Spring Break
All is not lost
Why Jon Corzine can still win in November
Ashley Mitchell '11
Issue date: 9/30/09 Section: Opinion
The truth is, if Jon Corzine were running during a year other than 2009, he would face a much easier bid for re-election. Although economists have said that the recession has officially ended, unemployment rates are still high and the economy is not growing. This is a nationwide problem-from California to New York, states are facing budget deficits, and governors must make some tough choices about which programs to cut. Unfortunately for Jon Corzine, though, he is the only incumbent governor running for re-election this year. And while Corzine has not caused New Jersey's economic problems (and, as noted above, actually attempted to alleviate them), his critics have nevertheless attempted to frame his fiscal policies as irresponsible. Many people blame Corzine for tax increases and higher unemployment rates, ignoring the fact that other politicians in his position would have faced the same tough choices and made crucial decisions that would disappoint some people.
Governor Corzine, however, does not have to be a victim of his unfortunate circumstances. While recent polls indicate that most voters have already made up their minds about him (only 9% of voters stated they neither approved nor disapproved of his job performance), numbers show that many New Jersey voters know little about his Republican opponent. The most recent polling data shows that 44% of voters approve of Chris Christie, 29% disapprove, and 27% don't know. This means the Corzine campaign can still influence a significant portion of the population and define Christie negatively. In fact, there is evidence that this strategy is working: in May, 38% approved of Christie, 15% disapproved, and 47% didn't know. Since that poll, his approval rating has increased by 6%, but his disapproval rating has increased by 14% -an indication that the more voters learn about Chris Christie, the more likely they are to disapprove of his candidacy. Yet despite his increasing disapproval numbers, Christie has not yet relinquished his lead over Corzine. Nevertheless, as the campaign moves into the fall, Christie's poll numbers will likely begin to decline, due to the following reasons.
Governor Corzine, however, does not have to be a victim of his unfortunate circumstances. While recent polls indicate that most voters have already made up their minds about him (only 9% of voters stated they neither approved nor disapproved of his job performance), numbers show that many New Jersey voters know little about his Republican opponent. The most recent polling data shows that 44% of voters approve of Chris Christie, 29% disapprove, and 27% don't know. This means the Corzine campaign can still influence a significant portion of the population and define Christie negatively. In fact, there is evidence that this strategy is working: in May, 38% approved of Christie, 15% disapproved, and 47% didn't know. Since that poll, his approval rating has increased by 6%, but his disapproval rating has increased by 14% -an indication that the more voters learn about Chris Christie, the more likely they are to disapprove of his candidacy. Yet despite his increasing disapproval numbers, Christie has not yet relinquished his lead over Corzine. Nevertheless, as the campaign moves into the fall, Christie's poll numbers will likely begin to decline, due to the following reasons.
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raoooul
posted 7/23/10 @ 7:45 AM EST
Oh, great news. I gonna move toNew Jersey
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