A Quinnipiac poll out today shows a relative rarity: a Democratic governor in a state with high unemployment and struggling economy who still has a healthy approval rating: “Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland’s job approval is up slightly to 48 – 42 percent from 46 – 42 percent July 3. The Democratic incumbent’s lead over John Kasich, a likely Republican challenger in the 2010 re-election campaign, is up from 43 – 38 percent to 46 – 36 percent. But voters disapprove 54 – 33 percent of the way Gov. Strickland is handling the state economy and disapprove 47 – 36 percent of his handling of the state budget.”

A short while back, I took a look at the approval ratings of many of the nation’s governors. A lot of them have approval ratings in the 30s and disapprovals in the 50s.

The latest poll in North Carolina puts Democratic Gov. Bev Purdue’s approval rating at 26 percent and her disapproval at 54 percent. Purdue isn’t up for reelection until 2012, though.

In Iowa, Democrat Chet Culver’s approval/disapproval split is at 36/51. In Washington, Christine Gregoire splits at 35/62. Her neighbor, Oregon’s Ted Kulongowski, is at 40/53.

In Wisconsin, Jim Doyle says he won’t seek a third term; his 33/62 split probably has something to do with it. In Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell’s term-limited, and his 32/54 split indicates he’s worn out his welcome.

Then, of course, there are the high-profile reviled state governors — New York’s David Paterson splits at 24/71, and Deval Patrick is at 19/77.

Arnold’s not eligible for another term, but he’s at 19 percent approval, 76 percent disapproval in California.

Obviously, this reflects a country that’s still in a deep recession, with unemployment climbing higher. But a lot of these governors facing massive budget crises, caused in part by state spending that assumed that the good times and high tax revenues would go on forever.