[Updated:] Ohioans support Strickland's education plan; overwhelmingly support Strickland over GOP

The Columbus Dispatch has the latest Quinnpiac poll shows generally good news for the Strickland Administration:

• Strickland crushes, crushes John Kasich 56% to 26%.  Kasich actually does worse against Governor Strickland than former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine who loses 54% to 32% in a head-to-head matchup.  This is probably largely due to DeWine's highly name recognition.  Regardless, both "top tier" GOP prospects aren't polling any better (one could argue worse) than Ken Blackwell's 2006 election result.
• Although a large segment of the respondents felt they didn't know enough about Governor Strickland's education reform plan, those who do feel they know enough support it.  42% believe it will improve education in Ohio; 22% do not.
• 51% of Ohioans support Strickland's proposal to extend the school year 20 days.  56% oppose Strickland's proposal to extend the school day, however.
• 62% support Strickland's proposal for all-day universal kindergarten.  Only 34% oppose it.
• Nearly 70% of Ohioans think that they'll have to pay higher taxes for Strickland's education proposal.  51% of Ohioans are ok with higher taxes for Strickland's education proposal.  A majority of Ohioans are okay to pay higher taxes if it means a better education system in Ohio even during one of the worst economies in modern history.

Strickland has seen an appreciable bounce in his favorability rating and approval rating since he announced his education plan.  60% of Ohians now hold a favorable opinion of Strickland; that's up thirteen points from 47% in December.  Strickland's unfavorability rating also dropped six points in that same time.  Neither Kasich or DeWine is viewed favorability by even half of Ohioans.

Strickland has a stunning 63% approval rating.  That's up nine points since December as well.  His disapproval rating has been flat since June stuck at 25%.  These are great trend lines unless you're John Kasich, Mike DeWine, or Kevin Coughlin.

Coughlin was tested in a three-way head-to-head(-to head) for the GOP primary.  Coughlin gets 3% of vote.  DeWine 37% to Kasich's 22%.  Coughlin is virtually unknown statewide.  Of those who know Coughlin, he has a 5% favorability rating to a 3% unfavorability rating.  In other words, there's a good chance that the more people get to know Coughlin, he's not going to get any more popular.

Kasich isn't going to run if DeWine announces unless he can convince the base that a potentially divisive primary won't hobble the eventual GOP nominee whomever he is.  Until DeWine says he's not interested or considering running for Governor in 2010, it's improper to call Kasich the frontrunner for the GOP nomination.

And Strickland is looking strong politically at an ideal time for him as considering candidates are getting close to decision time.

[UPDATE:]  Didn't take long.  The DeWine drum beat for a possible U.S. Senate or Gubernatorial bid is getting louder.