Passage of the latest two-year budget _ complete with a divisive racetrack slot machine plan, deep cuts to social programs, painful hospital and nursing home fee increases, and heavy use of one-time federal stimulus money _ left hardly anyone jumping for joy.

A story from the AP says, Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland made a controversial political reversal on video lottery terminals, and ruling Democrats still weren't able to avoid cuts to agency budgets that are expected to put up to 3,000 state employees out of work.

A handful of legislative Republicans had to associate themselves with expanded gambling, the rest forced to break with their leadership. And few constituencies _ aside from race track owners, and perhaps teachers' unions _ were left with the warm and fuzzy feeling that followed the 2007 "Kumbaya" budget vote.

In the budget's aftermath, everyone is vulnerable _ though Strickland was ultimately the worst hurt heading into the 2010 election.

Strickland's approval rating fell 11 percentage points as the budget debate raged in Columbus, according to one poll. Quinnipiac University reported 46 percent approved of the job he was doing heading into July, compared to 57 percent a month earlier.

And Strickland isn't the Democrats' only worry.