A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely New Jersey Voters finds Obama capturing 49% of the vote, while Christie earns 44% support. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Nationally, the president holds a 43% to 35% lead over the first-term Republican governor among Likely U.S. Voters.

Christie insists he is not seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, but one of those who is, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, runs a similar race with the president in New Jersey. Obama leads Romney 49% to 43%. Given this matchup, five percent (5%) like another candidate, and three percent (3%) are undecided.