Governor losing approval

By Marc Kovac

The squabble over slot machines at race tracks is hurting Strickland’s image.

COLUMBUS — Ohioans don’t approve of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland’s handling of the economy or the budget, and many say he has not kept his campaign promises.

That’s according to a new poll released Friday by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, a Connecticut group that regularly gauges Ohioan’s opinions on political issues.

The institute surveyed 1,259 Ohioans over the past week, shortly after Strickland announced his proposal to allow slots at horse racing tracks.

Most (46 percent versus 42 percent) still approve of the job Strickland is doing, though the rating is down from 57 percent-29 percent from the institute’s May survey.

But 53 percent disapprove of his handling of the economy, 53 percent don’t like the way he’s handling the state budget, and 40 percent say he’s not keeping campaign promises.

“The lousy economy and its impact on any politician’s ability to deliver the goods have taken their toll on governors throughout the nation, and now Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is feeling the heat,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the institute, said in a statement released to the media. “In addition, the squabbling over the state budget has taken its toll on Strickland’s image, and that of the Legislature as well.”

He added, “Strickland’s extremely sharp drop-off in so short a time reflects growing public frustration. Voters don’t see the economy improving and have decided that after almost three years in office, they should start holding Ted Strickland at least partially responsible. The question now is whether this is the start of a larger move or just a temporary reaction. Is Strickland on the ropes or will he bounce back?”

Also according to the poll:

USixty-five percent support the governor’s proposal to allow slot machines at horse-racing tracks, versus 31 percent who do not. But a majority (84 percent-13 percent) think the issue should be decided by voters, not the Legislature.

UThose polled also support expanded legalized gambling in the state (60 percent-36 percent) and casinos in the state’s four largest cities (61 percent-35 percent).

UFifty-seven percent of those polled support pending state legislation that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Sixty percent also oppose same-sex marriages.