OH POLL: Strickland approval lags but still far ahead of Repugs, Kasich gaining on Dewine

[jefferson_dem]

March 17, 2009 - Ohio Gov. Strickland's Approval Slips, But Still Strong, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Disapprove Of One-Shot Budget Stopgaps

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland still has a solid 56 - 30 percent job approval rating, but his support is down from 63 - 25 percent in a February 5 survey. Also dropping is public approval of a number of his education and budget proposals, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Ohio voters disapprove 45 - 39 percent of the way Gov. Strickland is handling the state's economy, a first for him, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University survey finds.

Ohio voters, by a narrow 46 - 43 percent margin, don't like Gov. Strickland's plan to use one-time only funds to meet the state's budget gap. By a 75 - 21 percent margin, voters support the proposal that will be on their November ballot to give those who served in the armed forces during recent wars up to a $1,000 bonus. Voters also support 64 - 29 percent the Governor's plan to resume passenger train service between the state's big cities.

"Gov. Strickland's numbers are down from a net 38 percent positive to a net 26 percent rating in six weeks. The movement is not large, but the fact that support for a number of his proposals and his handling of the economy is off that much and more is an indication that the public anxiety over the economy is taking its toll on his support," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The numbers themselves are not something that the Governor needs to worry about, but the trend, if it were to continue, could create a political problem for him."

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Despite the drop in public support for his programs and his job performance, Strickland remains in good shape for re-election, the poll shows. In mythical trial heats he remains ahead of the two leading candidates for the Republican nomination to oppose him in 2010. Strickland leads former Congressman and Fox News host John Kasich 51 - 31 percent and former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine 50 - 34 percent.

In a GOP primary for that nomination, DeWine leads Kasich 32 - 27 percent, a closer race than in February when DeWine led 37 - 22 percent.

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