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Schwarzenegger Approval at 39% in California

April 17, 2006

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - California's Arnold Schwarzenegger maintains a low level of public support in an election year, according to a poll by Field. 39 per cent of respondents in the Golden State approve of the governor's performance, down one point since February.

Schwarzenegger—a Republican—won California's recall election in October 2003 with 48.7 per cent of the vote. In November 2005, California voters took part in a special election on eight measures. Schwarzenegger actively promoted a "Yes" vote in the initiatives concerning tenure for public teachers, redistricting, and spending, which where defeated.

Schwarzenegger will seek a full term in office in the gubernatorial election scheduled for Nov. 7. The Democratic nomination will be decided in a primary ballot on Jun. 6. State treasurer Phil Angelides and state controller Steve Westly are the two candidates in contention.

On Apr. 11, Schwarzenegger ruled out setting a firm cap on greenhouse gas emissions in the state, adding, "We won't rush into anything and cause any disruptions. But make no mistake—we must take strong actions and we will take strong actions."

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Arnold Schwarzenegger is handling his job as governor of California?

Apr. 2006

Feb. 2006

Oct. 2005

Approve

39%

40%

37%

Disapprove

47%

49%

56%

Source: Field
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 917 registered California voters, conducted from Apr. 3 to Apr. 10, 2006. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.