SurveyUSA's Approval Ratings for all 50 Governors

[Penndems]

http://www.surveyusa.com/50governorsrated051005.htm


Geez, look at Taft's numbers. He must be the most hated public official in Ohio.

Haley Barbour's at 37 percent approve, 55 percent DISAPPROVE. With numbers like that, I'm surprised he hasn't been run out of the state by now. ;)

Link:
http://www.surveyusa.com/home.html

Also at:
http://www.mydd.com/

[ThoughtCriminal]

1. I can't remember ever seeing numbers that low

For an elected official. Nixon was doing better than that the day he resigned.

[Penndems]

2. LOL, you're absolutely right

Taft's in real trouble in Ohio. There's like, what, six Dems running against him, and D.C. Political Report has Ohio "leaning Democratic". Looks like the GOP can't count on The Buckeye State's voting machines being rigged next time around.

Haley Barbour tanking in Mississippi: What can I say? He's Governor of a Republican state, and he's sinking like a stone.

[Dave Sund]

10. Taft

Isn't running. Blackwell is.

[Penndems]

11. Is Blackwell at the crux of Taft's low approvals?

If so, it would go a long way towards explaining why Taft's approval are in the commode.















(on edit: additional text)

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

14. The crux of Taft's low approval...

is that Bob Taft is an effin' moron.

He rode his family name to the governor's mansion, and it wasn't until then that people realized that he's completely clueless.

[Penndems]

15. Thanks, thought that might be the reason

Judging from the high unemployment rate in The Buckeye State, it would seem that he was either clueless or just doesn't give a damn.

[Doctor_J]

18. Whitewell will probably win comfortably

He delivered last November. He will be rewarded.

[Penndems]

21. Interesting slate of Dem candidates

Michael Coleman, Ted Strickland, Eric Fingerhut, Lee Fisher and . . . Jerry Springer?

Gotta be a winner in there somewhere!

[NEOBuckeye]

65. There was a time when I would have said 'Don't bet on it'

But in these days and times, with the Bush Bastards in control, nothing is sacred, and anything is possible. It would be deplorable that Ohio's first ever African-American Governor would end up being a slimy scoundrel like Kenneth Blackwell. However, I think Jim Petro still stands the best chance of emerging out of the GOP Primaries next year to face the Democratic nominee.

Ohio's Republicans are still pretty moderate, but the hate-filled, ignorant right-wing faction seems to be making significant gains on them lately. Who knows where it will end.

[Hippo_Tron]

25. self delete

[jojo54]

3. What surprises me is Dave Freudenthal of Wy

A Dem in a red state getting 67% approval. Damn!

I have 2 favorites, Ed Rendell who is 48 approve, 43 disapprove and Jennifer Grenholm of Michigan who is 36 approve and 57 disapprove. Now that's a little more believable, with a Dem governor in a red state.

[Penndems]

5. Freudenthal must be doing a hell of a job in Wyoming

to be able to appeal to both Dems AND Republicans in a heavily GOP state.

I'd like to see Ed Rendell's approval get above the 50% mark. He's one of my favorites, too - I worked on his campaign back in '03.

Jennifer Granholm's numbers are a shock. Thought she'd be doing better than this.








(on edit: typo)

[fujiyama]

43. I was also stunned by Granholm's numbers

The economy here though really is poor...One of the worst in the nation.

Still, the numbers are surprising because just about a year ago, the numbers were quite high.

I'd still say she has the upper hand in winning reelection in '06. I don't see the republicans finding a decent contender.

[Hippo_Tron]

23. I think that it's the backlash effect that keeps Freudenthal in office

From what I've heard he's pretty much a DINO anyway. The point is that the GOP has become so entrenched in states like Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, that the people finally want a change and elect a dem Gov. Lingle in Hawaii as well as Romney in Massachusetts are other good examples of this.

[Zomby Woof]

34. My parents campaigned for Freudenthal

When they lived in Wyoming (and yes, they are registered Dems). The thing about many Wyomingites is they respect straightforward leadership and integrity in their governors, no matter the party. He does what he says he will do, even if it risks pissing off the miners and ranchers.

On the national scale, it's because of those same damn miners and ranchers that Wyoming keeps putting asshole Repukes in power. But on the state level, somehow the people are more reasonable about who they elect. That could make for an interesting poli-sci project.

Om edit: the state and national votes differ most likely on issues. Wyoming Repukes buy into strong talk on defense/security, but meanwhile rake in big federal subsidies from Big Gummint. But statewide, there is an environmental backlash against the ranchers and miners. Freudenthal is NOT a DINO in this regard.

So it's not so surprising he is doing well.

[Penndems]

38. Kudos to your parents, Zomby!

Thanks for shedding light on this. I was wondering what the political thought processes of Wyoming voters was regarding their selection of Dave Freudenthal.

[Zomby Woof]

51. I am not sure I understand WYO GOP voters

Other than that most of them are of the usual knee-jerk libertarian "rugged individual" stripe. But they will reward hard work and someone who listens to them even if they disagree. On the state level anyway.

My parents are vociferously anti-GOP, anti-Bush, anti-Cheney, etc., and Fredenthal IS a moderate-centrist, but that is the best one can hope for in a very red state. He does have fairly decent environmental ideas which he is trying to get through. Otherwise, because Wyoming has so much land under federal ownership, a state governor has very limited power, even in regards to the environment and economy.

My folks have since left the state, by the way.

:hi: Penndems!

[Kal Belgarion]

4. Poor Pataki

Nobody likes him. No wonder he doesn't want to run for re-election again. :)

[Penndems]

6. Can you say, "Governor Spitzer"?

Seeing Pataki go down will be one of the highlights of Election Night.

[Kal Belgarion]

7. Indeed

I can't wait. The Repugs know that there's no one in the state that can beat a model Democrat like Spitzer. I can't wait until that man's our Governor.

It'll be so nice--Hillary, Chuck, and Spitzer. I love NY.

[Penndems]

8. Spitzer seems like a great guy

As honest as the days are long, that's for sure.

New York deserves better than Pataki.

[B0S0X87]

9. There's a surprising number of Dems in red states with high ratings

Freudenthal's at 67, Napolitano at 59, Schweitzer at 58, Henry at 59, Warner at 55, etc.

And wow, Taft must really suck!

[Penndems]

12. I'm thrilled about Mark Warner's rating

If he decides to run for the Senate, George Allen is toast.

How sweet it is! :toast: :bounce:

[nickshepDEM]

30. I wouldnt go that far. A recent poll showed Warner losing to Allen.

Anyway, Warner is running for president. At least I hope he is... ;)

[Penndems]

33. Check out Larry Sabato's website, Nick

"If Democratic Governor Mark Warner challenges one-term Republican Senator George Allen, Allen will have a very tough road to reelection. Warner is a popular Governor and he can self-finance. Should Warner not run, which is probable, Allen (and Warner) can devote their time and money to the 2008 race for President.

Yet it will be interesting to see if the Democrats can come up with a credible nominee against Allen--one that will keep him tied down to Virginia and spending at least a few million dollars of his war chest. There are some very interesting names circulating on the Democratic side, and Mark Warner, as the state's party leader, is doing his duty by lining up a strong surprise candidate should he himself not run. The race is a pure toss-up if Mark Warner runs. Otherwise, it leans Republican."

Link:
http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2006/senate/?state=VA

[nickshepDEM]

35. I agree with Sabato on some aspects of this race, but...

I gotta' give the edge to Allen. Warner and Allen are probably equally popular in Virginia, but in a state that obviously leans Republican you have to give the edge to Allen. Plus, Allen is a very strong campaigner. He was way behind Mary Sue Terry early in his Gubernatorial win, and he stormed back and killed her. Then he sliced and diced Chuck Robb. He is an electoral bad-ass. George Allen is one of the Republicans I fear most.

[Penndems]

37. Mary Sue Terry ran lousy campaigns

When she was running for Governor, her campaign wrote off Northern Virginia - the statement her manager gave to the DPVA was: "We don't need Northern Virginia to win. We'll do fine with turnout in the rest of the state." Just unbelievable!

I like Mary Sue personally, but saying that a race can be won in Virginia without winning the Virginia suburbs is downright delusional (and horrific campaign strategy).

[proud2BlibKansan]

22. Kansas

Sebelius is 54% approval.

[Hippo_Tron]

29. Too bad Taft isn't up for re-election

Kenneth blackwell is running for his position. I'd place that race as either second priority for 2006 or tied for first with unseating Rick Santorum.

[NEOBuckeye]

66. Blackwell won't have it as easy as you might think.

Most state-level Republicans actually despise Blackwell. Larry Householder, the former state Speaker of the House along with several other party members were actually planning to mount a multi-million dollar campaign against Blackwell to destroy his image last year, until his own scandals brought him under scrutiny. They had to back down, but I don't think their feelings towards him have changed. I see most of them backing Attorney General Jim Petro in the Primaries next year.

[Lindacooks]

13. That proves that Barbour's election was rigged.

[Penndems]

16. That's gotta be the reason

How in the world can a Republican tank that badly in a state that's as crimson as Mississippi?

[tritsofme]

17. Yeah that really does prove fraud

I guess my Dem governor in Illinois, Rod Blagojevich who has a 36% approval also rigged the election.

Especially since the polls trended toward Barbour as seen here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Congressional/Ms_Gov_03.html

Imagine, a Republican winning in Mississippi, there are no problems with the Democratic candidates or the message, he must have rigged it!

[Lindacooks]

39. My point is he won so easily, and nobody questioned it

and there were Diebold machines used in Mississippi.

And now he's so unpopular.

[fujiyama]

44. That still isn't proof

that it was rigged.

It just shows that one of the most economically backward states in the union is obviously frustrated with its far right racist piece of shit governor, but is willing to vote against its own interests because of cultural and race issues (Barbour won by exploiting these issues).

I'm not saying there may not have been fraud (I'm sure there was disenfranchisement of minorities), but this still isn't solid proof.

[BlueStateGirl]

19. Look at those Red states with Dem govenors.Montana, West VA,

Arizona, Tennesseee, Wyoming.

[Zomby Woof]

36. Arizona

Janet Napolitano is tough and doesn't take shit. Plus, the statehouse is evenly split on party lines in the Senate. She can get a lot done without too much obstruction.

AZ is not as red as its reputation (Clinton carried the state in '96), it's just fucking Maricopa County which concentrates the Repukes. Otherwise, it's a swing state. Kerry carried 67% of the county I lived in because of the high Navajo/Hopi population. That is partly how Clinton did well in '96, along with carrying much of the Hispanic vote.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

20. How did Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota get 54%?

:shrug:

My poor deluded state. :-(

[Penndems]

45. Lydia, here's your answer:

"Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty has had a reasonably successful first term, in part because he is business-like and he succeeded the irascible, chaotic, controversial independent, Jesse Ventura. The contrast has helped him to a solid position as frontrunner for a second term in '06. It is not clear whether any major Democrat will even run against him."

Source: University of Virginia, Center for Politics

Link:

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2006/governor/?state=MN

[CatholicEdHead]

64. Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch

is exptected to run against Pawlenty.

Pawlenty is just a smooth talker. He plays to the lowest common demonator.

He also knows if he breaks his "no-new taxes" pledge his national ambitions will be shot.

[GreenPartyVoter]

24. I don't think Baldacci will be back, but who knows. He's got time

to turn it around I suppose.

[high density]

42. I don't think he's going to be back, either

The main problem in my mind is the MaineCare disaster. It's not his fault personally but I wish they'd get their act together very soon.

[GreenPartyVoter]

46. Me too! We're on Medicaid for now.

[nickshepDEM]

26. Granholm's numbers are surprisingly low.

I thought she was extremley popular?

[Hippo_Tron]

27. Alright, now let's turn these low numbers into some GOP defeats

Barbour unfortunately isn't up till 2007, but there are quite a few R's on that list with low approval ratings who are up in 2006. Let's win the majority of Governorships in 2006.

[BlueStateGirl]

28. What's going on with Taft in Ohio? 19%???

[nickshepDEM]

31. He supported the biggest tax increase in state history...

And opposed a gay marriage ban.

[Penndems]

32. Ohio also has an unemployment rate of 6.3%, according to the BLS

That's certainly gotta be adding to Taft's woes.


Link: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/laus.pdf

[rexcat]

41. Its not just Taft...

the repukes control the House, the Senate and the Ohio Supreme Court, and as a matter of fact the entire judiciary. They have run the state down the toilet for the past 16 years. The right wing nuts in this state are getting bolder every day. They want to ban all abortions in the state, they passed the anti-gay constitutional amendment in the November 2004 election with an over whelming majority. Everything for the corporations, cut taxes and to hell with education. There have been many cuts in public education by the state. Here in Mason, OH the state has cut approx. $5 million a year for the school system and guess what? We just passed an huge increase in our property taxes for the school system. We are experiencing an increase of 650 kids a year into the school system for the past 5 years and the anti-tax repukes didn't want to increase the tax because we overpay our teachers and there is so much waste in the school system. Of course they fail to state that we in Mason pay less than the state average per pupil but we are ranked 7th academically in the state. Reality is not the repukes best subject! This state stinks...

Sorry for the rant but it is unbelievable here in Ohio!

[Penndems]

48. The state cuts funding for the education system and then raises taxes

to FUND schools? What the hell is WRONG with this picture?

Typical Republican mindset. Burn the village in order to save it!

[rexcat]

58. What is happening in Ohio...

is the state is cutting funding in education and that leaves the local districts to come up with the funding that was cut or cut the educational programs or busing or extracurricular activities, etc. The odd thing about Ohio is Taft and the repukes have increased taxes on several occasions. The conservative repukes in this state are a bunch of scum-sucking pigs.

[Penndems]

59. Any public servant who holds office, has half a brain

and a scintilla of common sense knows that if cuts have to be made, the last areas to take a hit are your essential services: Public safety and education.

If I lived in Ohio, I'd run every last one of this crowd out of the state, because it looks as if somebody's getting rich somewhere. They're driving Ohio right into the ground. What, if anything, have they possibly done to help make it better than they found it when Taft and Company were sworn in (a day, I'd be willing to bet, most Ohioans are living to regret)?

Time for new management, IMHO.

[rexcat]

67. Ohio is in worse shape

now than when the repukes took over 14-16 years ago. I am not surprised by this. It is a shame that the majority of Ohioans keep voting these repukes in office.

I leave in SW Ohio and it is unbelievable how ultra-right wing religious nut-cases these people are. These people don't know how to think for themselves.

[Jamison]

40. Missouri

25 Missouri Matt Blunt R 33% 57%

Jeez, I'm surprised he even has a 33% approval, this guy is atrocious. Oh well, hopefully he's just a one-termer.

[Solon]

47. He'll be a one termer...

Guarantee, with the cuts to Medicare and other shit he's pulled, a lot of people here (including me) are going to work hard to depose him.

[tishaLA]

49. Why are Rod Blagojevich's numbers so low?

I thought he was popular in Illinois.

[Norquist Nemesis]

50. He has a lot of scandal around him, for one thing

If you look in the Illinois forum, you'll see even several Dems that aren't too happy (and that's putting it mildly). I really, don't see that he's been a bad governor, personally.

But one thing to remember...Blago is the first Democrat elected as Governor in decades. I have to really think hard to remember who the last Democratic Governor was. Thompson was practically a dynasty and then Edgar after him. George Ryan was big in people FINALLY opening their eyes about the corrupt GOP. Nevertheless, except for Cook County, Illinois is still weighted toward the Republicans.

[SeekerofTruth]

52. I don't buy the results. Rod is fantastic!

Currently they may be low because he has Democrats and Republicans mad at him. However, he is considered fair and someone who sticks to his convictions.

I have many Republican friends who actually plan on voting for him in the next election. :-)

Rod for President! (Of course, you have to say Rod because Blagojevich is just to hard to say and remember how to spell!)

[laylah]

63. With all due respect

SeekerofTruth, Blago is a liar and a fraud. His administration is JUST as crooked as the day is long. Trust me! I know of what I speak.

Jenn

[deadparrot]

53. LMAO...look at our boy, Matt Blunt (MO)!

Wow. I'm happy now. I knew he wasn't popular...but wowza. :)

[Roland99]

54. Yay! We're #43! Woo hoo!

:eyes:

[XemaSab]

55. Most of these poll numbers are

shockingly low!

26 govs have approval ratings 50% or greater, but only 7 have approval ratings over 60%, while 13 have approval ratings under 40%.

Nice to see that Ahnold has an approval rating of 40%.

Apparently that 40% isn't aware of the fact that he pissed off the teachers and nurses and they give HUGE protests wherever he goes.

[B0S0X87]

56. I noticed that too

For some reason, I figured that people usually liked their state government more than the federal one.

[XemaSab]

60. People frequently

are less informed about the awful goings-on, at any rate.

[WI_DEM]

57. did you notice Arnolds????? 40% approve 56% disapprove

maybe we can take him out.

MY governor Doyle isn't doing too hot--41-49 approval.

[Cha]

61. What's Frank Murkowski

doing wrong in Alaska?:) R 27% 66%

I wish New Yorkers would have gotten on to pataki in 2002.

Does anyone know why they are so disenchanted with him now?

I've abhored him since 2000 when he was down in Florida, foaming at the mouth that we should stop counting the votes.

[POAS]

62. Hip Hip........... Mine is the worst

Ohio's Taft 19% approval.