New poll shows Strickland up 25 points

From the Strickland campaign:

Columbus, Ohio - Ohio gubernatorial candidate Congressman Ted Strickland has extended his lead to 25 points over Republican nominee Ken Blackwell in an independent poll released this week.

Strickland's 57% to 32% lead in the new Rasmussen Reports poll is consistent with two recent non-partisan, independent polls which also indicate Strickland holds at least a 20-point lead over his opponent. An August SurveyUSA poll showed Strickland leading Blackwell by 22 points, 57 % to 35%. A Columbus Dispatch poll, conducted in July, also showed Strickland with a 20-point lead over his opponent, 47% to 27%.

"There is a hunger for change in Ohio and a strong distaste for Mr. Blackwell's divisive and negative politics," said Strickland Press Secretary Keith Dailey.

Republican voters continue to move away from Blackwell, as evidenced by his 59% support among Ohio Republican voters. Strickland, according to Rasmussen reports, "appeals to 88% of Democrats, and 55% of unaffiliated voters."

Rasmussen also notes the candidates' favorability ratings: "Blackwell is viewed unfavorably by 55%. More ominously, 35% view him “very” unfavorably, a four-point increase since last month."

Blackwell is viewed favorably by only 40% of survey respondents. By contrast, Strickland's favorability rating is 59%.

Rasmussen Reports is an independent public opinion polling and research firm that will be polling every U.S. Senate and Governors' race once per month throughout the year. The survey of 500 likely voters was conducted on August 22, 2006.

According to the Web site, Rasmussen Reports was the nation's only polling organization "to project both Bush and Kerry’s vote total within half a percentage point of the actual outcome" during the Presidential election.

For more information please visit: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/August%202006/ohioGovernor.htm