by KYW's Steve Tawa
A political scientist at Rider University says Republican areas of New Jersey outperformed Democratic strongholds to give Chris Christie (above) his win over Jon Corzine on Tuesday in the race for governor (see related story).
Turnout always matters, and what was striking was that folks showing up in Republican "base" areas like Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to Rider professor Ben Dworkin:
"Places that typically give Republicans a plurality of 20-25,000 votes were now giving Chris Christie a margin of upwards of 70,000 votes."
It's the first statewide win for Republicans since 1997, when Christie Whitman defeated Jim McGreevey.
Corzine made up some ground, having been behind in some polls by 15 percentage points, and Democratic heavyweights backed him. President Obama made three trips to New Jersey, including a visit last Sunday to Camden (related story).
Still, notes Dworkin, it wasn't enough:
"Having Obama put his arm around you helps. But is isn't going to carry you over the top."
But Dworkin doesn't think Corzine's loss was any reflection on Obama's policies. He says Corzine never went above 40 percent in personal approval ratings.
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