For Gov. Chris Christie, end of a very tough week

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- A trip intended to boost his foreign policy credentials led to a firestorm of controversy, and it was just the beginning of a bad week for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

After a touring pharmaceutical company in the United Kingdom, Christie said parents in the United States should have a choice about vaccinating their children.

With the measles outbreak here at home, there was a quick backlash - leaving his office to quickly clarify his remarks.

After that, Gov. Christie canceled all press availabilities and snapped at one persistent reporter asking "is there something you don't understand about no questions?"

While he was gone, the New York Times ran a front page article detailing the governor's love of lavish free trips provided by friends to Jordan, Israel and, of course, to Dallas.

Then, we learned federal authorities have launched another investigation into his administration for allegedly dismissing criminal indictments against Christie supporters.

"It's been a really rough week, maybe a disaster," said Rider University Political Scientist Ben Dworkin. "But it's not an insurmountable disaster."

It is widely expected he is gearing up to run for president, but the governor's poll numbers are plummeting both in early primary states and here in New Jersey, where some have had it with his traveling.

"That does nothing for New Jersey, it's only for his pleasure and his family's," said Caliope Muzithras of Trenton. "At least, that's the way I feel about it."

"I think he had a horrible week, I really do. I don't know how this is going to affect him but it's not looking good," said Linda Brennan of Ewing.

"I just think it's really great before he announces that he wants to run. Everything is coming out so he can deal with it and get it over with," said Jackie Crane of Titusville. "I like him."