SurveyUSA February 2008 Governor Approval Ratings

[Tender Branson]

They added Indiana and South Carolina to their polling:

AL - Riley (R): 69-29

CA - Schwarzenegger (R): 45-51

IN - Daniels (R): 45-48

IA - Culver (D): 48-49

KS - Sebelius (D): 67-29

KY - Beshear (D): 52-38

MA - Patrick (D): 47-45

MN - Pawlenty (R): 52-46

MO - Blunt (R): 42-54

NM - Richardson (D): 60-37

NY - Spitzer (D): 35-58

OH - Strickland (D): 51-40

OR - Kulongoski (D): 45-49

SC - Sanford (R): 61-33

VA - Kaine (D): 58-35

WA - Gregoire (D): 51-44

WI - Doyle (D): 46-50

http://www.surveyusa.com/50StateTracking.html

[Verily]

Oh, but Pawlenty's approval ratings are sky-high by default

Interesting, too, that Strickland seems to have faded, and Schwarzenegger as well (probably the latter as a result of endorsing McCain).

[AndrewTX]

Sanford is still lookin mighty fine.

   I wish they would get more ratings for other states.

[Sam Spade]

As should be noted from last night, the low Spitzer approval ratings aren't going to affect anything in NY just quite yet.  The earth shifts slowly in this area of the world.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Oh, but Pawlenty's approval ratings are sky-high by default

He just had his veto overridden and is backing GOP efforts to kick everyone Republican who voted to override it off their spots and remove the in the next election and has just admitted that he ran up a billion dollar deficit even though the official report isn't out until Thursday has come out saying it's going to be really bad. And I'm not even sure if the poll was taken before all that happened.

[Brittain33]

MN - Pawlenty (R): 52-46

WA - Gregoire (D): 51-44

This is an interesting perspective on the ideas that a) Pawlenty is a strong VP candidate for McCain who can help in the Midwest while b) Gregoire faces storm clouds for reelection.

What did Culver do?

[Hash]

What's with Schwarzenegger?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

a) Pawlenty is a strong VP candidate for McCain who can help in the Midwest

Only very delusional GOP hacks have bought into that.

What's with Schwarzenegger?

He's a crappy governor and was never popular and was only reelected because he faced a horrible, horrible opponent.

[12th Doctor]

Sanford is still lookin mighty fine.

   I wish they would get more ratings for other states.

That's because no one has looked into Sanford's past yet to see who doesn't have a home now because Sanford cooperated in giving them a bad mortgage.  You just wait.  Then it will be "OMG corruption" and "remember the Keating Five".

[Padfoot]

Oh, but Pawlenty's approval ratings are sky-high by default

Interesting, too, that Strickland seems to have faded, and Schwarzenegger as well (probably the latter as a result of endorsing McCain).

Strickland has not done very much since assuming office.  He let a strip-club law go into effect w/o his sig and he helped pass a measure which further locked up the Ohio Lottery's monopoly on gambling in state.  He's made little headway on his promises of major education reform and just recently it was revealed there would likely be a budget shortfall.  I have a feeling most people are still waiting for him to deliver something so those who are impatient have a negative view of him now.

[Verily]

What's with Schwarzenegger?

Californians were reminded that he was a Republican when he appeared with McCain. Whenever that happens, his approval rating drops.

[Eraserhead]

To paraphrase Baby Plucky:

"Spitzer go down the hole".

[Keystone Phil]

I strongly disapprove of Strickland. On the way to Iowa, we were caught in a rough snow storm. Road clearing crews on the Ohio Turnpike were absolutely terrible. Therefore, I blame Strickland.  

Bob Taft, however, might have had one good thing going for him. The rests stops that were built during his administration were definitley the best rest stops I've ever visited. These things were palaces.

Oh, and before anyone asks, yes, my opinion as a Pennsylvanian does matter.  

[HardRCafé]

Big drop for Culver.

[JSojourner]

I strongly disapprove of Strickland. On the way to Iowa, we were caught in a rough snow storm. Road clearing crews on the Ohio Turnpike were absolutely terrible. Therefore, I blame Strickland.  

Bob Taft, however, might have had one good thing going for him. The rests stops that were built during his administration were definitley the best rest stops I've ever visited. These things were palaces.

Oh, and before anyone asks, yes, my opinion as a Pennsylvania does matter.  

Phil,

The Ohio rest stops are beautiful -- especially the new ones along U.S. 30.  And each one has someone on duty there -- to shoo away creeps looking to hook up.  They also keep the place clean and neat.

Strickland has done fine.  As to Pennsylvania -- even though the toll increases are pissing me off (I drive the 'pike on business about four or five times a year) -- I cut Pennsylvania some slack because you have Starbucks on the Turnpike now!!!!  It got real nasty for awhile with that awful coffee from "Kings".  WTF??

[PBrunsel]

Governor Culver's rating are probably tied to his support for several new property taxes, a new tax on bottle and can deposits and his fight to raise the cigarette tax, which was pretty bitter.

To a lesser extent, there is some anger amongst Edwards Democrats (who are numerous in Iowa)  that he didn't come out and support their man in Iowa. I think Culver's backing would have done wonders for his Iowa campaign, especially in getting people to the polls.

I do not expect Governor Culver's ratings to stay low. I simply see that his "honeymoon" time is over and he's starting to be more harshly judged. In 2000-2002 Tom Vilsack had some low approval ratings, but he kept the state in the Democratic fold both in the 2000 Election and when he ran again in 2002. For 2010 I would bet on Culver for reelection, unless Jim Leach or Tom Latham decide to mount a race against him.