Gov. Not Gaining Ground With Republicans

Jan. 12 - KGO (KGO) -- Goveror Schwarzenegger's recent moves to reposition himself in the political center instead of to the right may finally be paying off. A recent poll found his approval rating rising among all voters, except members of his own Republican Party.

While pushing his big infrastructure plan in the Bay Area today, a new San Jose State poll shows Governor Schwarzenegger's move to the political center may be working.

Most California voters still disapprove of the job he's doing, 51 percent now compared to 53 percent four months ago by the same survey. But in the approval column, he went up four percentage points, to 40 percent.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-California: "It's always nice that your poll numbers are good. But I cannot govern based on poll numbers."

The poll also shows the governor made in-roads with Democrats and Independents he'll need to win re-election. Twenty-three percent of Democrats now find the governor more acceptable, up six percentage points since September. Thirty-nine percent of Independents feel the same, up 13 points. But the price of moving to the middle is showing among Republicans, slipping to 61 percent, down 5 points.

"I think Republicans are in a grumpy mood."

Republican strategists think the recent appointment of a Gray Davis-Democrat to the chief of staff position and a Democratic-leaning agenda laid out during last week's State of the State address played a role.

John Feliz, Republican strategist: "I think Republicans are tired of essentially having their positions not be equally as supported, as say the other side's positions."

The GOP faithful say the poll could mean campaign donations will temporarily slow down.

Sen. Dick Ackerman, R-Tustin: "Obviously, it has some impact because he's the leader of the party, but we're continuing to raise money and I think we'll be on track."

Democrats don't seem to be worried either, considering how unpopular President Bush is in this state and a scandal involving a Republican lobbyist in Washington.

Assm. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz: "That will be an overlay to this election that'll make it pretty hard for Republicans to run statewide this year regardless of what happens in this poll."

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