Troubles Mount For Christie Following Measles Comments, Poll Ratings

A new Monmouth University poll has found that Governor Chris Christie’s ratings have continued to fall, with the majority of New Jersey residents stating that Christie is more concerned about securing a spot in the White house, than he is with running the state.

The poll results were announced Wednesday, in the wake of controversy surrounding Christie’s call for balance in vaccine usage and criticism for his handling of “snowmaggedon.”

Residents surveyed did not shy away from expressing skepticism regarding the Governor’s foreign trips and political ambitions, with 66% stating that the Governor is more concerned with his own political future than he is with governing the state.

In addition, 40% stated that the presidential campaign focus has made Christie a less effective governor. The Governor has come under fire for his lavish international trips, and accepting luxury gifts and parties paid for by famous friends.

Christie’s now notorious hug with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones angered many New Jersey residents. The International Business Times also suggested that Christie may have violated ethics rules if he accepted luxury box seats from the Cowboys as a gift.

According to the poll, Christie’s job rating currently stands at 48% approval and 44% disapproval. This marks a drop in approval ratings since last fall.

“Christie’s ratings stabilized last spring after a big Bridgegate-related drop, but as his travel schedule increased and presidential speculation grew during last fall’s campaign, state voter opinion started to erode again, slowly but steadily,” Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute in West Long Branch.

>> Related: WATCH: Critics Pounce On Christie For Measles Comments ... And Snow

The poll also addressed New Jersey’s thoughts on the upcoming election. When asked who would make a better president – Hillary Clinton or Christie, 58% chose Clinton with 32% standing with the Governor.

However, when pitted against another Republican, New Jerseyans were divided. 40% chose Christie while 36% chose Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

“Clinton leading Christie in ‘Blue Jersey’ isn’t too much of a shock, but Jeb Bush’s competitiveness among Garden State Republicans should give the governor pause,” Murray stated.

What do New Jersey residents think of Chris Christie as a person? The poll found that even as controversy continues to surround the Governor, 38% have a favorable opinion, while 40% see Christie in a negative light. 23% reportedly have no opinion.

The Monmouth University Poll results come just days after critics first spoke out against Governor Christie’s call for balance in vaccine usage, which was expressed in a statement advocating for parental choice in the decision to vaccinate.

Liberals and conservatives have spoken out against the Governor’s statement suggesting that parents don’t need to vaccinate their children.

“Disappointing that Gov. Christie, so well known for real talk, hedges on vaccines,” said Gabriel Malor, a conservative writer, on Twitter.

Christie also came under fire last week for his response to last week’s “snowmaggedon,” with conservative writer Cal Thomas criticizing the Governor’s response to the storm.

“The network meteorologists barely had time to come up for air while “forecasting” the latest snowstorm non-disaster,” Thomas stated. “Politicians, fearing what might happen to their approval numbers if a blizzard hit, went on TV to announce they were taking proactive measures.”

The Monmouth University Poll was conducted by telephone with 805 New Jersey adults, including 712 registered voters, from January 30 to February 2, 2015.

Do you agree with the poll’s findings? Does Christie deserve the recent flack or is he holding his own as New Jersey’s Governor? Sound off in the comments.

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