Poll has Christie leading Corzine 47%-36% and 25 point lead in GOP primary

In the race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, a new Strategic Vision poll has former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie leading former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan by 25 percentage points, 40%-15%.  Franklin Mayor Brian Levine, who may not be on the ballot, runs third with 4%, followed by Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) with 2%.  Nearly four out of ten Republicans polled (39%) remain undecided.

The poll gives Gov. Jon Corzine an upside-down 36%-54% approval rating.  Corzine trails Christie by eleven points, 47%-36%, but leads Lonegan 44%-39% and Merkt 45%-30%.  The incumbent is in a statistical dead heat against Levine, leading 42%-40%.

The Strategic Vision poll gives President Obama a 58%-35% approval rating in New Jersey. 

Results are based on telephone interviews with 800 likely voters in New Jersey, aged 18+, and conducted April 17-19, 2009 by telephone. The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points.

1. Do you approve or disapprove of President Barack Obama's overall job performance?
Approve 58%
Disapprove 35%
Undecided 7%

2. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's handling of the economy?
Approve 57%
Disapprove 38%
Undecided 5%

3. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's handling of the war in Iraq?
Approve 59%
Disapprove 33%
Undecided 8%

4. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's handling of foreign policy?
Approve 61%
Disapprove 32%
Undecided 7%

5. Do you think New Jersey is headed in the right direction or wrong direction?
Right 33%
Wrong 57%
Undecided 10%

6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is performing its job?
Approve 30%
Disapprove 63%
Undecided 7%

7. Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Jon Corzine's overall job performance?
Approve 36%
Disapprove 54%
Undecided 10%

8. Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Robert Menendez's overall job performance?
Approve 49%
Disapprove 36%
Undecided 15%

9. Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Frank Lautenberg's overall job performance?
Approve 44%
Disapprove 40%
Undecided 16%

10. If the Republican primary for Governor were being held today and the choices were former federal prosecutor Christopher Christie, Franklin Township Mayor Brian Levine, former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, or State Assemblyman Rich Merkt, for whom would you vote? (Republicans Only)
Christopher Christie 40%
Steve Lonegan 15%
Brian Levine 4%
Rich Merkt 2%
Undecided 39%

11. If the election for Governor were being held today and the choices were Christopher Christie, the Republican and Jon Corzine, the Democrat, for whom would you vote?
Christopher Christie 47%
Jon Corzine 36%
Other 1%
Undecided 16%

12. If the election for Governor were being held today and the choices were Steve Lonegan, the Republican or Jon Corzine, the Democrat, for whom would you vote?
Jon Corzine 44%
Steve Lonegan 39%
Other 2%
Undecided 15%

13. If the election for Governor were being held today and the choices were Brian Levine the Republican and Jon Corzine, the Democrat, for whom would you vote?
Jon Corzine 42%
Brian Levine 40%
Other 1%
Undecided 17%

14. If the election for Governor were being held today and the choices were Rich Merkt, the Republican and Jon Corzine, the Democrat, for whom would you vote?
Jon Corzine 45%
Rich Merkt 30%
Other 2%
Undecided 23%