It may be bad timing, but it seems the media was fevered to carry a story that has more to do about the impact of a race in 2-3 years from now, even though the public is less interested in it. According to a new PEW Research poll, the Ft. Lee Christie story drew little public interest.

Only 18% of U.S. adults said they followed news about Christie’s apology for the lane closures ordered by his aides very closely, according to the poll. By contrast, 44% very closely followed news about the cold winter weather and 28% tracked news about the economy.

There also has been little short-term change in opinions about Christie: 60% say their opinion of Christie has not changed in recent days, while 16% now view him less favorably and 6% more favorably.

The poll found that majorities of Republicans (69%), Democrats (55%) and independents (60%) say that their opinion of Christie has not changed lately. Among Republicans, about as many say their opinion has become more favorable (9%) as less favorable (10%).

More Democrats say their opinion has become less favorable (25%) than more favorable (3%). Among independents, 14% say their opinion of Christie has become less favorable and 6% more favorable.

Overall, 57% of those who tracked news about Christie and watching his apology say their opinion of him has not changed; 29% say it has become less favorable, while 11% say it has become more favorable.

Republicans overall, those who followed the story at least fairly closely are closely divided between those who are more favorable to Christie (18%) and less favorable (17%), with 62% saying their opinion hasn’t changed.

Democrats who closely followed Christie’s apology have come to have sharply less favorable opinions of Christie: 43% say their opinion is now less favorable, 3% more favorable. Nonetheless, half (50%) say their opinion hasn’t changed.

In addition, Mr. Christie job approval also took a slight slip but is still largely positive, according to the latest Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press Poll, released Tuesday.

Gov. Christie’s job rating currently stands at 59% approve to 32% disapprove among New Jersey residents and 58% to 35% among registered voters. His job approval stood at 65% approve just one month ago. This is the first time since Superstorm Sandy struck the state over 14 months ago that the governor’s approval rating has dipped below 60%. Christie’s current job rating is still higher than any poll ratings he had in his term prior to Sandy.

Republicans are sticking by Christie, giving him an 89% approval rating which is in line with the 85% GOP support he received last month. Approval has dropped among independents from 73% in December to 62% now and among Democrats from 47% in December to 38% now.

“It looks like the bridge incident has dimmed Christie’s more than year-long Sandy afterglow just a bit. Still, his job performance numbers remain strong and suggest that the governor can bank on some continued goodwill as this story develops,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)