Gov. Christie Says Stances, Style Shouldn't Hold Him Back In 2016

DES MOINES, Iowa (CBSNewYork/AP) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is trying to connect with Iowa conservatives by assuring them that ``you'll always know who I am'' if he runs for president.

While still undeclared, Christie left few doubts Saturday at the Iowa Freedom Summit that he is primed to enter the 2016 GOP race.

Christie told the Republican voters in the leadoff state in the nomination battle that they shouldn't let his blunt style turn them off. For those not enamored with all aspects of Christie's record, he says "you'll always know what I believe and you'll always know where I stand.''

He spoke at length about his anti-abortion views, which tends to resonate with Iowa's social conservative caucus-goers.

It was Christie's 11th visit to Iowa in the past five years.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday finds 46 percent of New Jersey voters surveyed approve of the job Christie is doing compared to 48 percent who disapprove.

Pollsters say that's Christie's worst overall score in almost four years.

"I don't think these numbers are particularly surprising," Rider University Rebovich Institute of Politics Director Ben Dworkin told WCBS 880's Levon Putney.

Christie last topped the 50 percent mark in January of last year, before the fallout from theGeorge Washington Bridge scandal.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)