O’Malley’s approval rating drops to 37%

Posted by Jeff Quinton on March 5, 2008

Governor Martin O’Malley’s approval ratings remain low, according to a new poll.

The poll by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategy found that 37 percent approve of the job the governor is doing, while 48 percent disapprove and 15 percent had no opinion.

That compares to 39 percent who approved of O’Malley’s job performance in a poll taken in January. In that poll, 49 percent disapproved, and 12 percent had no opinion.

O’Malley’s approval numbers took a dip after November’s special session, when $1.4 billion in tax increases were approved to address a $1.7 billion structural deficit.

The poll also found that 23 percent of voters said the economy is the most important issue facing Maryland now.

The poll also found that Democrat Barack Obama runs stronger against Republican John McCain in Maryland than Hillary Clinton. Obama led McCain 51 percent to 37 percent, compared to Clinton’s lead of 47 percent to 40 percent.