Another Fitzmas Present From Zogby: Enjoy!

California
Governor
Angelides (D) 49%
Schwarzenegger* (R) 41%
Governor
Beatty (D) 44%
Schwarzenegger* (R) 40%
Governor
Reiner (D) 47%
Schwarzenegger* (R) 41%
Governor
Westly (D) 45%
Schwarzenegger* (R) 41%
Source: Zogby Interactive survey of 1486 likely voters statewide, conducted Sept. 16-21, 2005. MOE +/- 2.6
percentage points
California’s fickle electorate seems disenchanted with the man that voters put in office
after removing Democratic Governor Grey Davis in a statewide recall. When Republican
bodybuilder-turned-actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected to
replace Davis during the state’s recall election, he commanded large levels of public
support in opinion polls. Since then, that support has eroded, leaving him vulnerable to
challenge from any quarter, and stuck at about 41% in any face-off.
Democrat Phil Angelides, the state treasurer, leads Schwarzenegger by eight points in the
Golden State. State Controller Steve Westly, a one-time executive at eBay, leads
Schwarzenegger by four points.
But the depth of Schwarzenegger’s sudden political peril is revealed by the strength of
potential novelty candidates and avowed liberals Warren Beatty and Rob Reiner. Beatty,
known for screen roles in Reds and Dick Tracy, leads Schwarzenegger by four points,
while Reiner, best-remembered as “Meathead” on Norman Lear’s All in the Family, leads
by six.