COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A new statewide poll shows some Ohioans are losing faith in Governor Ted Strickland and growing frustrated with his leadership.
The Quinnipiac University poll, released Friday, shows 46 percent of Ohio voters approve of the job Governor Strickland is doing, while 42 percent are not satisfied.
Strickland's approval rating has dropped 11 points since May to its lowest level since February 2007, one month after he took office.
The poll also showed that more than half of Ohioans disapprove of Governor Strickland's handling of the economy and the state budget.
But the governor said he is not surprised.
"I would expect that," Strickland said. "I haven't seen those poll numbers, but I would be surprised if my numbers were not down because these are difficult times. People are experiencing difficult
circumstances."
In downtown Columbus Friday, many voters had no problem placing blame with the governor for the state's budget woes.
"It's very much his fault," Cleveland resident Dan Karliak said. "He's the governor. He's in charge. He should be fiscally responsible, and he's not being responsible."
"I just don't care for where he's making his cuts. Why do they always pick the people that can least afford to have their programs cut," Columbus resident Cherie Arnold said.
But for all of his detractors, defenders such as Westerville resident John Leichtnam stood up to label Strickland as a victim of circumstances.
"You can't blame the governor. All this stuff has been handed to him," Leichtnam said. "He's doing the best he can with what little he has to work with. You've got to blame the prior administrations and the
economy."
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement