When asked how Gov. Chris Christie is performing, or if he's more of a leader or more of a bully, Garden Staters were split in the latest Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday.

Gov. Chris Christie
Scott Olson, Getty Images
loading...

The governor's handling of Superstorm Sandy efforts is one of his only bright spots in the survey.

"Gov. Christie has a very, very narrow edge in job approval, 49 to 47 percent," said Maurice (Mickey) Carroll, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "Is he more of a bully or a leader? Both: 48 to 48 percent."

Men and voters 35 to 54 years old approve of Christie far more than do women and younger voters. Predictably, Democrats disapprove and Republicans approve of the job he's doing. Independents are split.

"We asked how he's doing on the economy? Negative. How's he doing on the state budget? Negative. How's he doing on handling state education? Negative. But when we asked if Christie is doing a good job on Sandy recovery, 65 percent of voters tell Quinnipiac, 'Yeah, he is,'" Carroll said.

The governor gets negative ratings for his honesty and sensitivity to the needs of New Jersey residents, but by a better than 2-to-1 margin, New Jerseyans said he has strong leadership qualities.

"He's been drubbed in the news for months about Bridgegate, and that has eroded people's confidence in Christie's honesty," Carroll said.

Exactly 50 percent of voters are satisfied with the way things are going in New Jersey and 50 percent are dissatisfied; 34 percent said the economy is excellent or good while 65 said it is not good or poor. Only 1-in-5 said the economy is getting better.

"This is a so-so poll for Christie," Carroll said. "If I were him I'd like something better."

 

More From WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM