Posted on 04/17/2006 1:52:38 PM PDT by 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 ElectionEdgeTM 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.
The Dems did have a debate, didn't they? Maybe people aren't like their competing to see who will raise taxes higher?
Better than the alternative.
Yep! But the Repellicans were too cowardly to allow any debate in their Party and that's what REALLY sucks!!!
I strongly agree with "backtothestreets" in the second line of his astute analysis in #13, above!!! And Amerigomag is right on the money in #19, above!!!
I haven't heard too many people mention this, but Arnold vetoed a bill the Dems. tried to pass to legalize homosexual marriage. Both Dem. candidates are on record as being in favor of homosexual marriage. Anybody against same-sex marriage, Arnold must get your vote. Of course the courts may impose it anyway, but Arnold is the only hope to stop it from getting through the legislature.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Correct, Arnold did veto the same sex marriage bill, but in so doing he didn't voice great personal opposition. Rather, he said it would be better left to the voters, and ultimately the courts.
Now, if you were to tell me he authored proposed legislation banning same sex marriage and sent it to the legislature for consideration, then I would feel some sense of conservative values coming from his office.
You're right Amerigomag. But something seems to be brewing in Arnold's camp. His proposals are intended to divide both major parties by drawing labor and business support. That's just my opinion, but Arnold seems to be keenly aware that this nation has moved from a consumer based economy to a government consumption economy. I'm just keeping an attentive eye and ear on him.
The problem is that there has already been taxes intended to "invest in infrastructure". It was looted away to buy votes with interest programs. For example, the lottery money was supposed to go for school infrastructure, but what it was really used for was to "free up" what was previously spent in school infrastructure to general funds. Net gain for infrastructure = 0.
All that will happen if this infrastructure bond measure passes is that the money now spent on infrastructure will be reallocated to pet projects, and the money from the bond will be taxed away from our kids with interest. The CA legislature will essentially shift the house payments to the credit card and spend the paycheck on cake and circuses, knowing they will be long gone when the credit card bill arrives.
No on taxes, No on bonds, No on a single additional cent to the State of California until I see some fiscal responsibility with the money they already receive.
It isn't on the horizon; it's here. There is an active movement to purge conservative ideology from the CAGOP in favor of get-power pragmatism. Nothin' personal, Baby. Jus' business.
You're not kidding! It's even infested FR... BIGTIME!!!
Just review some of the recent CA/Schwartzenegger threads!!!
Conservatives have been advising Freepers of this since May of 2003 when Schwarzenegger's candidacy was contemplated. Schwarzenegger is a liberal businessman trying to protect the business climate in California as an engine to drive social change.
Unfortunately many conservatives did and still do misunderstand this profound difference between Schwarzenegger and traditional Republican values. They interpreted his rhetoric as conservative because that's what they were desperate to hear in the face of the socialism that stormed the state after the 1998 election cycle.
Yes, the Wilsonegger gang understands the change in economic dynamics in the US. That's why fascism is beginning to appear in certain of their proposals because it better fits the government driven, rather than controlled, economic engine. If government is going to be the economic impetus of California's economy these businessmen will tolerate a fascists economic state where business benefits in conjunction with government.
Yep! - the Free Marxist Market freaks.
It sure has.
We seem to have taken on quite a heavy load of new party-above-principle Big Tent/RNC/CAGOP drones.
Most claiming to be conservatives, of course.
Best of the lot = least worse
My position as well.
...and to hell with the taxpayers.
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