Warning signs for Democrats in Ohio

For the first time, President Obama holds a net disapproval rating in the battleground state of Ohio, according to a new Quinnipiac poll. Half of the state's voters disapprove of the president's job performance, while 45 percent approve.

A 53 percent majority said they disapproved of Obama's handling of the economy, while 57 percent said they disapproved of his handling of health care. Voters are now split at 40 percent on whether Obama or Congressional Republicans are doing a better job dealing with health care.

Those numbers should send shivers down the spines of statewide Democratic candidates, who have a lot at stake in next year's midterm elections. Gov. Ted Strickland is up for re-election, and the once-popular governor has seen his popularity crater as he faces a tough race against Republican John Kasich.

There's an open-seat Senate race, pitting Rob Portman against either lieutenant governor Lee Fisher or Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. The poll shows Portman with an early lead over his Democratic opponents and, equally important, he holds a significant financial edge over them as well.

And as many as four House Democrats - all freshman and second-term members - face the prospect of difficult re-election campaigns. Reps. Zack Space (D-Ohio), John Boccieri (D-Ohio), Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio), and Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Ohio) all are facing strong Republican challengers.

Obama's popularity is critical to the hopes of these down-ballot Democrats - particularly, in selling a skeptical public on his health care legislation and ability to restore confidence on the economy.

Obama was the first Democratic presidential nominee to win a majority of the vote in Ohio since 1964, and his popularity helped the party pick up three House seats in the state last year.

But with unemployment in the state hitting double-digits and economic anxiety running high, voters look like they're feeling some buyer's remorse. Obama has a year to make his case, but if his Buckeye State approval remains below 50 percent, it could be a rough Election Night for Ohio Democrats in 2010.

Posted by Josh Kraushaar 01:03 PM