Christie's approval ratings tank, still strong

Mel Evans/AP

'His job approval has dropped from the stratosphere, but it's still double-digit positive,' said Quinnipiac polling director Maurice Carroll.

The George Washington Bridge gridlock probe threw Gov. Chris Christie's approval rating into reverse.

The combative Jersey guy's support hit its lowest level in 16 months with revelations about his administration's role in creating a four-day traffic jam in Fort Lee.

But Christie, at the start of his second term, still had the backing of 55% of those Garden Staters surveyed between Jan. 10 and 13 in a Quinnipiac University poll.

Eleven months ago, the former U.S. attorney's approval rating topped out at 74%.

'His job approval has dropped from the stratosphere, but it's still double-digit positive,' said Quinnipiac polling director Maurice Carroll.