Not that into him

If Gov. Christie's relationship with New Jersey were a marriage, now would be the time to make a critical decision about whether to make up or break up.

Christie's performance ratings are tanking, a trend exacerbated by his long affair with presidential politics. Because he was out buffing his national image, he hasn't slept in the state regularly for years.

Residents aren't laughing at his jokes as much anymore either - such as telling a citizen to "sit down and shut up" or threatening a heckler while clutching an ice cream cone. Many once found that behavior charming in a wiseguy way, but it seems to have worn thin.

Meanwhile, the spectacle of the governor effectively suing himself over pension reforms he lobbied for, signed into law, and bragged about raises more questions about the rationale for a Christie presidency.

A recent Rutgers-Eagleton poll found that 54 percent of respondents disapprove of his performance as governor. Only 24 percent say he would make a good president, a sign that few take home-state pride in his presidential ambitions. Fifty-seven percent say he's arrogant, and 45 percent call him a bully.

Christie can't blame the former aides who allegedly orchestrated a traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge for all of this. New Jersey has suffered a record nine credit downgrades on his watch, its unemployment rate is the highest in the region, and his economic policies encourage companies to skip from town to town within the state.

Roads, bridges, and mass transit are deteriorating. And despite his attacks on teachers, Christie hasn't improved public schools.

These are real problems, but instead of appearing concerned about them, Christie is taking chartered jets to other states on a regular basis and making statements that seem at odds with his administration. Given his environmental record, for example, his recent declaration in New Hampshire that humans have something to do with climate change was a little late and easily seen as calculated to make him look like the moderate in a growing pack of GOP hopefuls.

The governor seems to be prolonging his flirtation with a presidential campaign for the money as much as the love. He can scoop up unlimited funds from super PACs as long as he doesn't officially declare a campaign. Once he does, tighter rules will kick in.

Christie's second in command, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, has been a largely silent partner, but she would have to assume a much more prominent role if the governor resigns or increases his absences to run for president.

Christie should either declare his candidacy or recommit to running the state. He can't do both, and New Jersey needs to get on with its life.