Christie leads Corzine by 7 points in new Rasmussen poll

Republican Christopher Christie leads Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine by seven percentage points, 46%-39%, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll released today.  Christie led Corzine by thirteen points, 51%-38%, in a Rasmussen poll just after Christie won the Republican primary.

But with leaners included, Christie's lead grows to twelve points, 53%-41%.

Voters, by a 55%-32% margin, say they trust Christie more than Corzine to cut their taxes

Corzine has upside-down job approvals of 40%-58%, and upside-down favorable of 43%-46%.  Christie has a favorable rating of 57%-36%.  Just 16% of voters strongly approve of Corzine's job as Governor, while 44% strongly disapprove.   Among those voters who say they could still change their minds, 60% disapprove of Corzine's performance including 38% who strongly disapprove.

Corzine's favorable are up two points from the June poll; Christie's are up four. 

The pollster pointed to Corzine's TV ads attacking Christie's ethics as a reason for the tightening of the race. 

"The other good news for Corzine is that 42% of voters statewide are either undecided or say they could change their minds," Rasmussen reports wrote.  "However, the flip side of that is good news for Christie: Nearly six-of-10 voters say they've made up their minds. Among those voters, Christie leads by 16.

President Obama, who will campaign for Corzine next week, has a 55%-44% favorable rating in New Jersey.  Nearly half the voters polled (47%) say they think Obama will help Corzine, and Obama's numbers are "a bit higher among those voters who can still be swayed."