Uncle Teddy is cracking!

A once highly popular Governor is starting to show some true colors. As people learn more about our own Governor Strickland his popularity has been steadily decreasing. Maybe he should have spent more time being the Gov. in 2008 rather than schmoozing with Hillary and Obama.

This is from the Dayton Daily News.


By William Hershey | Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 08:48 AM

Gov. Ted Strickland’s job approval rating has fallen to 54 percent, the lowest of the year, but the Democrat still appears in strong shape for re-election in 2010, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released today, Dec. 10.

The poll also found that former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, the Cedarville Republican, is the best known of Republicans considering a challenge to Strickland in 2010, although former U.S. House members John Kasich of the Columbus area and Rob Portman of the Cincinnati area are well regarded among those who know them.

In another development, the poll found that Republican U.S. Sen. George Voinovich may face a tough fight for re-election to a third term in 2010. In the poll, 36 percent want to give him another term while 35 percent backed an unnamed Democratic candidate.

The poll also found that Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner could face re-election problems. She is viewed favorably by 26 percent of voters, compared to 24 percent who view her unfavorably and 49 percent who don’t know enough about her.

Her possible Republican opponent, House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, is a blank slate to 86 percent of voters who havent’ heard enough about him to have an opinion.

For full poll results, click here.

In the new poll, 54 percent approved Strickland’s job performance while 25 percent disapproved. This is down from a 60-25 percent approval rating in August. His highest approval rating in the polls since taking office in 2001 was 61-15 percent in November of 2007. His lowest was 45-12 percent in February of 2007.

“He’s in good shape,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Most governors would be very happy with those numbers half way during his term. He’d have to be considered a favorite for re-election…”

His approval rating still was higher than that of the Republican-controlled legislature. In the poll, 46 percent viewed the legislature’s performance favorably, while 35 percent had an unfavorable view.

Among possible Strickland opponents, Mike DeWine, defeated in his 2006 re-election bid, is viewed favorably by 43 percent of voters, compared to 24 unfavorably. Kasich is viewed favorably by 18 percent and unfavorably by 8 percent. Portman is viewed favorably by 12 percent and unfavorably by 7 percent. High percentages of voters hadn’t heard enough about Kasich or Portman to rate them.

While Voinovich is a nip and tuck battle in the poll with an unnamed Democratic opponent, he still was viewed favorably by 51 percent of voters compared to 31 percent who disapproved.

The contradictory results may indicate that voters are saying “he’s part of the past. We’re in the mood for something new,” said Brown.

The poll was taken Thursday, Dec, 4- Monday, Dec. 8 with 1,468 Ohio voters and has a margin of error of plus of minus 2.6 percentage points.