Daggett may draw from Corzine or Christie
Monday, August 24th, 2009
By: Phil Gregory
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While recent polls show no more than 10 percent of New Jersey voters backing independent candidate Chris Daggett in the race for Governor, his candidacy could still play a big role in the November election. But analysts disagree whether Daggett will draw more voters away from Democratic Governor Jon Corzine, or Republican challenger Chris Christie.
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Fairleigh Dickinson University political science professor Peter Wooley says Daggett is more likely to take votes from Corzine.
Wooley: People who might feel independent and dissatisfied with Corzine but unwilling to vote for a Republican would migrate to Daggett.
Ruth Mandel, the director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University says Daggett may attract independent voters and that could hurt Christie.
Mandel: In that case the Governor has the advantage of Democratic voter registration.
Daggett says he's not concerned whether he would take votes away from Corzine or Christie.
Daggett: I'm looking at winning this election not about whether I'm helping someone else win it.
Political analysts do agree Daggett doesn't have much of a shot. They say it's unlikely he'll end up with more than 10 percent of the vote on election day.