Crist remains amazingly popular

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) remains shockingly popular despite the economic downturn that is dragging down other governors’ approval ratings, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.

A full two thirds of respondents approve of Crist’s job performance as governor while less than a quarter disapprove. These are Obama-like numbers or better.

But more impressive is Crist’s appeal across party lines. Two thirds of Democrats also approve of his performance and nearly seven in 10 independents also approve. More, fewer Democrats and independents disapprove of Crist’s performance than Republicans.

Much speculation currently surrounds whether Crist will run for reelection or retiring Sen. Mel Martinez’s (R) seat in the Senate next year. If he does run for reelection, it appears he has little to worry about. Almost six in 10 say he should be reelected, including more than half of Democrats. In fact, Democrats prefer Crist over a generic Democrat by a 54 percent to 24 percent margin.

There was a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percent in the poll.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-staging.thehill.com