For the first time in nearly a month, a poll of the New Jersey gubernatorial race puts Gov. Jon Corzine over 40 percent. But as voters appear to be zeroing in on their choices, Chris Christie also shows some gains in Rasmussen's latest survey.

General Election Matchup
Christie 48 (+2 from last poll, 9/9)
Corzine 41 (+3)
Daggett 6 (unch)
Not Sure 5 (-5)

Corzine's job approval rating is down, however, to 38 percent. Forty-five percent strongly disapprove of his job performance, while another 16 percent somewhat disapprove. Just as troubling for Corzine is the fact that Christie's favorables are rebounding after a tough August. Forty-eight percent now view the Republican favorably, up from 42 percent earlier this month. Corzine's favorable number is down to 39, from 45 percent. Independent candidate Chris Daggett, even with his entertaining ad, has shown no singificant movement.

If there's one more chance for Corzine to make a move, it's in the debates. Three in five New Jerseyans say they're very likely to watch the three-man debate, with another 24 percent saying it's somewhat likely. Currently two debates are set, on October 1 and 16. Corzine has not accepted a third debate invitation.

With 42 days left, Christie leads by 6.7 percent in the RCP Average.

The survey of 500 likely voters was conducted September 21, and had a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent.