U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is the early favorite on the Democratic side of the 2010 race for governor, and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman is attracting attention in a likely battle for the GOP nomination, a new Field Poll shows. Posted on 11/12/2008 8:02:56 AM PST by SmithL
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is the early favorite on the Democratic side of the 2010 race for governor, and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman is attracting attention in a likely battle for the GOP nomination, a new Field Poll shows.
The survey, which was taken before last week's election and lists the favorability ratings of possible candidates to succeed Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, "is a little teaser for when we start to look closer at the governor's race next year," said Mark DiCamillo, the poll's director.
Many California voters aren't ready to shift their attention to an election that is more than 18 months away, but the fall campaign already has had an effect on San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose opposition to the same-sex marriage ban apparently hurt his statewide standing, according to the survey.
On the GOP side, more than two-thirds of registered voters have no opinion about Whitman, former San Jose Rep. Tom Campbell or state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.
"It's basically a level playing field for all of them," DiCamillo said.
Still, Whitman's 17 percent favorable rating among all voters was better than either of the other two Republican hopefuls, and her 23 percent favorable mark and 9 percent unfavorable rating among Republicans topped Campbell and Poizner.
Whitman has made a meteoric rise in GOP political circles. Virtually unknown to the party before she retired from eBay last year, she quickly became a top economic adviser to Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and then to Arizona Sen. John McCain, the party's nominee. She traveled extensively with McCain and was touted as a possible Treasury secretary if he had won.
But Whitman's not saying if she's in the race for governor.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Feinstein will be 77 years old in 2010. During the campaign McCain was always referred to as “the 72 year old senator,” but I highly doubt you’ll ever hear anything about her age other than something about “her vast experience.”
Meg Whitman is a Republican? How could they tell?
Last thing I heard Campbell was a squish at best. The story says Poisner (sp?) is no good. All I know about Whitman is that she is a businesswoman and a Romney supporter. Does that mean she is the best candidate?
If she leans left and is unelectable, she will be touted as the GOP's shining star.
A Conservative would have to run on his/her own, the GOP doesn't support Conservatives.
The Republican Party's strategy is snaching defeat out of the jaws of victory.
Her support of RINO Romney is telling.
You can wish for a conservative to run all you want,
it will only guarantee a loss.
Recall the candiacy of Bruce Herschensohn...
A Pox on both parties and their ‘rich’ tendencies.
Disagree with him or no, if you wanted a guy who will deal honestly with the budget and listen carefully to input, Campbell is good for that. I have dealt with the guy before in extensive exchanges. He is intelligent, open, and honest. That's a lot more than we've had for a very long time. He may be the best Republican that could get elected in California.
Yes, Herschensoln lost to Boxer. An October Surprise that placed him in a strip club had a negative effect on the outcome.
Of course it was never mentioned the stripper he was tucking money into the underwear of was in fact Barbara Boxer...
All seriousness aside, Reagan ran as a conservative and a guaranteed loss didn't happen.
Yes, I agree. The GOP will make sure a conservative doesn't win or even run on their ticket.
Maybe a Kennedy (R) like Arnold but not a (C)
Judge Bork.
Sen. Jim DeMint
Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Rep. Pete Hoekstra
Rep Lamar Smith
Vatican Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon
Ann Coulter
Dr. James Wilke
Wendy Long
etc.
But anyone can be wrong once in a while.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.