Analysis: Christie Faces Challenges As He Returns To Full-Time Governing In New Jersey
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (CBS) -- With Chris Christie's withdrawal from the GOP Presidential sweepstakes, he returns to his full-time job as Governor of New Jersey. But one observer of Garden State politics suggests Christie could have a harder time doing his job.
Christie's first test will come Tuesday when he delivers his budget address. That's never been easy, what with Democrats calling the shots in the legislature. But Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray believes those seeking to replace Christie in 2017, like Senate President Steve Sweeney, might not be as cooperative as they've been in the past.
"One of the things that has hurt him is his earlier close relationship with Governor Christie. So Senator Sweeney is really not going to be inclined to cooperate with the Governor if it's going to hurt his political ambitions.," Murray told KYW Newsradio.
Another concern? Christie's positions of late.
"He became a lot more ideologically right wing compared to how he was acting as Governor while he was on the campaign trail," Murray said, "and now you're going to see a lot of people looking at him kind of with a little skepticism."
Not to mention his poll numbers in the state, which are at all time personal lows. Of course, Christie has always insisted he never pays attention to them.