The Hill- Sen. Boxer faces likely fight from Jones in 2004

[wrkclskid]

Sen. Boxer faces likely fight from Jones in 2004
By Peter Savodnik

Former California Secretary of State Bill Jones says he is leaning strongly toward challenging Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer (Calif.) next year.

In an interview with The Hill, Jones, until recently the highest-ranking Republican officeholder in California, said he’s waiting to see if Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes governor next month.

“It’s not an absolutely necessary component, but it will no doubt play a major role in my decision-making,” said Jones, who stepped down as secretary of state in January.

<http://www.thehill.com/news/091003/boxer.aspx>


California Duers, is this something to worry about?

[Frances]

1. Now you see why it's important to defeat Arnold

Right now Davis is holding his finger in the dike keeping back a Republican takeover of the country.

No on Recall Yes on Bustamante

[Cha]

2. I see it from way over here in New York!

:kick:

[wrkclskid]

3. Never thought it wasn't important to defeat Arnold

But I think the overall importance of it is overstated, no one goes into the polls and says "What party is my governor again? Because that's what party I am going to vote for." Also I don't think Arnold will be able to do anything if he is governor and will end up looking stupid.

[ButterflyBlood]

10. governors help with fund raising and campaining

but in Arnold's case with a solidly Dem legislature, his hand should be tied to do anything serious.

[Clete]

4. Yes it is.

My money is on Barbara though. She is already aware of the tough campaign she is going to have to run to get reelected. Wonder why Jones thinks Arnold has to be Governor for him to run? Sounds rather fishy.

[JI7]

5. forgot about bill jones

we really need to work hard on this one. we do not have a lock on it as when feinstein runs. boxer's elections are tougher to win.

[UnapologeticLiberal]

7. If she does not win I will be majorly depressed

She is my favorite senator and if she can't win in a state like California then this really is too conservative of a country

[jiacinto]

6. Boxer won by over 800,000 votes in 1998

She should be fine next year. She will have to work to win re-election but she will prevail. Jones is not the top tier candidate people make him out to be. The best GOP candidate would probably be Tom McClintock, who came within 16K votes of winning the Controller's office last year.

[ButterflyBlood]

9. I doubt McClintock could either

in 2002 a conservative candidate couldn't beat the most hated governor in the country, so I don't see how an even more conservative candidate can beat the far more popular Boxer. I don't think there is anyone who can beat Boxer.

[jiacinto]

11. Boxer could be defeated if the right candidate runs the

right campaign. But everything would have to the GOP's way for her to win.

[davidinalameda]

8. probably not

Boxer is light years ahead in fundraising and the Republicans will be divided next year, as they'll end up being this year as well.

There are several moderate Republicans running and I don't see Jones getting past the primary

[mndemocrat_29]

12. Boxer should win

Jones is overestimated as a candidate, and the Repuke Treasurer Rosario Marin has been underperforming lately. Probably the Repuke with the best chance to win would be For. Gov. Pete Wilson, who would be very controversial to begin with.

[Ishkaboogl]

13. no, not something to worry about

I thought that rosario marin was something to worry about, as it seemed like she was the administration's choice and a latina with a story. I think Jones is a less formidable opponent, as he is just another white male republican. I don't see why he'd do any better than Marin. Furthermore, he ran for governor in 2002 while he was the sole statewide republican official, and lost to both riordan and simon. HE LOST TO SIMON!!! Maybe during a midterm I'd worry, but the democrat is gonna win California, and he'll have coattails. This should be cake.

[Le Taz Hot]

14. Could be

But a lot of unknown factors still need to play out. I think Boxer will have more supporters this time around for two reasons: 1) It's a presidential election year (more Democrat voters) and 2) the Dem. base has been mobilized via the Recall and the activist presidential primary candidates (Dean, Kucinich, Clark). OTOH, Boxer is seen as the dreaded "librul" and the Republicans are going to be vicious in their attacks against her. One more factor: The Greens. If the Greens run a candidate for Senate, it splits the Progressive vote and Boxer could be in trouble.

Boxer is looking for volunteers NOW so Californians who want to ensure Boxer remains our senator need to contact the campaign and sign up. Her campaign isn't seriously underway quite yet so it shouldn't interfere with your anti-recall efforts.

Here's the new Boxer campaign URL:

www.boxer2004.org

PLEASE sign up -- This is a Senate seat we DESPERATELY need to keep!

[mndemocrat_29]

15. I doubt that the Greens would dent Boxer too much

n/t

[goobergunch]

16. I concur.

National Journal rated her the second most liberal member of the Senate in the 107th Congress. All the Greens get from this is scorn and contempt.

I essentially agree with Carlos's analysis.

[genius]

17. Barbara's very popular

I don't think she'll have much problem. Her anti-war vote will help a lot now that Bush has been shown to have been a liar.