The results are in for the latest MSU-Billings poll, showing the approval rating for the Senior Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) has dropped substantially since 2007. 

Baucus' approval rating this year comes in at 44%, down from 64% two years ago. The Senator's latest approval rating comes in the middle of the national debate over healthcare reform, in which Baucus has played a key role as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

The poll also shows that while a percentage of those surveyed do not favor a public option, many respondents still feel Baucus is doing a good job with the issue.

Baucus spokesman Tyler Matsdorf said in response to the findings that, "Polls go up and polls go down. But, legislation is about doing what's right not just for the moment, but for years and generations down the road."

The poll also gauged the approval rating for the state's other top political office holders. First term Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) won a 56% approval rating, down just 1% from 2007. Representative  Denny Rehberg (R-MT) saw a 54% approval rating, down from 58% two years ago. And 62% of those surveyed approve of the job Governor. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) is doing, nearly identical to his approval rating from 2007.

The poll also touched on other Montana issues, including texting while driving, the state's ban on smoking in public places, and public hunting of wolves.

Results show that only 3% think texting while driving should be legal, compared to 90% who feel is should be illegal. Regarding Montana's ban on smoking in bars, restaurants, and casinos, 64% say their attendance at these establishments has remained the same, 20% say their attendance has increased since the ban, while 10% say the ban has decreased their attendance.  And asked if wolf hunting should be permitted in Montana, 75% reply yes, compared to just 17% who oppose the issue.

The MSU-Billings poll surveyed 414 Montanans in early November and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5%.