The storm clouds over Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell are darkening.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named McDonnell one of the worst governors in the country, mostly because of the huge ethics investigation he’s facing. McDonnell was named a “ringmaster” governor, as opposed to a “clown” or “sideshow,” along with Nathan Deal of Georgia, Paul LePage of Maine, Rick Perry of Texas, Rick Scott of Florida and Scott Walker of Wisconsin. All six are Republicans, as are most governors on the entire list, though it does include a few Democrats.

CREW, a nonpartisan organization that Roll Call accused of being liberal, objects to McDonnell’s cozy relationship with Star Scientific Inc. chief executive Jonnie R. Williams Sr., who reportedly helped pay for two of McDonnell’s daughters’ weddings and provided his wife with a fancy shopping trip. Williams also reportedly gave a $50,000 check to Maureen McDonnell, who arranged a meeting with Williams and the Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources so he could pitch his dietary supplement.

CREW also noted McDonnell’s use of taxpayer funds to keep the training camp of the Washington football team, which has provided the governor with thousands of dollars in gifts, in Virginia, and his signing into law a voter ID bill.

There’s more bad news. Public Policy Polling released a survey Monday showing McDonnell’s approval rating has dipped to 36 percent. A new Quinnipiac University poll places that number at 46 percent, three points lower than it was in May.

Here’s the silver lining: Only 35 percent of voters who responded to PPP’s poll think McDonnell should resign. Included in this group Del. Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax) and state Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) , who have both called on McDonnell to step down.

Remember when McDonnell was going to be the next president?