In California's competitive gubernatorial race, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger now leads Democratic challenger Phil Angelides 47% to 39% (see crosstabs). He has thus added a couple points to what had been a six-point lead in August.

Governor Schwarzenegger has struggled all year. But he stayed afloat, and managed to recover a narrow lead that he has now sustained three months in a row.

The incumbent does better with his base than Angelides, and also enjoys an edge with unaffiliated votes and especially moderates. Schwarzenegger is more popular as well. But voters are more critical of the Governor's job performance than of him personally, with about as many approving (50%) as disapproving (49%).

Forty-two percent (42%) of likely California voters approve of President Bush's job performance. Fifty-seven percent (57%) disapprove, including 48% who "strongly disapprove." Because of Bush's unpopularity in the state, Angelides has been trying to lump the Governor with the President every chance he gets.

In the contest's most recent twist, Democrats have sought to exploit a private comment the Governor made in his office about the supposed racial makeup of the "very hot" personalities of Latin women. The Los Angeles Times obtained a recording of the conversation and published a story about it on September 8. That was a day after Rasmussen Reports conducted the current survey, so it's too early to tell whether the flap will have any impact on the race.

Meanwhile, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) continues to enjoy a very comfortable advantage over Republican challenger Richard Mountjoy, now leading him 58% to 35%. California remains safely in the Democratic column for our Senate Balance of Power summary.

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