Gap widens in two polls: A labor coalition launches television ad campaign attacking Schwarzenegger.

Sacramento Bee ^ | 9/27/6 | Kevin Yamamura and Andy Furillo

[SmithL]

Heading into the final six weeks of the campaign, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger extended his lead over Democratic challenger Phil Angelides in two new public polls, showcasing the state treasurer's failure to gain traction against the incumbent Republican this summer.

The results came Tuesday as a powerful labor coalition sought to give a booster shot to Angelides' campaign by launching its first television ads this year attacking Schwarzenegger.

The latest Field Poll shows Schwarzenegger leading Angelides 44 percent to 34 percent among likely voters, a two-point increase since July. A Public Policy Institute of California survey shows Schwarzenegger leading 48 percent to 31 percent, a four-point increase since August.

While the increases are small, directors of the polls said the numbers reflect a yearlong trend of Angelides falling deeper behind Schwarzenegger. Even more striking, they said, was the fact that Angelides hasn't increased base support beyond roughly 60 percent of his own Democratic Party.

"He's made no headway in bringing those voters home," said Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo.

Capitol Democrats didn't help Angelides in that regard. Democratic lawmakers cut deals with Schwarzenegger in August, allowing the Republican governor to spend this month signing bills in elaborate bipartisan news conferences, such as one Monday on Sudan divestment that attracted activist movie stars George Clooney and Don Cheadle.

"I think Schwarzenegger is making it fairly difficult for Angelides by signing legislation passed by a Democratic-controlled Legislature on issues popular with Democrats," said PPIC Research Director Mark Baldassare. "It's never easy running against an incumbent in California, but I think Schwarzenegger has made it more difficult this year."

Angelides' campaign blamed his standing on a summer advertising deficit against Schwarzenegger and the state Republican Party. The California Democratic Party and Angelides also have aired ads but less frequently.

[SmithL]

Democrat Phil Angelides leaves an anti-war rally Tuesday at San Francisco State University. He said Sunday that if elected governor he would press President Bush to bring California National Guard troops home from Iraq.

[goldstategop]

Angelides hasn't helped his candidacy by moving over to the moonbat base of the Democratic Party.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus