The Senatator in 2010?

[Joe Biden 2020]

I heard a rumor that Arnold Schwarzeneggar is planning to make a Senate run in 2010 when his term as California's Governor expires.  Is there any truth to that, and what do you think his chances are if he does run?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I don't think he has a shot.  I think Boxer is a fairly popular incumbent, and I don't see California electing a Republican senator.

[Kevin]

I don't think he has a shot.  I think Boxer is a fairly popular incumbent, and I don't see California electing a Republican senator.

I've been reading in polls recently that Boxer's been having some trouble in terms of popularity. Overall though I give Arnold a 50/50 chance with whether a Republican or Democrat being in the Presidency in 2010 being the real deciding factor.

[Rococo4]

He would have a better chance than anyone else.

[minionofmidas]

He would have a better chance than anyone else.

Yeah. Under 50% as of now, but it'd be a monster battle.

[Erc]

Boxer isn't that popular, and 2010 could be a good year for Republicans.

But the odds are against him at the moment.


Personally, I can't imagine Arnold fitting in very well in the Senate--he'd probably want to keep his current job for life if he could.

Are the California term limits permanent, or is it a 'consecutive terms' limit?  If it's the latter (which I'm pretty sure it isn't), he could just come back again in 2014.

[Joe Biden 2020]

California may not be too keen on Republicans generally, but Arny isn't your average Republican.  He's been at odds with the Bush Administration since he became governor.  Plus, Arnold's social views are in the mold of Rudy Giuliani and Arlen Specter.  He's only slightly to the right of Lincoln Chaffee, probably the most liberal Republican in a long time to step foot in the Senate Chambers.  Also, remember that his wife is a Kennedy.  Maria Shriver is the niece of Ted Kennedy, I believe.

[Kevin]

Boxer isn't that popular, and 2010 could be a good year for Republicans.

But the odds are against him at the moment.


Personally, I can't imagine Arnold fitting in very well in the Senate--he'd probably want to keep his current job for life if he could.

Are the California term limits permanent, or is it a 'consecutive terms' limit?  If it's the latter (which I'm pretty sure it isn't), he could just come back again in 2014.

There have been alot of rumors though floating around in California coming from close friends of the Governor saying that he is hinting a possible run for Senate in 2010.

[TheresNoMoney]

I don't see Arnold running for Senate, but if he did he'd likely lose to Boxer.

[Kevin]

I don't see Arnold running for Senate, but if he did he'd likely lose to Boxer.

It's going to largely depend on who's President in 2010.

[Stranger in a strange land]

does the NRSC have any idea how much a senate race in California costs? Not only is it the most populous state in the country, but also LA and SF media markets aren't exactly cheap. Arnold is wealthy, and this will help to some extent, but I don't think he's wealthy enough to offset the huge numbers of rich liberals who live in CA and will undoubtedley donate to whoever he's running against. Yes Arnold is very moderate and he did win the governor's mansion twice, but voters are much more partisan at the federal level than at the state level.

[Adlai Stevenson]

I would say Boxer would probably prevail with around 52%-53% of the vote.  The most any Republican, even Arnold Schwarzenegger, could get in a California Senate race is about 45%-
47% of the vote, against Boxer anyway. 

[jokerman]

I might be able to pull for Arnold in a race like that.

[bullmoose88]

I don't see Arnold running for Senate, but if he did he'd likely lose to Boxer.

But he's the strongest option the GOP has...and he *could* have a shot.  Though barring some massive democratic decline or boxer screwup any race mentioning the words california and senate must be followed by leans/likely democratic.

[Hash]

I'd for sure support Arnold in this case.

[Adlai Stevenson]

According to the latest Survey USA Approvals, Boxer's rating is now at 51%-37%.  I believe this is her highest for some time - she's ahead of Feinstein's 51%-39%. 

[GOPFlyer10]

I thought i had read somewhere that Boxer was retiring. Did i make that up in my head? Ah, who knows.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

I thought i had read somewhere that Boxer was retiring. Did i make that up in my head? Ah, who knows.

No, she's running for re-election. I somehow got on her e-mail list, and she's fundraising already.

[Хahar 🤔]

The map would look something like this, probably:

[Sensei]

Well, Schwarzenegger is definitely the GOP dream candidate for this race, way better than the sacrificial lambs they throw out half the time in CA (I'm looking at you, Mountjoy)

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

LOL

[Ogre Mage]

Schwarzenegger Survey USA Job Approval:

23% Approve/75% Disapprove 5/28/2009
24% Approve/73% Disapprove 6/18/2009


These are not the numbers of a viable challenger.

[HAnnA MArin County]

Schwarzenegger Survey USA Job Approval:

23% Approve/75% Disapprove 5/28/2009
24% Approve/73% Disapprove 6/18/2009


These are not the numbers of a viable challenger.

I was just gonna say, I'm surprised no one has mentioned how unpopular of a Governor Arnold has been. The latest Survey USA job approval rating I saw for Arnie was released July 20 and it was something along the lines of 18% approve/79% disapprove, and yeah, I don't think those numbers are very encouraging for a Republican against a relatively popular Democratic incumbent in a very blue state. I agree he would be the Republicans' best candidate but I just think California is too blue to send an elephant-in-name-only to the U.S. Senate anytime soon.

What about California's State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner?
1) Has anyone even heard of him?
2) Do you think he would be a good candidate to challenge Boxer?

On a personal note, I like Babs Boxer because of her views but she does seem rather snooty (call me Senator) and unfortunately epitomizes the image of a "left-wing San Francisco liberal elitist snob" that I hear so often from the conservatives, but when she lays down the law to Republicans like Jim Inhofe, that's what makes me smile

[Holmes]

Hahahahahahaha.

The map would look something like this, probably:

Eh, Boxer wins Santa Barbara, Alpine, Mono and Sacramento and San Joaquin are close.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Schwarzenegger Survey USA Job Approval:

23% Approve/75% Disapprove 5/28/2009
24% Approve/73% Disapprove 6/18/2009


These are not the numbers of a viable challenger.

I was just gonna say, I'm surprised no one has mentioned how unpopular of a Governor Arnold has been. The latest Survey USA job approval rating I saw for Arnie was released July 20 and it was something along the lines of 18% approve/79% disapprove, and yeah, I don't think those numbers are very encouraging for a Republican against a relatively popular Democratic incumbent in a very blue state. I agree he would be the Republicans' best candidate but I just think California is too blue to send an elephant-in-name-only to the U.S. Senate anytime soon.

What about California's State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner?
1) Has anyone even heard of him?
2) Do you think he would be a good candidate to challenge Boxer?

On a personal note, I like Babs Boxer because of her views but she does seem rather snooty (call me Senator) and unfortunately epitomizes the image of a "left-wing San Francisco liberal elitist snob" that I hear so often from the conservatives, but when she lays down the law to Republicans like Jim Inhofe, that's what makes me smile

She's terrible and I think Poizner could knock her off, it's too bad he's wasting his time trying to beat Whitman in the primary.