"I think Tom will do the right thing and drop out. It's just a matter of time"
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It better be soon. Here is this latest really disturbing poll:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/969445/posts "Bustamante enjoys the support of 35% of likely voters, the poll found.
Schwarzenegger received 22% support, followed by three fellow Republicans: state Sen. Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks with 12%, businessman Peter V. Ueberroth with 7% and Bill Simon Jr. — the GOP's 2002 gubernatorial nominee — with 6%."
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In other words:
1. The Republican leader is unquestionably Arnold, with other Republicans far behind -- McClintock got half of the votes Arnold got, the rest got less.
2. If all Republicans would unite behind the Republican frontrunner: Arnold, he could beat Bustamante, getting 47% of the votes to Bustamante's 35%. 3. But if Republicans stay fractured, there is no way Arnold can beat Bustamante, and better get used to saying: Governor Bustamante.
One question to ask in the polls, which no doubt some clever soul is asking, is:
"If you plan to vote for a Republican on election day, and one of the Republican candidates is the clear leader, but will lose if the Republican vote is split, will you vote for the Republican candidate of your choice or for the leading Republican candidate?"
I'm guessing most will vote for the leading Republican candidate. So the polls are useful, but most useful is the answer to the above question. Of course, as candidates drop out, they help elect a Republican governor.