I think we all underestimated his political skill coming in. You can’t deny that he’s been a tour de force in Trenton. He has managed to control the legislative agenda more than other governors, despite having a Legislature controlled by the opposite party.

—Brigid Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University, on Governor Chris Christie, New Jersey, and the legacy of complaints: NYT

He’s a much better communicator than we realized, and people seem to be willing to go along with him for now. He uses clear language, he doesn’t mince words, he’s funny, and he says what he thinks.

—Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute: NYT