Boxer favored by 45% in poll (Field Poll alert)

SF Chronicle ^ | Oct 17, 2003 | Zachary Coile

[byteback]

California voters, who vented their anger at incumbent Gov. Gray Davis in last week's unprecedented recall election, still are inclined to re- elect Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer next year, a Field Poll released today shows.

The poll also shows few voters, even Republicans, have much of an opinion on the announced and rumored GOP challengers to the incumbent.

[byteback]

It's said that McClintock won't run because he's close friends with Tony Strickland. I'd like to see Dreier run with Arnold campaigning for him in ads. Boxer is beatable if we put up someone with a bit more charisma than Matt Fong.

It's yet to be seen if Bill Jones can overcome his party gaffe to be McCain's CA campaign chief.

[Impy]

Dreier may be the best candidate.


I really have hope we can take out this (w)itch.

[JohnnyZ]

It's said that McClintock won't run because he's close friends with Tony Strickland.

It's also said that McClintock won't run because he said he won't run.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Dreier may be the best candidate."

---

I agree, he'd be great, but I don't think he wants to give up his House chairmanship and seniority.

Has Rosario Marin actually done anything in the past 2 months? If she's serious about running, she has to start getting her name out.

[JohnnyZ]

Rosario's been going to GOP events around the state. Not a lot of press or attention paid recently, for obvious reasons.

[JohnnyZ]

Boxer holds slim edge as '04 Senate race nears
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1002880/posts

Cross-linking.

[BlackRazor]

Dreier may be the best candidate.

Dreier has already said he's not running.

[JohnnyZ]

Dreier has already said he's not running.

Has that been confirmed? I heard he said so on a radio show but it hasn't been reported in the press, bless their hearts.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Rosario's been going to GOP events around the state."

---

That's good to hear. Given the fact that no first-tier candidates are likely to run, she may be our best hope of beating Boxer. If Marin can get 40% of the Hispanic vote, and convinces Republicans that she's moderate-to-conservative, not a liberal, I think she'll beat Boxer.

[BlackRazor]

Has that been confirmed? I heard he said so on a radio show but it hasn't been reported in the press, bless their hearts.

Perhaps I shouldn't have made the statement as declaratively as I did! Like you, I've heard second-hand from a couple of people that Dreier announced he wasn't running for the Senate on Hugh Hewitt's radio show earlier this week. I have found no press confirmation of this, however.

[Brandon]

The survey found 45 percent of the state's registered voters were inclined to give Boxer a third term in the Senate, while 40 percent were not inclined to re-elect her if the election were held today. Fifteen percent of voters were undecided.

I'd say this is the meat of an article. In a poll by an organization that usual leans Democrats, which sampled registered voters (which usually overstates Democrat support), this two term Senator's re-elect number is under 50%, and has been since at least last spring. That's not good news for an incumbent. The numbers here aren't bad enough for Boxer to push the panic button, but I'd be looking over my shoulder if I were her. If the Cali GOP can settle on a strong candidate in a reasonably amicable way, she could have a fight on her hands.

[Clintonfatigued]

I have read that Rosario Marin is turning out to be a lackluster candidate. If so, she is not the one. I'm beginning to think conservatives should take their chances with Bill Jones. Jones has won two statewide elections in the passt.

[Pubbie]

I agree Jones is our only hope in California.

Fortunately Jones is heavily favored in Polls in the GOP primary.

[Impy]

How about Dennis Miller?

I can't decide if I'm serious or not. :-p

[jagrmeister]

I just don't think Jones is dynamic enough to court the independent vote. He's moderate but uninspiring. Marin could close the gender gap and could cut into the latino Democrat vote. If she's capable as a candidate, and that remains to be seen, she might be our best bet.