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Patrick Loses Popularity Among Women

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Gov. Deval Patrick's popularity among women in Massachusetts has taken a nose dive.

According to a new Fast Track poll from Survey USA, Patrick's job approval rating has slumped to 47 percent, with 45 percent giving thumbs down to the governor's performance.

And women appear to be the most unhappy.

So what's driving the governor's popularity down?

That's the million dollar question the governor has to find answers to, and fast because nothing excites his political adversaries more than blood in the water. And because the WBZ-exclusive survey shows the erosion is happening among some of his most staunch supporters.

Patrick now has a rapidly eroding support among women, who were a key part of the coalition that swept him to power 16 months ago.

One year ago, a whopping 63 percent of women approved of Patrick's job performance. Even after his rocky start, that number was still a healthy 56 percent in October. But now it's down to an unhealthy 47 percent.

It's clear that Patrick's embrace of Obama, in a state where women overwhelmingly backed Hillary Clinton on Super Tuesday didn't sit well with some voters.

But the disenchantment runs deeper than presidential politics. Among the huge plurality of female and male voters who cite the economy as America's most pressing issues, Patrick's approval rating is a weak 40 percent, with the majority voicing disapproval.

It's a cliché, but it's also the truth. Politicians live and die by the economy they preside over, and fairly or not, the survey shows voters sending a message to Patrick – together we can get mad if we don't see some positive changes.

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