Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Chris Christie Is Nation's "Hottest" Politician
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 7, 2011
Modified Mar 7, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 7, 2011
Modified Mar 7, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Chris Christie may now hold the answer to his "do or die" dilemma on whether to run for president in 2012. A Quinnipiac poll asked respondents to rate leaders from 0 to 100 degrees on a 'feeling thermometer,' with the highest numbers reflecting the warmest feelings," and New Jersey's possibly svelter Governor was rated the highest politician, with 57 degrees. Barring an unexpected shakeup at the editorial board of Teen Beat, this is perhaps the only time Christie's name will sit next to the word "Hottest" in a headline.
Christie beat out other white male Republican presidential hopefuls like Mike Huckabee (51.8) Mitt Romney (50.4) and Ron Paul (46.3), while Newt Gingrich (38.2) and Sarah Palin (38.2) clearly have some PR rehab ahead of them. Certainly the poll bodes well for the Governor Christie, though it's worth noting that the "hottest" overall person on the list is Michelle Obama (60.1), followed by Bill Clinton (59.2), with President Obama (56.5) nipping at Christie's heels.
True, Christie supports the First Lady's healthy eating campaign. But given that the public backs the union movement in Wisconsin, it may be wise for Christie to begin tempering his union-busting image if he wants to stay competitive with Mr. Obama in 2012; that and a fabulous Jason Wu dress couldn't hurt.
Tagged
2012
barack obama
Chris Christie
election
Michelle obama
mike huckabee
mitt romney
newt gingrich
ron paul
sarah palin
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
Mid-October through mid-December is deer mating season, which can be a danger to drivers as the sex-seeking creatures cross roadways throughout the Garden State.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 4:22 p.m. ET
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
News
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
Inside the plan to fix the nearly collapsed Pfizer Building, 1/64th of an inch at a time
By
David Brand
School bus carrying autistic students got lost in Brooklyn for 4 hours last year
By
Jessica Gould
NYC’s bridges can last 'forever,' if we take care of them
By
Clayton Guse
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .