Bush, Wall Street rank as top sources of blame for poor economy, poll finds

By WILLIAM HERSHEY

COLUMBUS — There’s a simple reason why a majority of likely voters – 52 percent – say the state’s dormant economy will be the No. 1 issue in how they vote for governor.

The job losses, declining sales and wages and budget cuts that have become part of the state’s economic landscape have affected them personally.

The Friday report that state employment rose to 10.9 percent in December – up from 10.6 in November and the ninth straight month of double-digit unemployment – was another sign that tough times persist.

Voters don’t agree on whom or what to blame. The economic setbacks, however, have taken the glow off Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland’s political appeal. He won election with nearly 61 percent of the vote in 2006 but now trails Republican John Kasich, 51-45 percent in the new poll.

Here are key findings in a Vindicator/Ohio Newspaper Poll on the economy and its relationship to the governor’s race:

U Strickland’s approval rating stands at 50 percent, while 45 percent disapprove. On his handling of the economy, 54 percent disapprove while 42 percent approve.

U Just 31 percent said a governor has “a great deal of influence” over day-to-day economic conditions, while 55 percent said a governor has “some” influence, 12 percent said “not much” and 2 percent said “no influence at all.”

U Not many people believe things are improving. Forty-seven percent said their standard of living is “worse” than it was four years ago, while 44 percent said it’s about the same. Meanwhile, 60 percent said they expect their family finances to be “about the same” a year from now while 19 percent said they’ll be “worse off.” Only 19 percent said they’ll be “better off.”

U A large majority rated the state’s economic conditions as either “fair” (47 percent) or “poor” (46 percent). And 58 percent said those conditions are getting worse.