Crystal Ball Outlook: Leans D
Democratic candidates: Barbara Boxer, incumbent senator
Republican candidates: Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett Packard
Recent updates from the Crystal Ball
Update October 14th, 2010
In California, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) has finally achieved a small but stable lead over Republican Carly Fiorina. Given the strongly underlying Democratic nature of the Golden State, we are moving California Senate from Toss Up to Leans D.
Update: October 5th, 2010
Senator Barbara Boxer has opened up a lead beyond the margin of error in some polls over the GOP’s Carly Fiorina. This contest is not in the bag for the Senator Boxer, yet if current trends continue, our readers can guess where it will end up in the Crystal Ball’s ratings.
Update: June 17, 2010
Carly Fiorina (R) did herself no good with her petty remarks about Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer’s hair. The best thing Fiorina has going for her is Boxer’s personality, and she managed to make Boxer into a sympathetic figure. Dumb, dumb.
Update: May 20, 2010
Don’t bother telling us you expected three-term Senator Barbara Boxer to be in trouble. You don’t lie that well. The Golden State is so Democratic that we’ll still believe Boxer will lose when we see it; the party identification edge in the electorate will probably kick in come autumn. Yet either former Congressman Tom Campbell or wealthy businesswoman Carly Fiorina will give Boxer her toughest election ever. To the surprise of many observers, Campbell is leading the free-spending Fiorina so far. Conservative Chuck DeVore, a GOP base favorite, hasn’t gotten much traction, as far as we can see. Californians appear sick of everyone and everything. They have become the ungovernable state, and their gold is very tarnished. Boxer hasn’t helped with comments like the one to a general testifying before her: “Could you say ‘Senator’ instead of ‘ma’am?’” TOSS UP FOR NOW.
Update: April 8, 2010
Don’t bother telling us you expected three-term Senator Barbara Boxer to be in trouble. You don’t lie that well. The Golden State is so Democratic that we’ll still believe Boxer will lose when we see it; the party identification edge in the electorate will probably kick in come autumn. Yet either former Congressman Tom Campbell or wealthy businesswoman Carly Fiorina will give Boxer her toughest election ever. Californians appear sick of everyone and everything. They have become the ungovernable state, and their gold is very tarnished. Boxer hasn’t helped with comments like the one to a general testifying before her: “Could you say ’senator’ instead of ‘ma’am?’”
Update: February 19, 2009
Barbara Boxer (D-CA): Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) will be finishing up his seven years as chief executive in 2010, and Republicans dream that he will take on Boxer. The Governator is probably the GOP’s only realistic chance of taking out Boxer, and even then, it would be a tough, unpredictable fight. Every six years since Boxer first won in 1992, Republicans have tried to make the case that she is vulnerable–and it’s never even close in November. California is now so Democratic that it would take a Terminator for the Republicans to have anything approaching an even chance in this contest. Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who chaired John McCain’s 2008 presidential race, has been mentioned for the Republican nomination if Schwarzenegger does not run. DEMOCRATIC HOLD. If Schwarzenegger runs, COMPETITIVE.