Monmouth poll: Corzine 43%, Christie 41%, Daggett 8%

A Monmouth University/Gannett poll released this afternoon shows Gov. Jon Corzine with a two point lead over Republican Chris Christie – 43% to 41% -- which is within the poll’s margin of error.  Independent Christopher Daggett polls at 8%.

That’s a statistically insignificant change from a Monmouth poll release Sunday that showed Christie leading Corzine by 43% to 42%.

With Election Day looming, the race remains too close to call.  

“This race is still as close as it can be.  It’s possible that President Obama’s visit boosted the governor’s chances.  But it is also likely that some anti-Corzine voters are still unsure of casting their lot with Christie,” said Monmouth University Polling Institute Director Patrick Murray..  If the undecided vote breaks largely for the Republican, this race could be a squeaker.’

Corzine’s approval rating is mired in the same upside-down territory it has been in through most of the campaign, with 36% of respondents approving of his job performance and 54% disapproving.  But his personal favorability rating has improved, with 40% of voters seeing him favorably compared to 44% who view him unfavorable – narrowed from a 10 point upside-down gap in Monmouth’s poll from last week.

Christie, however, has seen his negatives go up a little since last week, and is now at 40% favorable to 38% favorable compared to a rightside up 46% to 38%  in the last poll.  Voters are split down the middle on Daggett – 21% to 21% -- though a majority – 58% -- have not formed an opinion of him.

Despite President Obama’s two massive rallies for him yesterday, Corzine’s share of the Democratic base remained at 77%. Christie saw a slight drop off in Republicans, at 82% support from members of his own party – down from 86% last week.

Christie leads among independents, getting 43% of their vote to 33% for Corzine and 12% for Daggett.

Of the poll's respondents, 6% had already voted.  Of those, 53% went for Corzine compared to 31% for Christie and 5% for Daggett.

Monmouth surveyed 722 New Jersey likely voters on Saturday and Sunday, producing a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7%.