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What Do You Think When You Think New Jersey?

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - It wasn't too long ago that New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean was inviting everyone over to visit.

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"New Jersey and you, perfect together," said his ad campaign.

Now, a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind phone survey is asking people across America, "What comes to mind when you think about New Jersey?"

LINK: Full Poll Results (PDF)

So, WCBS 880 asked the same question on its talkback line.

One of the answers from a young lady was, "great beaches, the wilderness and 30 minutes from the city."

Closeness to New York City, is actually the number 1 answer in the nationwide poll. When people think of New Jersey, they think of New York.

So New Yorkers, keep that in mind next time you mock the Garden State.

That young lady, also nailed the number 2 answer - the Jersey Shore.

Another caller agreed, saying, "I think of Cape May, Seaside Heights, all the wonderful people."

Number 3 is positive, too - Garden State - farming and open space.

Another caller also noted the state's natural beauty, but expressed concern about crime in the state.

"I think New Jersey is one of the prettiest states ever. It's considered the Garden State, and I truly believe it is. However, my first thought is crime," he said on the WCBS 880 talkback line.

Crime itself didn't make the nationwide poll, but some other not-so-nice parts of the state come in at 4, 5, and 6, including corruption, pollution, overpopulation. New Jersey is America's most densely populated state.

Other responses included "The Sopranos" and bad smell.

Number 7 was Atlantic City and casinos.

And finally, at number 8, a specific person made the list. However, it wasn't the Boss or even the Chairman of the Board.

"When I think of New Jersey, I think of its amazing governor - Christie," said one WCBS 880 responder.

Gov. Chris Christie also got more mentions than Bon Jovi, and the show "Jersey Shore."

We also asked you to sound off on our Facebook page, where our very own Stewart Lewis had a one-word answer: "hell."

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