California's U.S. Senate race has tightened slightly, but not enough to furrow the brow of the Democratic incumbent. Easily absorbing a five-point decline in her lead since July, Senator Dianne Feinstein now leads former Republican state Senator Richard Mountjoy 56% to 34%. (see crosstabs)

The state remains safely in the Democratic column for our Senate Balance of Power ratings.

A major issue for Mountjoy is illegal immigration, and he has touted his role in bringing Proposition 187 to the ballot in 1994. Voters passed the initiative, which would have banned giving government benefits to illegal aliens (it was overturned in the courts). But although immigration has been a top issue in the gubernatorial campaign, Mountjoy's poorly financed and GOP-snubbed Senate campaign hasn't been able to gain much traction with it.

Mountjoy does attract 74% of Republicans, but only 4% of Democrats. Feinstein is able to lure 19% of Republicans--and 29% of conservatives.

Feinstein, viewed favorably by 53%, including 31% who view her "very" favorably. Overall, 21% viewing her "very" unfavorably.

Interestingly, among unaffiliated voters, more view her very unfavorably (26%) than very favorably (22%).

Mountjoy evokes a more lukewarm reaction—34% of all voters and 26% of GOP voters don’t know enough to have an opinion of him. But twice as many likely voters view him "very" unfavorably (15%) as view him "very" favorably (7%).

Feinstein is seen as politically liberal by 52% of likely voters, as moderate by 32%. Republicans are even more likely to see her as liberal, Democrats less likely.

About two thirds of Republicans, of Democrats, and of all likely voters say that President Bush is a conservative.

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