Field Poll: Feinstein way out in front

Sacramento Bee ^ | 8/3/6 | Judy Lin

[SmithL]

Senator leads GOP challenger Richard Mountjoy 56% to 34% in her re-election bid.

A new poll shows Dianne Feinstein enjoying a comfortable lead over her Republican challenger in her Nov. 7 re-election bid for U.S. Senate.

Feinstein leads 56 percent to 34 percent over former state Sen. Richard Mountjoy, according to Tuesday's Field Poll.

"Whenever an incumbent is above 50 percent in a re-election poll, the general consensus is that the seat is fairly safe," said Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo.

"It's more a yes-no vote on the incumbent than anything else."

The incumbent holds a positive rating heading into her fourth race for the seat.

Sixty percent of likely voters have a favorable view of Feinstein, while 62 percent have no opinion on Mountjoy.

Mountjoy, now an immigration control consultant, will need to raise his visibility -- a tall order compared to Feinstein's campaign coffer, DiCamillo said.

According to Federal Election Commission disclosure reports, Mountjoy had just $21,000 in cash on hand as of June 30, compared with $8 million for Feinstein.

"How do you deal with someone who is so popular?" DiCamillo said.

"Voters will have to get to know who you are, but it's also having to persuade them not to vote for the incumbent. Why should there be change when most are content with the status quo?"

Feinstein gets her lead largely from strong Democratic support -- 85 percent of her party's voters support her. DiCamillo said she is the most popular elected official in California.

[SmithL]

[EagleUSA]

The loons of the left keep supporting the loons of the left...

[Michael.SF.]

I try to pay attention to politics in my own state, but to be honest, Mountjoy has been virtually invisible.

[edcoil]

Here in California I believe you will find that most of the GOP leadership are ex-democrats. That is why we have no GOP leadership here.

The left runs both parties.

[dead]

She's entertaining at least. She's about two IQ points above orangutan, and she's considered brainy by the left.

[PLOM...NOT!]

Damn, at first glance I thought it said Feinstein on her way out. Need to adjust my rose colored glasses.

[no dems]

This is "News"?

[bordergal]

Where's the RNC and their deep coffers? Where's the support from his fellow republicans in-state?
The Republican Party is giving this state away.

[SF Republican]

Feinstein is a good Senator; she blovates but she is not a loon in the Boxer / Pelosi mold by any stretch. That is the reason for her high numbers.

[Bigh4u2]

""It's more a yes-no vote on the incumbent than anything else."

This is one of the stupidest statements I have ever read.

If it's a 'yes' vote, then she wins.

If it's a 'no' vote the she LOSES!

[italianquaker]

Like there doing in Florida

[Hugin]

I didn't even realize Feinstein was up for election, let alone there was a Republican nominee running against her. Invisilbe, yes.

[bordergal]

She voted for SB 2611. That puts her in the same league as Boxer and Pelosi.

[Hugin]

Feinstein is a good Senator

Good? Not if you care about the Second Ammendment.

[Fishrrman]

A new poll shows Dianne Feinstein enjoying a comfortable lead over her Republican challenger in her Nov. 7 re-election bid for U.S. Senate.

This is "dog bites man" news in California.

I would daresay there may never be a Republican senator from California again, and few, if any, statewide elected officials from the ranks of Republicans. Some representatives, yes - at least, for a while yet.

Governor Arnold was an anamoly - elected by the strength of his personality, not his party affiliation. There may never be a Republican governor of California again.

If there is one, THAT will be "news"; news, a la "man bites dog" insofar as California is concerned.

California is lost - Atzlan in waiting...

- John

[Redleg Duke]

Californicatia has been occupied by the brain dead for years. It is only a matter of time before the proponents of Aztalan take over. Then the brain dead will squeal like stuck pigs, which is exactly what they will be.

[SmithL]

She believes in the right to own guns.

At least, for herself.

[calcowgirl]

[SF Republican]

Any time someone indicates a Senator voted for one bill and thus they don't care for them it is a little much for me personally. I know these people represent 27 million people and they cannot make everyone happy all of the time. I take a grain of salt with most politicians, she is my Senator and I will vote for her again, she has more pluses than minuses in my book.

[calcowgirl]

Here in California I believe you will find that most of the GOP leadership are ex-democrats. That is why we have no GOP leadership here. The left runs both parties.

Bump!