Christie’s Approval Ratings Slide — Except Among Republicans

The GOP hasn't written off Christie's political future yet

  • Share
  • Read Later
Bryan Thomas / The New York Times / Redux

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie departs Borough Hall after personally apologizing to Mayor Mark Sokolich for the George Washington Bridge lane closures, in Fort Lee, N.J., Jan. 9, 2014.

According to a Monmouth poll released Monday — the only poll taken since the bridge scandal began — Chris Christie’s approval ratings are down overall. But his numbers have actually improved among Republicans in recent days.

After documents surfaced last week showing that New Jersey Governor Christie’s aides plotted to stall traffic on the George Washington Bridge as payback for the Fort Lee, N.J. mayor not backing Christie’s reelection, most assumed that the scandal fallout would jeopardize Christie’s political future. But Christie’s chief political officer, Mike DuHaime, told the Washington Post Tuesday that the presidential hopeful was getting “positive, proactive” feedback from his fellow Republicans.

Though that might seem like political spin, the new poll says, “Republicans are sticking by Christie, giving him an 89 percent approval rating which is in line with the 85 percent GOP support he received last month.”

Of course, Christie’s approval ratings among other constituents has fallen. He has just a 58 percent approval rating among registered voters in New Jersey; it’s the first time since Superstorm Sandy struck that the governor’s approval ratings have been below 60 percent. His job approval rating has also fallen from 65% a month ago to 58%.