A year ago, polls in California showed a close race if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger chose to challenge Barbara Boxer for her U.S. Senate seat.
A new Field Poll (PDF file) today, though, shows how much damage has been done to the erstwhile Terminator’s hopes by that state’s ongoing deficit crisis — which Arnold had been dancing around for years, until the current recession caused it to blow up in his face.
Leading 44-43 in an October 2007 snapshot, Schwarzenegger now trails Boxer 54-30 percent in a head-to-head matchup (with 16 percent undecided). Similarly, Boxer wallops ex-Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina in a two-way race, 55-25 percent (with 20 percent undecided).
For reasons that are probably not unrelated, neither Fiorina nor Schwarzenegger has strong backing from California Republicans — in a prospective primary contest, Arnold leads 31-24 percent, with 36 percent undecided. (With the governor out of the race, Fiorina’s support only rises to 31 percent, with 50 percent undecided). In CA as in the rest of the country, the GOP is a party out of ideas and overloaded with personalities whose schtick no longer sells.
As a Californian who was sickened by Schwarzenegger’s ability to leverage his movie stardom into the governor’s mansion (the same way a lesser celebrity might trade on their fame to get a reality TV show), I couldn’t be happier.



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If you’re happy, we’re all happy, Swopa!
Not only the party of no new ideas, but the party of contempt by every definition.
Don’t tell me that. The pressure of everyone’s happiness riding on mine makes me unhappy.
:)
Well, if you’re not happy, then I’m not happy
Altho no ”Senator Schwarzenegger” does make me ecstatic.
I think we should recall him.. on principle.
Tragic Termination to Terminator.
Thank all the forgotten gods and goddesses. Arnold replace la Boxer? AVERT!
I think his shirt says “Acapulco Gold is Numero Uno”.
Dugg right here!
Thanks, Swopa — I too am happy to see Arnold’s new career collapse in a Terminator heap
I saw something earlier this week or last week that Carly just had surgery for breast cancer. I’d imagine she’ll be concentrating on her treatment rather than undertaking the stress of a statewide political campaign.
Wasn’t the first celebrity politician from California? George Murphy, Senate, 1964. After that came little lady Fauntleroy herself, Shirley Temple. I think publicity trumps politics in California. In fact, the first broadcast sleaze campaign happened right here in our state. The Repugnants defeated Upton Sinclair, the Demoicratic nominee, in 1934, although he began with a huge lead over his unknown opponent.
Schwarzenegger’s evil wingnut agenda helped destroy California.
California Assembly Budget Chair John Laird Sees Republican Obstructionism in Tuesday’s Special Session Budget Vote
But when the time came for cooperation, Republicans voted no, choosing obstructionism over compromise and leaving Californians holding the bag.
Governor Schwarzenegger, failing to bring a single vote from his own party, let obstructionism trump leadership.”
http://www.californiaprogressr…..se_34.html
I second or turd that emotion.. I have thought his brains were as dense as his muscles back when he was part of the recall of Grey Davis. He should stick to lifting weights in the gym and stop screwing the Californian people for the benefit of the rich and big corporate interests!! He is almost as bad as Shrub!!
Fiorina could only be elected senator in a state where none of the population has ever worked for HP, and California ain’t it.
Arnie isn’t so bad. He’s quite liberal on many issues.
But remember this from Arnie during the 2004: