Garden State Patriot

Having just read through the FDU poll, allow me to provide a little bit of a different read on it. Obviously, many in the media and in the blogosphere have been quick to seize on the 41%-32% lead Christie has over Corzine. But there are other things in the poll of interest to me as a Lonegan supporter.

In large part this poll firmly indicates 2 things: 1) Corzine is unpopular and beatable and 2) Christie is simply benefitting from greater name recognition than Lonegan. #1 is obvious and speaks for itself but let’s look a little closer at #2.

• Among all Registered Voters: 43% are unaware who Christie is, 67% are unaware of who Lonegan is
• Among Republican Voters: 33% are unaware who Christie is, 53% are unaware of who Lonegan is

Steve Lonegan is trailing Christie by 24% and 20% among Registered Voters and Republican Voters, respectively. Quite simply, if Steve is going to have a chance to win this primary, he must – absolutely must – find a way to close this gap in the next few months.

Another component to the poll which is obvious, but needs to be pointed out, is that there are many undecided voters out there still. 

• In a Corzine/Christie match-up, 27% are undecided
• In a Corzine/Lonegan match-up, 31% are undecided
• Among Republican voters, 39% are undecided about which GOP candidate they will be voting for.

As such, there are many ’swayable’ voters – both for the GOP primary – and the upcoming general. The candidate that is best able to bring these voters clearly stands the best chance of winning.

But from a Lonegan camp perspective, the positive is plenty of opportunity still exists. Steve’s team will just have to find a way to capitalize on it.

Cross-posted at Conservatives with Attitude!