New Poll Shows Bustamante Leading Arnold

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante has a significant lead over actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in the race to succeed Gov. Gray Davis, according to a new poll released Saturday night.

Of 801 likely voters surveyed by the Los Angeles Times, 35 percent backed Bustamante, a Democrat, and 22 percent supported Schwarzenegger, a Republican.

Poll data released Friday by the Times showed 50 percent support the effort to oust Davis and 45 percent oppose it.

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The California recall has turned into an absolute circus. The Republican right wing coup appears to be headed for defeat. As election day nears and the polls tighten, it is entirely plausible that Californians will vote to keep their current governor. In a state struggling to make ends meet, the state will have spent millions on a useless and frivolous recall election. Hopefully, the first order of business once this mess is behind us will be the reform of California's recall statutes. Frankly, Mr. Issa should be required to pay the entire bill.