Research Briefing

Barbara Boxer Is A Career Politician, Out Of Touch With Concerns Of Californians

CALIFORNIANS ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF JOBS …

Since The $862 Billion Obama-Boxer Stimulus Was Passed, 534,900 Californians Have Lost Their Jobs. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov, Accessed 6/7/10)

Since The Stimulus Was Passed, California’s Unemployment Rate Has Increased 24%, From 10.2% to 12.6%. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov, Accessed 6/7/10)

And California Voters Are Angry About The Poor Economy. “Voter frustration and outright anger is widespread in California, where the 12.6 percent unemployment rate tops the national average, home foreclosures have hit record highs and a budget crunch has led to deep cuts in the state's college system.”  (Michael Blood, “Calif. Sen. Boxer Finds Rocky Re-election Terrain,” The Associated Press, 4/17/10)

AND THEY’VE GROWN TIRED OF WAITING FOR BOXER TO DELIVER …

According To A Recent Democratic Poll, Sen. Boxer’s Approval Rating In California Is Just 37 Percent, While 46 Percent Disapprove. (Public Policy Polling, 921 RVs, MoE +/- 3.2%, 5/21-23/10)

• And Among California Independents Boxer’s Approval Rating Is A Mere 24 Percent, While 50 Percent Disapprove. (Public Policy Polling, 921 RVs, MoE +/- 3.2%, 5/21-23/10)

And According To A USC/Los Angeles Times Poll, Only 40 Percent Of Californians Have A Favorable View Of Boxer, While 44 Percent Have An Unfavorable View. (USC/Los Angeles Times Poll, 1506 RVs, 5/19-26/10)

• Only 34 Percent Said They Would Vote To Reelect Her, While 49 Percent Said They Would Vote For Someone Else. (USC/Los Angeles Times Poll, 1506 RVs, 5/19-26/10)

BECAUSE SHE IS A CAREER POLITICIAN, MORE CONCERNED WITH

WASHINGTON DEMS’ CAUSES THAN CALIFORNIA JOBS

Los Angeles Times Editorial:  “On The Democratic Side, We Find That We're No Fans Of Incumbent Barbara Boxer. She Displays Less Intellectual Firepower Or Leadership Than She Could.” (Editorial, “Choosing Not To Choose,” Los Angeles Times, 5/7/10)

Even Some Democrats In California Say Boxer “Has Been There Too Long.” “Hints of re-election trouble for U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer come from a 65-year-old travel agent from this leafy Los Angeles suburb who's a fellow Democrat. To Helen Sargent, taxes and the national debt are too high, President Barack Obama has proved a disappointment and the Democratic Party needs new faces. Boxer, who's seeking a fourth term this fall, ‘has been there too long,’ Sargent said. ‘All politicians have a shelf life.’” (Michael Blood, “Calif. Sen. Boxer Finds Rocky Re-election Terrain,” The Associated Press, 4/17/10)

After Three Terms, Voters Are Losing Their Affection For Boxer’s “Unrepentant Liberalism” And Erratic Behavior. “[H]er unrepentant liberalism, several notches to the left of center, and her penchant for creating sparks, such as her inexplicable upbraiding of an Army general for referring to her as ‘ma'am’ and not ‘senator’ during a committee hearing, make re-election problematic.” (Dan Walters, “Anti-Politician Rage Imperils Boxer,” The Sacramento Bee, 2/17/10)

“But Asked About Boxer, The Sprightly 82-Year-Old Independent Said Her Patience Is Running Out. … Asked To Name Any Issue That She Associates With The Senator's Work In Washington, She Paused And Stared Blankly. ‘I Can't.’” (Michael Blood, “Calif. Sen. Boxer Finds Rocky Re-election Terrain,” The Associated Press, 4/17/10)