California

CA GOP Dubs Self 'Party Of Yes', Then Calls For Vote Of 'No'

Igor Bobic | May 4, 2012, 1:01PM

California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro

The California Republican Party, dubbed the "Party of No" for years by Democratic lawmakers, sought to rebrand its image at a Thursday press conference in Sacramento by calling themselves the "Party of Yes."

"So often, we have to rely on others to say what we believe and who we are and what we think," Assembly Minority Leader Connie Conway said, reports Southern California Public Radio. "And I always prefer to do that for myself."

The press conference kicked off a statewide tour ahead of next month's GOP primary as well as a push to counter a new $9 billion tax initiative, backed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D), which is intended to help close California's notorious budget deficit. Republican lawmakers appeared before a "Party of Yes" banner (image here) and touted their affirmative support for jobs, fiscal responsibility and tax relief, but then called for a "no" vote on the new tax measure.

"Jerry Brown is turning in his signatures as we speak to make that (top tax rate) the highest rate in the country," said California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro of the initiative, the Sacramento Bee reports. "We think that's the wrong way to go."

To their credit, however, California's Republicans haven't always said "no" to everything. Back in February, they turned the tables on Democrats and supported Brown's 12-point plan to overhaul public pensions -- a key Democratic interest.

2010 elections

TPM Approves These Messages: Five Great Ads Of 2010 (VIDEOS)

Eric Kleefeld | December 31, 2010, 3:07PM

With the year 2010 coming to a close, and a truly raucous election season behind us (and another set to begin), let's take a look at a real highlight of the cycle: A sampling, even just a small one, of some great campaign ads we got to see over the past year.

Unlike some of our other lists, we're not talking about a mix of great ads and awful ones that took on a kitsch value. (I'm looking in your direction, "I'm not a witch. I'm you," and also at you, "Aqua Buddha.")

No, here we're talking about truly great ads that applied ingenuity, creativity and pure guts to an election. We're talking about the ones whose creators deserve accolades and good spots on campaigns for 2012 -- and might just get them.

So get out your popcorn and your New Year's alcohol, and watch our five picks.

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CA-GOV

The Moonbeam Shines Once More, As Jerry Brown Beats Meg Whitman For CA-GOV

Eric Kleefeld | November 2, 2010, 11:31PM

Gov.-elect Jerry Brown (D) and Republican candidate Meg Whitman

Democrat Jerry Brown has won the California gubernatorial race, proving that there is a second act in politics -- and a third, and a fourth, and a fifth -- with the 72-year-old defeating Republican former eBay CEO Meg Whitman to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

With 8% of precincts reporting, Brown leads by 48%-47%, and has been projected as the winner by Fox News and the Los Angeles Times.

This will not be Brown's first time in the governor's mansion, as he's been there before in both his youth and adulthood. His father Pat Brown was governor from 1959-1967, losing to Ronald Reagan in 1966. Then Jerry was elected California Secretary of State in 1970, and succeeded Reagan as governor in 1974. He ran for president in 1976, was re-elected governor in 1978, ran for president again in 1980, and then lost a Senate race in 1982.

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CA-SEN

SurveyUSA Poll: Brown Up 11, Boxer Up 8 In CA Races

Marc Kilstein | November 1, 2010, 3:59PM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

On the heels of a more-narrow PPP survey released this morning, SurveyUSA is out with new numbers on the California Senate and gubernatorial contests that suggest Democrats are well-positioned to take both races.

In the Senate race, Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is found ahead of Republican former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina 46%-38%. When SurveyUSA looked at this race last week, Boxer led by five points, 45%-40%.

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CA-GOV

PPP Poll: Brown And Boxer Stay Narrowly Ahead In California

Eric Kleefeld | November 1, 2010, 11:07AM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

The new survey of California from Public Policy Polling (D) shows Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown and Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer holding on to narrow leads in their respective races against Republican businesswomen Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina.

In the gubernatorial race: Brown 51%, Whitman 46%. In the previous PPP poll from a week ago, Brown had a wider lead of 53%-42%. The TPM Poll Average of the gubernatorial race gives Brown a lead of 49.6%-42.0%.

In the Senate race: Boxer 50%, Fiorina 46%. The previous PPP numbers from a week ago gave Boxer a lead of 52%-43%. The TPM Poll Average of the Senate race gives Boxer a lead of 48.1%-44.1%.

The survey of likely voters has a ±3.3% margin of error.

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CA-GOV

Field Poll: Jerry Brown Leads Meg Whitman By 10 Points For CA-GOV

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2010, 9:37AM

California gubernatorial candidates Jerry Brown (D) and Meg Whitman (R)

The new Field Poll of the California gubernatorial race shows Democrat Jerry Brown gaining a strong lead against Republican Meg Whitman. As for Whitman, who has spent a record sum of her own money on the campaign, her unfavorable ratings have only gone up over time.

The numbers: Brown 49%, Whitman 39%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3.2% margin of error. In the previous Field Poll from a month ago, the two were tied at 41%-41%

From the pollster's analysis:

Since early 2010 Whitman has spent an unprecedented large amount of campaign advertising funds in TV, radio and direct mail. Also, there has been three well-publicized gubernatorial debates and numerous personal appearances throughout the state, along with extensive free media coverage. Despite all this, Whitman has been unable to increase the proportion of voters who view her favorably. In fact, over this same period the proportion of voters who hold a negative opinion of Whitman has grown - from 27% in March, to 42% in July, to 45% in mid-September, and to 51% in the current survey.

The TPM Poll Average gives Brown a lead of 48.9%-41.0%.

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CA-GOV

Brown's New Ad Attacks Whitman: 'Let's Get Positive' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2010, 6:56PM

Meg Whitman (R), and Jerry Brown (D)

California Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown is quickly leveraging a golden TV moment yesterday into a new ad attacking his Republican rival Meg Whitman -- for not being positive in her campaign.

Remember that fun moment yesterday, when Whitman got booed by an audience at a joint appearance with Brown and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), because she wouldn't agree to Matt Lauer's effort to get her and Brown to drop their negative ads? Well, now it's Brown's new ad.

The ad shows the exchange where Brown agreed to take down his negative ads if Whitman would do so as well. Then we get Whitman's waffling answer about how she wouldn't take down ads going after Brown's record -- and the made-for-an-ad moment of the audience booing her.

The on-screen text then says: "Tell Meg Whitman: Let's Get Positive."

The TPM Poll Average gives Brown a lead of 49.0%-41.3%.

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2010 elections

CNN Poll: Brown And Boxer Ahead In California

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2010, 6:02PM

California Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown

The new CNN poll of California provides further corroboration that Democrats Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer are on track in their respective gubernatorial and Senate races.

The gubernatorial numbers: Brown 51%, Republican Meg Whitman 44%. In the previous poll from a month ago, Brown led by 52%-43%. The TPM Poll Average has Brown ahead by 49.0%-41.3%.

The Senate numbers: Boxer 50%, Republican Carly Fiorina 45%. In the previous poll from a month ago, Boxer led by 52%-43%. The TPM Poll Average has Boxer ahead by 47.4%-43.4%.

The survey of likely voters has a ±3.5% margin of error.

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2010 elections

SurveyUSA: Brown And Boxer Ahead In California

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2010, 11:40AM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

Yet another poll of California, this one from SurveyUSA, has Democrats Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer continuing to lead in their respective gubernatorial and Senate races.

In the gubernatorial race, Brown leads Republican Meg Whitman by 46%-38%. In the previous poll from last week, Brown led by 47%-40%. The TPM Poll Average gives Brown a lead of 48.7%-40.8%.

In the Senate race, the incumbent Senator Boxer leads Republican Carly Fiorina by 45%-40%. In the previous poll from last week, Boxer had a narrower lead of 46%-44%. The TPM Poll Average has Boxer ahead by 47.2%-43.1%.

The survey of likely voters has a ±4.1% margin of error.

CA-GOV

Whitman Waffles: I'll Pull Negative Ads -- Except The Ones Attacking Jerry Brown's Positions (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2010, 10:46AM

Meg Whitman (R), and Jerry Brown (D)

The candidates for Governor of California had a fun moment at a joint appearance yesterday, when they were cajoled by Matt Lauer, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), and a very energetic audience to drop their negative ads. Republican nominee Meg Whitman agreed that she would indeed stop her ads attacking Democratic nominee Jerry Brown -- but only any ads attacking him personally, and not the ones hitting him on the issues.

At the state's annual Women's Conference, Lauer challenged the candidates to drop their negatives ads, with the audience enthusiastically applauding and even Schwarzenegger, who was on stage between the candidates, joining in on the clapping.

Brown briefly said there can be argument over what constitutes a negative ad, but ultimately agreed on the condition that it be done through a bilateral agreement: "Well, there's a spectrum. But I'll be glad. If Meg wants to do that, I'll be glad to do that. We could have a little discussion, and I"m sure we could work something out.

Whitman, who has faced intense attacks in the press and from her political opponents over a story involving her having hired an illegal immigrant housekeeper, gave a more equivocal answer, differentiating personal attacks from issue-based ones.

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CA-SEN

PPP Poll: Dems Increasing Leads In CA-SEN And CA-GOV Races

Marc Kilstein | October 26, 2010, 4:43PM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

On the heels of two newly released surveys of the California Senate and gubernatorial races, another set of numbers has come out, extending the narrative that Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer and state Attorney General Jerry Brown are pulling away in their respective races.

The poll, conducted by PPP, finds Boxer leading Republican former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina in the state's Senate race 52%-43%, while Brown is found up on Republican former eBay CEO Meg Whitman 53%-42% in the state's gubernatorial race. When PPP last looked at these races on September 16, Boxer led 50%-42%, while Brown was up by a narrower 47%-42% advantage.

The TPM Poll Average finds Boxer on top of the Senate race 47.5%-43.4%. In the gubernatorial contest, the TPM Poll Average shows Brown leading Whitman 48.8%-41.2%.

The margin of error of the newest statewide survey is ±3.9 percentage points.

For more on the Senate race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here. For more on the gubernatorial race, click here.

CA-SEN

Suffolk Poll: Boxer Up 9, Brown Up 8 In CA Races

Marc Kilstein | October 26, 2010, 4:29PM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

Suffolk University has released a new California statewide poll and the Democrats appear to be in control of both the Senate and gubernatorial races.

In the Senate contest, Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is leading Republican former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina 52%-43%, with Libertarian Gail Lightfoot earning 2%, American Independent candidate Edward Noonan polling at 1%, and Green Party candidate Duane Roberts pulling in 1% as well.

In the gubernatorial race, Democratic state Attorney General Jerry Brown is up on Republican former eBay CEO Meg Whitman 50%-42%, with a slew of third party candidates polling in the single digits (American Independent candidate Chelene Nightingale at 2%, while Green Party candidate Laura Wells, Libertarian Dale Ogden, and Peace and Freedom candidate Carlos Alvarez are all at 1%).

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2010 elections

Fox News Poll: Brown Extends Lead In CA-GOV, Boxer Holds Steady In Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2010, 10:31AM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

The new Fox News poll of California shows Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown and incumbent Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer staying ahead in their races.

In the gubernatorial race: Brown 50%, Republican Meg Whitman 41%. In the previous poll from last week, Brown led by a slightly narrower 48%-43% -- in line with a recent trend of Brown expanding his lead in all the polls. The TPM Poll Average for the gubernatorial race gives Brown a lead of 48.4%-41.1%.

In the Senate race: Boxer 48%, Republican Carly Fiorina 44%. In the previous poll from last week, Boxer led by an identical 48%-44%, in line with other pollsters that have shown Boxer with a narrow but steady lead. The TPM Poll Average for the Senate race gives Boxer a lead of 47.1%-43.4%.

The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error.

ed. note: This post has been edited from the original, correcting a typo in the numbers.

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CA-GOV

Jerry Brown Ad: My Opponent Meg Whitman Loved California When I Was Governor

Eric Kleefeld | October 25, 2010, 3:17PM

From a Jerry Brown campaign ad, "Whitman: 'Why I Came to California'

Democrat Jerry Brown has an amazing new ad in the California gubernatorial race, touting the praise of his great record in public service from none other than...his Republican opponent Meg Whitman!

The ad shows footage of Whitman, delivering one of her standard stump lines about the time when she first moved to California, and how concerned she is with the state's current broken condition: "You know, 30 years ago anything was possible in this state."

The screen then cuts to black, with on-screen text: "Who was Governor 30 years ago? Jerry Brown."

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CA-GOV

Meg Whitman Ad: I Know You Might Not Like Me, But Please Vote For Me (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 25, 2010, 10:46AM

Campaign ad from gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman (R-CA), "I'm Ready"

Meg Whitman has an interesting closing statement ad, going into the home stretch of the California gubernatorial race: I know you may not like me, but really, I'm a good person and I can turn the state around.

"I know many of you see this election as an unhappy choice between a longtime politician with no plan for the future, and a billionaire with no government experience," Whitman says. "Let me tell you my story."

The TPM Poll Average gives Democrat Jerry Brown a lead of 47.9%-41.6%, with clear momentum on Brown's side as he rises and Whitman falls. The poll average also shows Whitman with a very low favorable rating of only 41.9%, with 51.5% unfavorable. Brown's average favorable rating is also in negative territory, but at a much closer 47.0%-48.6%.

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CA-GOV

L.A. Times Poll: Jerry Brown Leads Meg Whitman By 13 Points

Eric Kleefeld | October 25, 2010, 10:14AM

California Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown (D)

The Los Angeles Times poll of the California gubernatorial race released this weekend shows Democrat Jerry Brown pulling away from Republican Meg Whitman.

The numbers: Brown 52%, Whitman 39%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3.2% margin of error. In the previous poll from a month ago, Brown was ahead by a narrower 49%-44%.

The polling shows some anecdotal evidence that Whitman's massive personal spending on the race -- she has put in more than $141 million of her own money on the race -- may have over-saturated the market and only alienated some voters:

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CA-GOV

Rasmussen Poll: Brown Leads Whitman By Six Points In CA-GOV

Eric Kleefeld | October 23, 2010, 5:50PM

California gubernatorial candidates Jerry Brown (D) and Meg Whitman (R)

The new Rasmussen poll of the California gubernatorial race shows Democrat Jerry Brown maintaining his lead over Republican Meg Whitman.

The numbers: Brown 48%, Whitman 42%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous survey from a week and a half ago, Brown led by 50%-44%.

The pollster's analysis lays out how Brown has risen in the polls, and Whitman has fallen: "Support for Brown, a longtime Democratic figure in the state who previously served as governor from 1975 to 1983, has steadily risen from 40% in late August. Backing for Whitman, a former CEO of eBay, has declined slightly from a high of 48% in the same period."

The TPM Poll Average gives Brown a lead of 47.6%-41.9%.

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Sharron Angle

Harry Reid Camp Tells Sharron Angle To 'Man Up'

Brian Beutler | October 21, 2010, 5:35PM

NV-SEN candidates Sharron Angle (R) and Harry Reid (D)

Examples of female politicians questioning their male rivals' manhood are about a dime a dozen at this point. Christine O'Donnell told her primary opponent Mike Castle to get his "man-pants" on. Sharron Angle told Harry Reid to "man up" and gut Social Security. Democrat Robin Carnahan told her Missouri Senate rival Roy Blunt to repeal his own health care..."and man up." Sarah Palin said Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has "the cojones" that to tackle immigration reform that Barack Obama could use -- just one of many times she emasculated some of her enemies: "impotent, limp, and gutless reporters" and Republicans who won't "man up" and support the Tea Party.

Now one of the men on the receiving end of this phallic fusillade is turning the tables.

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2010 elections

PPIC Poll: Brown And Boxer Ahead In California

Eric Kleefeld | October 21, 2010, 10:29AM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

The new statewide survey from the Public Policy Institute of California shows both Democratic candidates, gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown and incumbent Sen. Barbara Boxer, leading in their races.

In the gubernatorial race: Brown 44%, Republican Meg Whitman 36%. In the previous poll from late September, Whitman had an edge of 38%-37%. The TPM Poll Average for the gubernatorial race gives Brown a lead of 47.3%-42.3%.

In the Senate race: Boxer 43%, Republican Carly Fiorina 38%. In the previous poll from late September, Boxer led by 42%-35%. The TPM Poll Average for the Senate race gives Boxer a lead of 47.0%-43.3%.

The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error.

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Meg Whitman

Whitman Announces Sheriff's Endorsement With Link To Lingerie-Clad Japanese Bassist

Brian Beutler | October 19, 2010, 3:54PM

Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for California governor

If Meg Whitman creates one job during her campaign, it could very well go to a pink lingerie-clad Japanese bassist.

The Whitman campaign inadvertently promoted an amateur YouTube performer while trying to advertise an endorsement from the San Diego County Sheriff's Association. On Twitter. Fail.

The Tweet was spot-on until the very end: "SD Cnty Sheriff Assoc says @Whitman2010 4 gov! RT: @Murphy4MegNews: CA Cops get it: Jerry Brown is too soft on crime. http://bit.ly/bNCAV"

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CA-GOV

Jerry Brown Ad: Arnold And Whitman Use The Same Clichés (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 19, 2010, 3:14PM

Democrat Jerry Brown has a new ad in the California gubernatorial race, tying his Republican opponent Meg Whitman to the unpopular GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- by showing them separately repeating the same slogans.

Although he was previously elected to two terms (counting that 2003 recall) Schwarzenegger's approval rating now stands at only 30%-66.6% in the TPM Poll Average.

The ad shows clips of Schwarzenegger and Whitman alternatively repeating the same clichés, such as: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results," "I have built businesses," "met a payroll," "I don't owe anyone anything," and, "we do not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem." And the kicker: "What's the worst thing that can happen?"

Unfortunately the Brown campaign couldn't find any matching video of Whitman saying the following line: "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women."

The TPM Poll Average gives Brown a lead of 47.6%-43.7%.

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2010 elections

Fox Poll: Dems Lead In California

Eric Kleefeld | October 19, 2010, 12:40PM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

The new Fox News poll of California shows the Democrats extending their narrow leads in the state's top races for governor and Senate. Or perhaps more accurately, the Republicans are falling further behind -- the voters don't actually like any of the candidates.

In the gubernatorial race, to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: Democrat Jerry Brown 48%, Republican Meg Whitman 43%. In the previous Fox poll from a month ago, Brown and Whitman were tied at 45%-45%. The TPM Poll Average for the gubernatorial race gives Brown a lead of 47.6%-43.7%

In the Senate race: Incumbent Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer 48%, Republican Carly Fiorina 44%. In the previous poll, Boxer led by just 47%-46%. The TPM Poll Average for the Senate race gives Boxer a lead of 48.0%-43.7%.

As Fox's analysis points out: "California voters don't seem too happy with any of their candidate choices this year. Boxer, Fiorina, Brown and Whitman all scored above 50 percent on being viewed unfavorably by voters."

The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error.

2010 elections

Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Brown And Boxer Narrowly Lead In California

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2010, 6:25PM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

The new Reuters/Ipsos poll of California gives the Democratic candidates narrow leads in the state's top two races.

In the gubernatorial race, to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Democrat Jerry Brown leads Republican Meg Whitman by 48%-44%. In the previous Ipsos poll from just under two weeks ago, Brown led by 50%-43%. The TPM Poll Average for the gubernatorial race gives Brown a lead of 47.4%-43.8%

In the Senate race, incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer has an edge of just 46%-45% over Republican Carly Fiorina. In the previous poll, Boxer led by 49%-45%. The TPM Poll Average for the Senate race gives Boxer a lead of 47.9%-43.7%.

The survey of likely voters has a ±4.6% margin of error.

CA-GOV

Rasmussen Poll: Brown Still Leading Whitman After 'Whore' Controversy

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2010, 11:31AM

California gubernatorial candidates Jerry Brown (D) and Meg Whitman (R)

The new Rasmussen poll of the California gubernatorial race -- the first poll released since the report of a recording of somebody on Democrat Jerry Brown's campaign calling Republican Meg Whitman a "whore" -- shows Brown continuing to lead Whitman despite the controversy.

The numbers: Brown 50%, Whitman 44%. likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from two weeks ago, Brown led by a nearly-identical margin of 49%-44%.

The "whore" controversy has dominated coverage of the race for the last week with Brown coming under fire from the Whitman campaign and much of the media. (Brown himself did not appear to have been the person who used the word on the weeks-old call, but he did not immediately differ with it on the audio.) However, this poll shows that it doesn't seem to have affected the race in any material way, and his momentum has held up.

The TPM Poll Average gives Brown a lead of 47.1%-43.9%.

Meg Whitman

California NOW President: 'Meg Whitman Could Be Described As A Political Whore'

Megan Carpentier | October 14, 2010, 1:45PM

California gubernatiorial candidate Meg Whitman (R-CA)

Last week, the National Organization for Women and the PAC of the California NOW chapter took heat for their endorsement of state Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) over Meg Whitman (R) in the gubernatorial race in the wake of comments by a Brown aide that Whitman was a "whore." At the time, national NOW President Terry O'Neill said that anyone who "from here on" calls a woman a "whore" should be fired.

She might want to have a talk with California NOW President Parry Bellasalma, who today told TPM in response to a question that "Meg Whitman could be described as 'a political whore.' Yes, that's an accurate statement."

Read more »

CA-GOV

'Whore' Remark Takes Center Stage At Jerry Brown-Meg Whitman Debate (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | October 13, 2010, 10:35AM

It might just be the first time candidates for governor used the word "whore" on stage in a debate, but it was the nastiest moment between former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and Attorney General Jerry Brown last night as they tried to convince California voters to pick them next month.

It all started late last week when a recording surfaced of a Brown aide suggesting that the Democrat call Whitman a "whore" for cutting a deal with state employee unions.

Last night during their third debate, Brown told voters that his campaign had "apologized promptly," and he told Whitman he was sorry. "It's unfortunate and I'm sorry it happened and I apologize," Brown said.

But Whitman said the state's voters "deserve better than slurs and personal attacks."

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2010 elections

Jon Stewart Talks Nazis, Whores, And Other 'Unforced Errors' Of The Election (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | October 12, 2010, 10:10AM

Jon Stewart looked at the "unforced errors" of this campaign season last night, including a moment when an associate of Democratic California gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown was caught on tape calling his opponent Meg Whitman a "whore," or, as Fox News' Martha MacCallum called it, "a name that is usually reserved for prostitutes." Jon was confused: "Desiree? Cinnamon? Lucinda J. Knobgobbler?"

Stewart also talked about Ohio Republican Congressional candidate and Nazi reenator Rich Iott: "You know, Ronald Reagan's first rule: Never attack a fellow Republican. His second rule: Never dress up like a Nazi."

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2010 elections

Is Meg Whitman Spending Her Way To Defeat?

Eric Kleefeld | October 8, 2010, 8:41AM

California gubernatioral candidate Meg Whitman (R-CA)

Meg Whitman, the former eBay CEO and now Republican nominee for governor of California, has set the record as the biggest self-financing candidate of all time -- but at the same time, she's losing in all the recent polls against Democratic state Attorney General Jerry Brown, after having previously led for some time. Has she spent too much? It sure seems like it. And things have really started to go wrong for her.

As of now, Brown leads in the TPM Poll Average by a margin of 45.9%-44.4%.

In mid-September, Whitman officially broke the all-time record to become the biggest self-financing candidate in American history, at $119 million of her own money being put into the race. And as of now, the total expenditures from her campaign have reached $140 million, including both her own money and that of others.

At the same time, Brown's campaign has spent only $10 million, a pittance compared to Team Whitman. And it turns out that they've also stockpiled $22.5 million for the home stretch of the campaign -- which will probably be less than what Whitman spends in the same time period, but certainly enough to get his message across and remind voters that he exists.

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CA-SEN

SurveyUSA Polls: Dems Ahead In CA-SEN and CA-GOV Races

Marc Kilstein | October 5, 2010, 9:42AM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and California Attorney General Jerry Brown

SurveyUSA is out with new numbers on the California Senate and gubernatorial races and both Democratic nominees are maintaining their recent polling leads. In the Senate race, Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is leading Republican former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina 46%-43%, while Democratic state Attorney General Jerry Brown is up on Republican former eBay CEO Meg Whitman in the state's gubernatorial race, 47%-43%.

When SurveyUSA last looked at these contests on September 21, both Democrats were up in their respective contests: Boxer led by six points, 49%-43%, and Brown had a three-point advantage, 46%-43%. These two closely-watched races have been heavily polled over the last few weeks. Most recently in the Senate race, a CNN/Time poll gave Boxer a 52%-43% lead over Fiorina. The Democrat hasn't been found trailing in a poll in nearly a month. In the gubernatorial fight, an October 3 Rasmussen poll had Brown up five points, 49%-44%. He has led in five of the last six poll conducted on the race.

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CA-GOV

Rasmussen Poll: Jerry Brown Leads Meg Whitman By Five Points In CA-GOV

Eric Kleefeld | October 4, 2010, 1:00PM

California Gov. Jerry Brown

The new Rasmussen poll of the California gubernatorial race -- the first survey since Republican former eBay CEO Meg Whitman became implicated in a scandal over having hired an illegal immigrant housekeeper -- shows Democratic state Attorney General Jerry Brown, who previously served as governor from 1975-1983, building up his newfound lead against her.

The numbers: Brown 49%, Whitman 44%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from two weeks ago, Brown led Whitman by 47%-46%.

Also of note, the TPM Poll Average now gives Brown a bare lead of 45.2%-45.1% -- the first time in many weeks that he has been ahead in this measurement.

Whitman's past strong performance in the polls came from her heavy self-financing -- at over $119 million, she is the biggest self-financing candidate ever in this country. However, other recent polls, such as a recent survey from Public Policy Polling (D), have suggested that Whitman reached the point of over-saturating the market. And the maid story probably isn't helping her, either.

CA-GOV

PPIC Poll: CA-GOV Is Anybody's Game

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 30, 2010, 2:55PM

Meg Whitman (R), gubernatorial candidate in California.

The Public Policy Institute of California is out with one of the most anticipated polls of the California election season today -- and the results show that with the clock ticking down on the state's gubernatorial campaign, the election is anybody's to win (or lose).

The survey of 1,104 likely voters in the Golden State shows Republican nominee Meg Whitman leading the race by one point. She's leading Democrat Jerry Brown 38-37. That essentially matches a July PPIC poll that showed Whitman leading 37-34. Whitman has shored up support in several important areas however.

"Independents were divided in July (30% Brown, 28% Whitman, 30% undecided) but have shifted toward Whitman (38% Whitman, 30% Brown, 19% undecided)," the pollster reports. "Whitman is favored more by Republicans (71%) than Brown is by Democrats (63%)."

Other recent polling in the race confirms a close race, though one poll -- a CNN/Time survey published yesterday -- showed Brown with a nine-point lead. The TPM Poll Average shows the candidates essentially tied, with Whitman leading 45.1-44.7.

Read more »

CA-SEN

CNN/Time Polls: California Love For Boxer, Brown

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 29, 2010, 6:17PM

California Gov. Jerry Brown

Two new polls from CNN/Time are giving Democrats in California reason to celebrate. The party's nominees for governor and Senate -- both facing wealthy self-funders -- are ahead by nine points, the polls find.

Incumbent Sen. Barbara Boxer leads Republican nominee Carly Fiorina by margin of 52-43, the poll finds. That's the same margin that CNN/Time reports Jerry Brown (D) is ahead of Meg Whitman (R) in the gubernatorial race.

Compared with CNN/Time's last poll of the races, both sets of numbers show the Democrats gaining momentum. Boxer led by four in the last poll, and Brown trailed by two.

The TPM Poll Average for the Senate campaign shows Boxer ahead 48.0-44.3. The TPM Poll Average for the gubernatorial fight shows a much closer contest, with Whitman ahead 45.8-45.5.

Both CNN/Time polls were conducted among likely voters early this week. The margin of error for each is 3.5%.

CA-GOV

Billionaire Meg Whitman In First CA-Gov Debate: 'I Don't Think You Can Buy Elections'

Christina Bellantoni | September 28, 2010, 10:53PM

California gubernatorial candidates Jerry Brown (D) and Meg Whitman (R)

Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown clashed tonight in their first gubernatorial debate, with Brown charging Whitman only wanted to help billionaires like herself and Whitman slamming Brown as beholden to public employee unions. The two sparred for an hour in a debate that focused almost exclusively on the Golden State's economy and how they'd fix gridlock in Sacramento.

Moderators of the debate asked Whitman about charges she'd tried to "buy" California votes by spending more than $119 million so far, and with five weeks still to go before election day. The governor's race in California is usually battled on the television airwaves, and Whitman's ads have been bombarding voters for months.

"I don't think you can buy elections, I think Californians are too smart," Whitman said. "What you can do is get your message out."

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CA-GOV

Los Angeles Times Poll: Jerry Brown Leads Meg Whitman By 5 Points

Eric Kleefeld | September 27, 2010, 9:47AM

CA Gov candidate Jerry Brown (D)

Yet another poll, this one from the Los Angeles Times and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (D), shows Democrat Jerry Brown with the lead in the California gubernatorial race against Republican Meg Whitman.

The numbers: Brown 49%, Whitman 44%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3.3% margin of error. The previous LAT/GQR survey from all the way back in late May put Brown ahead by 44%-38%. However, there have been a lot of polls since then showing Whitman ahead, after she put in so much of her own money that she has become the biggest self-financing candidate ever. As such, the TPM Poll Average shows Whitman still ahead, but only by a slim margin of 45.9%-44.8%.

However, other recent polls have also shown Brown pulling ahead or in a tied race.

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CA-GOV

Polls: Brown And Whitman Remain Close In CA-GOV Race

Marc Kilstein | September 23, 2010, 10:36AM

Meg Whitman (R), and Jerry Brown (D)

Two new polls of the California gubernatorial race are out, and continue to show a tight race between Democratic state Attorney General Jerry Brown and Republican former eBay CEO Meg Whitman. A SurveyUSA poll shows Brown leading Whitman by three points, 46%-43%, while a Field Poll has the contest deadlocked, 41%-41%.

SurveyUSA's new findings paint a very different picture than the firm's September 1 poll of the race -- Whitman led in that survey, 47%-40%. There has not been a Field Poll conducted on the contest since a July 5 survey saw Brown leading 44%-43%. Yesterday, a Rasmussen poll produced a similarly narrow margin in the race, finding the Democrat leading 47%-46%. While Whitman led every mainstream poll conducted from August 11-September 11, Brown has not been seen trailing in a poll since.

The latest SurveyUSA poll's margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points, while the Field Poll's is ±4.1 percentage points. The TPM Poll Average still has Whitman ahead in the contest, leading 45.8%-44.4%.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

CA-GOV

Rasmussen Poll: Jerry Brown Up 1 In CA-GOV Race

Marc Kilstein | September 22, 2010, 12:13PM

Meg Whitman (R), and Jerry Brown (D)

A new Rasmussen poll of the California gubernatorial race finds Democratic state Attorney General Jerry Brown leading Republican former eBay CEO Meg Whitman 47%-46%.

When Rasmussen looked at the race on September 6, Whitman was ahead by three points, 48%-45%. A PPP survey released yesterday produced a five-point lead for the Democratic nominee, up 47%-42% on Whitman. Fox News' September 18 poll had found the two candidates deadlocked at 45%-45%. Prior to these three new surveys, Whitman was leading in the polls, having been found on top of the contest in all six mainstream polls conducted from August 11-September 11.

Rasmussen latest poll's margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points. The TPM Poll Average still has Whitman ahead in the contest, leading 46.7%-44.7%.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

CA-GOV

PPP Poll: Jerry Brown Ahead By 5 Points In CA-GOV Race

Eric Kleefeld | September 21, 2010, 1:28PM

Meg Whitman (R), and Jerry Brown (D)

The new survey of the California gubernatorial race from Public Policy Polling (D) gives Democrat Jerry Brown a five-point lead over Republican Meg Whitman.

The numbers: Brown 47%, Whitman 42%. In the previous PPP survey from all the way back in late July, Brown led by 46%-40%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3.8% margin of error.

Other polls recently have given Whitman the lead -- thus the TPM Poll Average puts her ahead 46.2%-44.5%. However, there might be some actual movement in Brown's favor, such as a Fox News poll today that showed the race as a tie after Whitman had previously been ahead just last week.

In this PPP poll, Brown's personal favorable rating is at only 42%, with 45% unfavorable. However, Whitman is even worse at 35%-49% -- a sign of possible over-saturation with the voters after she beat the record for the biggest self-financing candidate ever.

2010 elections

Fox News Poll: CA-SEN And CA-GOV Races Are Very, Very Close

Marc Kilstein | September 21, 2010, 11:44AM

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senate candidate Carly Fiorina (R-CA)

Fox News is out with new numbers on the California Senate and gubernatorial races this morning, and both races are looking tight... really, really tight.

The survey, conducted by Rasmussen offshoot Pulse Opinion Research through an automated dialing system, finds Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer leading Republican former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina by the narrowest of margins in the Senate race, 47%-46%. In the state's gubernatorial race, Democratic state Attorney General Jerry Brown and Republican former eBay CEO Meg Whitman are deadlocked, 45%-45%.

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2010 elections

Meg Whitman: Biggest. Self-Financer. Ever.

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2010, 8:42AM

Meg Whitman

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, the Republican nominee for governor of California, has now now crossed a historic threshold: As the San Francisco Chronicle reports, she has just put in another $15 million of her own money into the campaign -- bringing her total to $119 million and making her the biggest self-financing candidate ever.

Whitman's $119 million puts her past the previous record-holder, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I), who spent $110 million to be narrowly re-elected to a third term in 2009.

As we've previously noted, Whitman has been vastly out-spending the Democratic nominee, state Attorney General and ex-governor Jerry Brown. For his part, Brown has recently gone on the air with an ad touting his accomplishments from when he was previously governor, from 1975-1983 -- an interesting move to pitch himself as a reliable and steady hand, in an environment that is widely seen as anti-incumbent and anti-establishment.

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