Rasmussen: CA Governor: Schwarzenegger Gains Ground (Leads Angelides 49-36% and Westly 48-40%)

Rasmussen Reports ^ | April 17, 2006

[RWR8189]

April 17, 2006--For the first time in Election 2006, Governor Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has opened a significant lead over his Democratic challengers.

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%.

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.

Angelides has also talked about possible tax increases. That is likely to hurt in a state where just 26% of voters believe tax hikes help the economy (42% believe they hurt the economy). Fifty-five percent (55%) of California voters say that preparing their taxes is worse than going to the dentist. Just 33% say a visit to the dental chair is more painful.

Another big issue of late has been immigration, although it's not clear how this will impact the race for Governor. Fifty-five percent (55%) of California voters say they are following the issue "very closely." Another 30% are following it "somewhat closely."

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members.

 

Like most states a majority of California voters (60%) believe that we should control our borders and enforce existing law before considering additional immigration reforms. A majority (58%) also supports a policy goal that would allow all to enter the nation except those who are national security threats, criminals, or are coming to live off the U.S. welfare system.

Just 33% of California voters believe that all illegal aliens should be forcibly required to leave the United States.

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.

Rasmussen Reports now releases data for a three-poll rolling average on our state election polls. Used in conjunction with individual survey results, this tool will help determine whether shifting poll results are due to changes in the race or are merely statistical noise.

The three-poll rolling average for February, March, and April shows Schwarzenegger leading both Democrats 44% to 40%.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members.

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.

The Rasmussen Reports ElectionEdge^TM Premium Service for Election 2006 offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a mid-term election. We update the President's Job Approval Ratings daily and are polling every Senate and Governor's race at least once a month in 2006.

Rasmussen Reports was the nation's most accurate polling firm during the Presidential election and the only one to project both Bush and Kerry's vote total within half a percentage point of the actual outcome.

During Election 2004, RasmussenReports.com was also the top-ranked public opinion research site on the web. We had twice as many visitors as our nearest competitor and nearly as many as all competitors combined.

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.

 

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Even if Arnold was a Corzine-like governor........a sorry chump......

the people of Caleeforneea would vote him back in because they all are enamored with celebrities.

[Anti-MSM]

I'm not a big Arnold fan, but compared to the alternatives, he's the best of the lot in CA this time around.

[Names Ash Housewares]

"I'm not a big Arnold fan, but compared to the alternatives, he's the best of the lot in CA this time around."

Pretty much the way I feel.

Arnold let us down in many ways. But not enough for me to vote for a democrat by any stretch or give the Unions the satisfaction of throwing him out.

[veronica]

Ha ha Zsa Zsa Huffington!

[dfwgator]

I think even though Arnold's initiatives didn't pass last time, a lot of people still admire him for at least trying.

[Chuzzlewit]

Time for the LA Slimes to start another campaign against him...arghhh....it's like a bad movie, when you can predict the next scene.

[Paul8148]

I think the fact the bond did not get on the June ballot and likely will be on the Nov is big, the idea is like 70% in the polls, I can't see it passing big and him not winning. Welsey might be harder to run agisnt.

[b9]

...not enough for me to vote for a democrat by any stretch or give the Unions the satisfaction of throwing him out.

good litmus ~
WWUH
What Would Unions Hate

[iPod Shuffle]

Surprising poll rebound, because there doesn't seem to have been any events or news that could have triggered it.

[ansel12]

For some reason I interpret this poll as very good news, much better than the numbers seem to indicate.

An Arnold victory is all a Republican can look forward to in California.

As long as he keeps a heartbeat alive, there is always hope for the party to crawl out of the grave.

[HHKrepublican_2]

What about Senor Antonio down in Los Angeles

[backtothestreets]

I see a new wrinkle to this race for governor. It's not a third party but something is evolving. Although Arnold Schwarzenegger is the presumed Republican nominee, there should be no doubt in mind of anyone that there is a large divide between Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Republican Party of California.

Of real interest to me are political ads being aired in support of Arnold Schwarzenegger. They've been running for months, and at great expense, but are not paid for by Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign, nor any Republican Party organization, nor any individual. They are paid for by the US Chamber of Commerce, which has both Democrats and Republicans within their organization membership.

Consider the sweeping public works proposals Governor Schwarzenegger put forth in his State of the State speech. While he delivered the speech I had the thought Arnold was listing his proposals in an effort to draw business leaders and union members away from the Democratic Party, AND connect better with Republican business leaders.

My gut feeling is that there is a genesis of something on the political horizon that is purely economic driven with little philosophical social content. Businesses and labor will place economic issues ahead of all else out of need to survive if the government is the primary generator of large contracts. Just my opinion.

[backtothestreets]

Surprising poll rebound, because there doesn't seem to have been any events or news that could have triggered it.

But there has been an event that was little understood. The Democratic controlled legislature has backed away from the massive infrastructure proposals put forth by Arnold which would have benifitted businesses and labor unions. Most notable is how strongly construction labor union members approved of the proposals the Governor made. In effect, he was luring union labor away from the Democratic Party with government money.

[iPod Shuffle]

Ahnold has often stated he has great admiration for Pat Brown, who oversaw massive public construction under his watch.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

compared to the alternatives, he's the best of the lot in CA this time around.

Sad but true.

[Christian4Bush]

What about Senor Antonio down in Los Angeles

What about Senor Villaraisetaxes? (like he's already considering with some hugh "trash fee" hike?)

I'd love to see the day this la Raza backin', illegal-lovin' mierda gets thrown out of office.

[BunnySlippers]

That's false. I'm not thrilled with Arnold ... but I'll vote for him because there is literally nothing else.

[Amerigomag]

A point to ponder.

While the legislature is Democrat controlled, bonding requires a super majority and the Democrats don't have that margin.

The only thing that stood between the deadly duo (Wilsonegger/Democrats) and the taxpayers wallets were Republican legislators.

Thank God for those Republicans in the legislature that haven't thrown in with the gang of 5.

[newzjunkey]

What's so bad about that? There's nothing wrong with investing in infrastructure. There's a lot needed in this state to avoid suffocating growth and to make all our lives a little easier instead of spending days out of the year on freeways.