He began the year with a mere four-point advantage.

By late August, though, Democratic Congressman Ted Strickland had carved out a twenty-five point lead over Republican Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. Strickland's current lead of 54% to 35% is a bit slimmer, but still very solid (see crosstabs).

Despite the races ups and downs, the year's overall trend has clearly favored Strickland, who has perched at 50% support or higher since March. Meanwhile, Blackwell has yet to reach 40%. This is the seventh consecutive Rasmussen Reports poll showing Strickland with a double-digit lead. (The Democrat in Ohio's competitive Senate race also has the edge, but by a smaller margin.)

Strickland continues to do better with Democrats than Blackwell does with Republicans, and to draw far more support than Blackwell from unaffiliated voters and moderates. Fifteen percent (15%) of Republicans—some doubtless fed up with the state's scandal-plagued GOP establishment, headed by a wildly unpopular incumbent Governor—prefer the Democrat. And 9% of Republicans, the largest proportion of any group, are still undecided.

At 42%, President Bush's uninspiring job approval rating is close to what it is nationally. While 23% "strongly approve" of how he's doing his job, 47% "strongly disapprove." That can't be helping feelings about the GOP here.

Even more depressing for the GOP are the ratings for the current Governor. Just 5% Strongly Approve of Bob Taft’s performance while 53% Strongly Disapprove.

Still, only 12% of Ohio voters (and only 5% of Republicans) regard political corruption as their top election issue. Thirty-one percent (31%) of all voters say it's the economy, which doesn't help Republican prospects either.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members.