A recent Rasmussen poll shows New Jersey Republican Chris Christie (what kind of name is that?) leads incumbent Jon Corzine 46-43, with an independent getting 7 points and 4% undecided.

In 2006, another supposedly close race, Tom Kean lost 44-53. In 2005, Corzine won 54-43. Last year, Lautenberg won 53-42.

Republicans have been getting about 42-44% of the vote in NJ over the past few years. It’s like in Washington where the GOP has been winning about the same.

Why would this election be any different?