Culver,whose job approval rating is in the tank like other governors wrestling with big budget problems, loses one out of five Democrats to Branstand. Fifty-eight percent of independents back the former four-term governor, while he and Culver run almost evenly among moderates.

Another hopeful for the GOP nomination, businessman Bob Vander Plaats, also leads Culver, 45 percent to 37 percent. Vander Plaats ran unsuccessfully for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2002 and then made another try in 2006, but dropped out to become the running-mate to former Rep. Jim Nussle, whose campaign was much better-funded.

Culver does prevail over two lesser know Republicans. He beats state Rep. Christopher Rants 42 percent to 35 percent and businessman Christian Fong, 42 percent to 34 percent.

Forty-nine percent disapprove of the job Culver is doing compared to 40 percent who approve with 11 percent undecided. The Register says this is a 10 point drop since September. Fifty percent of Iowans don't think Culver is doing a good job of improving the business climate in the state, compared to 37 percent who do, while 54 percent disapproving with his handling of the state budget compared to 34 percent who give him positive marks.

Sixty-percent of Iowas view Branstad favorably, which is ironic since he was the last governor to have approval marks as low as Culver when only 37 percent approved of his performance in 1992. Just as Culver is doing now, Branstad was wrestling with the effects of a recession and a budget crisis.

Fifty-seven percent believe the state is moving in the wrong direction compared to 34 percent who say it is on the right track.