If tough-talking New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie runs for president in 2016, he might have to do it without the blessing of his fellow Garden State residents.
Fifty-three percent of New Jersey voters think Mr. Christie would not make a good president compared to 40 percent who think he would, according to a Quinnipiac poll released Thursday.
And by a 49 percent to 43 percent margin, New Jersey voters say American voters are not ready for ready for a “Jersey Guy” president such as Mr. Christie.
“Even Jersey guys, actually Jersey girls, don’t think the nation will go for a Jersey guy like Gov. Christopher Christie,” said Maurice Carroll, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
Indeed, men are divided, 46 percent to 47 percent, on whether they think American voters are ready. Fifty-one percent of women say American voters are not ready, compared to 41 percent who say they are.
Voters, by a 50 percent to 44 percent margin, say they would not like to see Mr. Christie run for president.
In a head-to-head match-up with former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who would be the overwhelming favorite for the Democratic nomination if she runs, Mr. Christie trails, 50 percent to 39 percent.
Mrs. Clinton also leads 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush by 17, 24, and 22 points, respectively, in other head-to-head match-ups.
The survey of 1,340 registered voters was taken Dec. 3-8 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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