They like him. No, they really like him.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie got high marks from Republicans, Democrats and independents across the country in a poll that measures his political appeal.
Already a rising star in the GOP, the Republican governor got relatively high marks from Democrats, more than half of whom view him favorably, according to the latest Gallup poll.
Christie enjoyed a 58 percent favorable rating among fellow Republicans polled between Saturday and Tuesday. Democrats polled gave him a 52 percent favorable rating.
Even nonaffiliated and independent voters gave Christie a 50 percent favorable rating, impressive evidence of his cross-partisan appeal, pollsters said.
The only negative note comes from his 23 percent unfavorable rating among Republicans, a reflection perhaps of Christie’s cozy relationship with President Obama, who bonded with the governor after Hurricane Sandy.
Christie’s name recognition is 72 percent today, up from the 49 percent in March 2011.
The poll was taken before Christie angered some Democrats and Republicans by calling a special election for October to fill the seat of Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died Monday.