chris Christie is favorable or unfavorable.

• Favorable 67% {48%} [49%] (50%) {46%} [47%] (49%) {49%} [45%] (44%) {46%} [45%] (46%) {46%} [45%]
• Unfavorable 25% {42%} [40%] (39%) {42%} [42%] (37%) {39%} [47%] (42%) {44%} [38%] (42%) {39%} [26%]

Among Democrats

• Favorable 49% {22%} [25%] (27%) {28%} [22%] {26%} [20%] (18%) {24%}
• Unfavorable 38% {68%} [62%] (62%) {61%} [63%] {63%} [72%] (65%) {67%}

Among Republicans

• Favorable 89% {88%} [84%] (79%) {85%} [81%] {87%} [82%] (79%) {76%}
• Unfavorable {8%} [9%] (12%) {8%} [14%] {10%} [11%] (16%) {19%}

Among Independents

• Favorable 70% {49%} [48%] (55%) {43%} [52%] {52%} [47%] (49%) {50%}
• Unfavorable {36%} [40%] (32%) {42%} [37%] {33%} [45%] (35%) {37%}

How well do you think Governor Chris Christie has been handling the crisis of Superstorm Sandy, its aftermath, and recovery efforts?

• Very well 69%
• Somewhat well 23%
• Somewhat poorly 3%
• Very poorly 2% 

Among Democrats

• Very well 66%
• Somewhat well 26%
• Somewhat poorly 3%
• Very poorly 2%

Among Republicans

• Very well 78%
• Somewhat well 15%
• Somewhat poorly 1%
• Very poorly 1%

Among Independents

• Very well 67%
• Somewhat well 22%
• Somewhat poorly 3%
• Very poorly 3%

Did Governor Christie’s response to Superstorm Sandy make you more supportive of him, less supportive of him, or did it have no effect on how supportive you are of the governor?  

• More supportive 61%
• Less supportive 3%
• No effect 35%
  

Among Democrats

• More supportive 60%
• Less supportive 3%
• No effect 36%
  

Among Republicans

• More supportive 68%
• Less supportive 0%
• No effect 32%
  

Among Independents

• More supportive 58%
• Less supportive 5%
• No effect 36%
  

Governor Christie praised and embraced President Obama, during his visit after the storm, stating that this was not a time for partisan politics. Some say this showed needed cooperation and bipartisanship in a time of crisis. Others say the governor went too far in his praise of the president and hurt Mitt Romney’s campaign. What is your opinion? 

• Showed needed cooperation/bipartisanship 81% 
• Christie went too far in his praise 12% 
  

Among Democrats

• Showed needed cooperation/bipartisanship 88% 
• Christie went too far in his praise 6%

Among Republicans

• Showed needed cooperation/bipartisanship 69% 
• Christie went too far in his praise 25%

Among Independents

• Showed needed cooperation/bipartisanship 80% 
• Christie went too far in his praise 13%

Survey of 1,108 registered voters was conducted November 14-17, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 2.9 percentage points.  Party ID: 43% {38%} [35%] (37%) {39%} [37%] {35%} [31%] (36%) {35%} Democrat; 22% {24%} [24%] (22%) {21%} [20%] {18%} [19%] (22%) {23%} Republican; 35% {38%} [41%] (41%) {40%} [43%] {47%} [50%] (42%) {42%} Independent.  Results from the poll conducted September 27-30, 2012 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted August 23-25, 2012 are in square brackets. Results from the poll conducted May 31 - June 4, 2012 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted March 21-27, 2012 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted February 9-11, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted November 9-12, 2011 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted October 6-9, 2011 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted August 9-15, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted March 28 - April 4, 2011 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted February 24-26, 2011 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted October, 2010 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted September, 2010 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted August, 2010 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted February, 2010 are in square brackets.

Inside the numbers: 

Christie receives high praise even from his customary detractors. Almost three-quarters of women (72 percent) think Christie handled the crisis very well, and 64 percent say they are now more supportive of him. Fifty-three percent of black residents and 61 percent of Hispanics say the governor did very well. Forty-three percent of blacks and 55 percent of Hispanics also say they are now more supportive of Christie.

The governor’s strongest support comes from those regions most heavily affected by Superstorm Sandy. Eighty-three percent of shore county residents say Christie handled the crisis very well, as do 76 percent of northwestern New Jersey (exurban) residents. More than 60 percent in each region are now more supportive of Christie because of his actions.