Dispatch Poll: Strickland ahead by 20

A statewide poll of 1,654 registered voters conducted by the Columbus Dispatch from July 11-20 showed that 47% of respondents planned to vote for Democratic gubenatorial nominee Ted Strickland, 27% planned to vote for Republican nominee Ken Blackwell, with the remaining 24% undecided.

The same poll also showed 45% of repondents planning to vote for Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Sherrod Brown, while 37% plan to vote for Republican incumbent Mike DeWine, and the remaining 17% are undecided.

Interesting facts uncovered by the survey:

• Only 53% of those who report voting for George W. Bush in 2004 plan to vote for Blackwell, whereas 66% plan to vote for Mike DeWine. Less than half of those who report voting for Bob Taft in 2002 plan to vote for Blackwell.
• Strickland carries every age group except for 18-24 where they are tied. Self-described independents favor Strickland by 33 points, however 38 % of these voters remain undecided.
• Brown is losing the 18-24 and 25-34 age groups to DeWine, but carries all other age groups. Self-described independents favor Brown by 15 points, however 32% of these voters remain undecided.

Meanwhile, according to the Rasmussen poll, President Bush's approval rating, which had crept back to 45% amidst good news out of Iraq, plunged 8 points to 37% in the wake of his veto of legislation authorizing federal funding for stem cell research. The percentage who stongly disapprove of Bush's performance has now risen to 42%.