Cross-posted from Calitics . If you enjoy talking about California politics, check us out.
You think he's back on the Roids? Rasmussen Reports has their monthly poll on the California governor's race out:
The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in California shows Schwarzenegger leading State Treasurer Phil Angelides (D) by double digits, 49% to 36%. The candidates had been neck-and-neck in our previous polls.
The Governor leads State Comptroller Steve Westly (D) 48% to 40%. Schwarzenegger and Westly were essentially even in March. In February, Schwarzenegger led Westly 39% to 34%.(Rasmussen 4/17/06)
More on the flip...
The pollsters at Rasmussen seem a little surprised by their own data:
It remains to be seen whether the Governor's lead in this poll represents a lasting change in the dynamic of the race or is just a temporary phenomenon.
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This is the first Rasmussen Reports election poll of the season in California where the incumbent has come even close to the 50% level of support. Typically, incumbents who poll below 50% are considered vulnerable.
Since March, both Angelides and Westly have lost a bit of ground among fellow Democrats. This may be the result of an increasingly heated Primary competition.
Rasmussen doesn't do a poll for the primary itself, so we don't have any additional news on that. However, the general dem candidate vs. Schwarzenegger is losing 40-44% as a three month average. Rasmussen has a pretty good history in the last few years, but the Field Poll is still the gold standard. Plus, Rasmussen is a Republican, so maybe a grain of salt there too.
Right now the Dems are dealing blows to each other. Once name recognition increases and there is finality, Arnold's numbers will be depressed. If there's anything that was proven from the special election, it's that Arnold can be successfully villified to such an extent that he can be marginilized. As John Paul Jones said, "We have not yet begun to fight"