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Meg Whitman Takes Lead Over Jerry Brown in California Governor's Race

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Republican Meg Whitman has moved out ahead of Democrat Jerry Brown in the California governor's race after months of being in statistical or actual ties, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Aug. 24.

Whitman, the former head of eBay, leads Brown, the state's attorney general, by 48 percent to 40 percent with 6 percent favoring some other candidate and 6 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

In seven previous Rasmussen match-ups, they were tied or within 4 points of each other. The biggest margin that previously separated the candidates was in an April survey when Brown led by 6 points.

When "leaners" are counted -- those voters who did not express an initial preference until pressed for a choice -- Whitman leads by 51 percent to 43 percent.

Meg Whitman, Jerry Brown Whitman is seen favorably by 49 percent of voters and unfavorably by 44 percent, with 7 percent not sure. Brown is viewed unfavorably by 51 percent and favorably by 46 percent, with 4 percent not sure. Thirty-eight percent regard Brown "very" unfavorably compared to 25 percent for Whitman.

Whitman is getting 90 percent support from fellow Republicans while Brown gets only 75 percent from Democrats. She attracts 17 percent of the Democratic vote.

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12 Comments

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karolv123

I wish I could be voting for Meg Whitman to be the 1st woman govenor of California. However, I think that the shape this state is in---we need someone with experience. Back 6 years ago, when we voted in Arnold it was thought popularity could override experience and you see where that's gotten us. Hopefully, more people will realize this and not vote for someone who has no expererience except as CEO of Ebay which was nice but not exactly like running a democratic state.

September 14 2010 at 6:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob B

So sad ... a woman, who never thought it important enough to vote even once in her life - now expects us to vote for her. And, life-long politician, who has been on the public dole all his life and never accomplished a thing, now wants us to vote for him doing nothing for 4 (more) years as our governor! I guess, the governor's positions on the ballot will be left blank, once again! God help California - oh, never mind, why bother - He doesn't even know us anymore!

August 26 2010 at 11:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Bob B's comment
enrickue

Well , the problem in California is the number of people on the Govt payroll, meaning all those receiving handouts from the govt thru social services. It is, by far, the leading expense that govts' have. People need to be forced to work, and stop expecting handouts from the govt. Included in this is the number of children from illegal immigrants who cost tax payers hundreds of millions of dollars in education money thru free lunches and a free education AT the AMERICAN taxpayer expense. Illegal immigration is also the leading cause of welfare and food stamp expenses. Even though an illegal cannot receive either of these, their children born in this country do qualify for them, something most people do not know.

August 28 2010 at 9:32 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
gtheel

California needs Meg to win , but it also needs a Conservative majority in the State Senate if they want any positive pro business / pro job change in that State.

August 26 2010 at 8:49 PM Report abuse +11 rate up rate down Reply
Kerplah

If Meg gets into office it'll be a disaster for California and if people really look at her stance on policies, they'll see it. She will destroy California for 95% of us, but the top 5% will get RICH.

August 26 2010 at 8:47 PM Report abuse -12 rate up rate down Reply
joyousjmj

But,it appears Meg Whitman is simply buying the Governorship. If the wealthy can afford more coverage and (just awful negative ads) we will only have the rich running the country. It isn't that they are bad because they are rich, but that they lose sight of the need for us common folk to keep them there.

August 26 2010 at 6:58 PM Report abuse -10 rate up rate down Reply
Stelios

When the real voters of California will take a look at both candidates, especially when honesty, trust and principles are concerned, Jerry Brown will shine. As someone who worked during his administration from 1975 to 1982, I can attest that there is not a dishonest bone in his body. As for intelligence, there are few of us that can even get close. His passion for helping the underpreviledged and destitute is monumental. If an ET came to earth and asked to be shown what a governor looks like, without any hesitation Jerry Brown will be on the top of the list.

August 26 2010 at 6:34 PM Report abuse -11 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Stelios's comment
enrickue

"Helping underpriviledged and destitute." You mean people on the public dole, right? People looking for handouts, like illegals and people who don't WANT to work? Cowtowing to special interests like the Sierra Club and destroing the economy in the name of some little fish that has little economic value but is so worldly important. If you worked for Jerry Brown that means you were on the govt rolls as well. Your voice is negated by that very assertion. Underpriviledged, like affirmative action and all thoise other feel good programs. You know what? I don't care of people feel good, I just want them to take responsibility for themselves, at THEIR expense, not mine. Jobs feed people, not the govt.

August 28 2010 at 9:42 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
truthforfreedom

Brown doesn't have a chance. He didn't do very well the first time around, in my opinion. He's so out there and would just fall in line with the other liberal hacks ruining this state. At least Meg Whitman will try to change things. We need to get rid of over 50% of our Liberal, menacing legislature as well.

August 26 2010 at 4:09 PM Report abuse +21 rate up rate down Reply
pkatcher

California for SALE Meg Whitman knows NOTHING about job creation..she has been in an Ivvory Tower and has no clue..you cannot just turn on job growth...cut taxes for therich (herself inlcuded) and THEN expect everything tobe ok. EDD is a mess, unemployment is critical and GIVING away tax money to the rich will only increase the differences between rich and poor...a 2 state state....horrible

August 26 2010 at 2:40 PM Report abuse -24 rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to pkatcher's comment
MusicbyLes Mack

Go, Meg!!!!!!

August 26 2010 at 2:29 PM Report abuse +26 rate up rate down Reply

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