PATERSON - Appearing at the Brownstone at a beefsteak dinner hosted by state Sen. John Girgenti (D-Hawthorne), Gov. Jon Corzine this evening swatted aside news of the New Jersey Environmental Federation's endorsement of GOP challenger Chris Christie.

"President Barack Obama selected my DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) commissioner to head the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and Al Gore, one of the foremost environmentalists in America, came here to endorse me and knows how we have promoted clean energy alternatives," Corzine told PolitickerNJ.com. "On an objective basis, environmentalists know we have no intention of despoiling the environment."

A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll Tuesday showed Corzine leading Christie for the first time since February, 44-43%.

"I'll say the same thing I have always said, which is that the only poll that matters is the one on Nov. 3rd," said the governor.

Asked about the legislative leadership battle, which pits Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) against the Essex County backers of his South Jersey rival, state Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford), and its spillover potential on the governor's race, Corzine said he thinks it's inside baseball.

"Most people are increasingly focused on Nov. 3rd," said the governor.