Chris Christy Now Has Record Popularity in NJ

     Right now-obviously very early to say the least-he should be the odds on favorite for the GOP nomination in 2016.

     After all, he has record levels of approval with very high numbers even among Democrats now and at this point he's gone way ahead of Cory Booker for the Gubernatorial race in 2013.

     "Nearly three-quarters of New Jerseyans approve of GOP Gov. Chris Christie, an unprecedented rating that even includes half of Democrats, according to a poll released Tuesday."

     "Seventy-two percent of voters approve of Christie in a Quinnipiac University poll, and only 21 percent disapprove. Christie’s approval rating is the highest Quinnipiac has measured for a New Jersey governor in at least 16 years. Seventy-seven percent of independents and 52 percent of Democrats approve of the potential 2016 president contender, who filed for reelection Monday."

    http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/84262.html?hp=l7

     He leads Booker 53-34 for 2013.

     http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/84269.html?hp=l8

     No doubt his popularity is at its nadir right now-the polls between him and Booker was basically tied prior to Hurricane Sandy. However, it's also clear that he won big points for the way he handled the emergency-and his embrace of the President who's also very popular in New Jersey.

     So while it would seem to make him an early favorite for 2016 it's actually no doubt really aggravating many in the GOP who claim that his embrace of the President hurt Romney-in this they're no doubt kidding themselves that this really decided the election. Blaming it all on the hurricane and Christy is just another way to not face the truth.

    What has given Christy such great numbers is acting in a role that transcends politics-strong leadership in dealing with the hurricane-and being bipartisan in working with the President rather than against him. This is not what the GOP wants to believe is the answer.

    As Greg Sargent notes:

    "Right wingers gnash teeth as Chris Christie’s approval soars: A new Quinnipiac poll finds that Chris Christie’s approval rating in New Jersey has jumped to 72 percent. This finding is particularly striking:

Voters approve 84-12 percent, including 69-28 percent among Republicans, of Christie’s praise for President Barack Obama’s actions after Sandy.

     "Yup, working with Obama was good politics. Maybe there’s a lesson here for the fiscal talks? Also note that over two thirds of Republicans approve of Christie’s praise for Obama — again underscoring the isolation of conservatives who ground their teeth about it."

      http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line

       Incidentally, the President's numbers are very strong now, as well. He currently has a 53% approval rating with only 39% disapproving.

        http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx

        Sounds like a good time to negotiate the fiscal cliff.