Feinstein's Popularity Plunges In New Field Poll
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - She has long been considered one of the most popular politicians in California history, but a bad economy and the public's negative attitude towards elected officials as of late seem to be taking a toll on Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein.
According to the latest Field Poll, released Tuesday, just 46 percent of respondents said they would vote for Feinstein. 39 percent of respondents indicated they would not.
The Field Poll was a survey of 950 Californians, taken between June 3 - 13. The Field Poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points.
Additionally, this latest Field Poll indicates that just 43 percent of Californians "approve" of the job Feinstein is doing, while 39 percent responded that they "disapproved." 18 percent indicated they had "no opinion."
Feinstein first won national office in 1992, and this represents her highest disapproval rating in the year before an election since she became a California senator.
These just-released figures are considered a stunning breakdown of constituent sentiment, considering Feinstein's typically strong voter support throughout the Golden State.
KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:
"I think that if you polled Californians you'd find that Sen. (Barbara) Boxer's (D-Calif.) numbers were down and probably every member of the California Congressional delegation," theorized Ross Baker, Rutgers University political science professor, on the general "anti-incumbent" sentiment sweeping the state.
"This is what they're worried about," added Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, referencing Democratic fears that Republicans could make in-roads in traditionally liberal-leaning California. "High unemployment, a shaky presidential incumbent is going to bring down some senators who we expect would be doing better."
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