It's becoming a more common story across the country: governors forced to make unpopular budget decisions taking a hit in the polls. Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio) is today's example, as a new Quinnipiac Poll shows his approval ratings continuing to drop and Republicans neck-and-neck in 2010 matchups.

Strickland Job Performance
Approve 46 (-11 from May)
Disapprove 42 (+13)

Strickland's approval rating was as high as 63 percent just five months ago. His favorability number has also slipped, from a net +28 (53/25) to +5 (42/37) since May. Only 33 percent of voters approve of his handling of the economy, with 53 percent disapproving, and 32 percent approve of his handling of the state budget. But voters do support his proposed fix for the state budget, legalizing casino gambling, 60-36 percent.

At this point, former Rep. John Kasich is the only Republican in the race to challenge him. Quinnipiac also polls a potential matchup with former Sen. Mike DeWine.

General Election Matchups
Strickland 43 (-8 from May)
Kasich 38 (+6)
Undecided 16 (unch)

Strickland 41 (-7)
DeWine 40 (+4)
Undecided 15 (+1)

Kasich now leads a potential Republican primary race over DeWine 35-32. DeWine had lead 35-23 in May, before Kasich kicked off his campaign.

The telephone survey of 1,259 voters was conducted June 26-July 1, and had a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent.