Powerful surrogates stump for Corbett, Onorato

N.J. Governor Chris Christie campaigns for Republican a day after President Obama visits Philadelphia to back Democrat in Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was in Pennsylvania Monday to lend his support to Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett.

Meanwhile, President Obama was in Philadelphia Sunday to try to energize Democratic voters, and drum up support for his party’s candidates – including Corbett’s opponent, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato.

Polls have consistently shown Corbett ahead by about 10 points. But a Franklin and Marshall College poll last month showed the race tightening.

Franklin and Marshall College political science professor Terry Madonna says he’s not surprised Christie, with his tough line on taxes and spending, is stumping for Corbett.

Madonna says he believes Corbett is following “the Christie model” in his campaign in Pennsylvania.

“And I suspect, if he’s elected, he will follow pretty closely what Christie is doing in New Jersey. Christie has gained a reputation for his serious fiscal slashing,” said Madonna.

Chris Borick, an associate professor of political science at Muhlenberg College, says in many ways Pennsylvania is struggling with the same fiscal difficulties as New Jersey – where Gov. Christie has been enmeshed in spending battles.

“For someone like Tom Corbett to position himself along Chris Christie is at least symbolically saying he’s willing to … join the same type of fights and to make some of the painful cuts that Chris Christie has made and has pushed him in a lot of battles in the Garden State,” said Borick.