California Polling shows little to please Republicans in 2010

[steven johnson]

While Democratic margins are eroding around the country, the Republicans in California are not having a backlash against incumbents and they are not making inroads with younger voters.

Republicans had to look for a very long time at last week's Field Poll of California voters to find something remotely uplifting as they ponder the 2010 state elections. There it was, eventually: Against San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat running for governor, the assorted GOP candidates were losing by only single digits.

But they were losing to Newsom, a candidate who was behind in his own party's primary by 20 points and who had a net unfavorable rating among all voters questioned by the poll. Former governor and current Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown was clocking not only Newsom but also his potential GOP general election foes, each by more than 20 points.

Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, like Brown a longtime punching bag and fundraising tool to the Republican Party, was also running double digits ahead of her two potential Republican challengers in the 2010 race.

All told, even as Democrats find themselves on the defensive nationally, California inhabits a different political planet. There is no hint of a backlash against incumbents of the sort that Republicans nationally have hoped will help them gain seats in Congress and in statehouses. That is key in California, given the experience of the Democratic candidates and the neophyte nature of the biggest-named Republicans.



Polling shows little to please Republicans in 2010

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. good. Let the Arnold era come to an end.

[msongs]

2. arnold is termed out next year n newsome is an adulterer lol nt

[saltpoint]

3. The Pukes are in disarray and/or despair in several states.

Very good and encouraging news in recent polling from California.

I'm for Jerry Brown in that Democratic primary.

And Barbara Boxer is absolutely terrific. She'll crush silly Carly.