Chris Christie, the Republican New Jersey governor, now enjoys nearly equal appeal among Democrats, Republicans and independents according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. As Christie looks to re-election this fall and maybe to the White House in 2016, he has developed a close relationship with President Barack Obama, whose overall standing with the public -- despite numerous scandals -- hasn't taken a hit, according to an NBC/WSJ poll. Christie has also energized certain segments of the Republican Party with his tough fiscal approach to governing New Jersey, and has proven popular among New Jersey residents for his crisis management style. According to the poll, 40 percent of Republicans, 41 percent of independents and 43 percent of Democrats see him in a positive light.
