Chris Christie is in no way toast nationally. I think this term is going to show much more bi-partisanship than the last one...well it would be hard to have less, or even an equal amount. The Republicans have to know by now that just sitting in the way, and offering up nothing but NO isn't going to work. If they want to evolve, they are going to have to rethink much of their platform/strategy. They gain nothing by being obstructionist this time. If you want to see bad approval ratings, just look at congress.
The demographics are shifting away from the old rich white guys, the GOP needs to roll with the tide or get swept out to sea.