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Brutal chart shows why Chris Christie probably should've run for president in 2012
(AP/Jim Cole) New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R).
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) entered crowded race for president on Tuesday, and he joins the field as a clear underdog.
That's a surprising position for Christie to find himself in. Many Republican donors urged him to run against President Barack Obama in 2012. His popularity soared in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. And he cruised to a blowout re-election as governor in 2013.
But over the past year and a half, different elements have pummeled his image in and out of his home state. There's the Bridgegate scandal, to which he was never directly linked but which clearly damaged his reputation as an executive. Then there's the economic story under his governorship: He has endured nine credit downgrades under his watch and has had continual problems with his state's budget.
The chart below shows the change in Christie's fortunes, illustrating how the percentages of Americans who hold favorable and unfavorable views of the New Jersey governor have shifted over time. Christie's net favorability peaked in January 2013, when 51% of Americans had a favorable opinion, and just 23% had an unfavorable opinion.
Those numbers have flipped upside-down, with polling this month showing 27% favorable and 55% unfavorable:
(Business Insider/Andy Kiersz)
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