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The lowest confidence since June 30, 2008.

Just 42% of likely voters now believe the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

That’s down from 50% two weeks ago, down from 62% in early February, and is the lowest level of confidence since June 30, 2008.

Twenty-eight percent (28%) now say the terrorists are winning. That’s the highest number offering that pessimistic assessment since October 2007.

Just over a third (34%) say the situation in Iraq will get better in the next six months, also the lowest level of confidence since last June. Twenty-seven percent (27%) say the situation will get worse.

Americans have to remember that just because President Obama has renamed the War on Terror and promised to withdraw combat troops from Iraq, America’s terrorist enemies persist nonetheless.

So, says Kos.

Those of you who are watching certain news channels on which I’m not very popular, and you see folks waving tea bags around, let me just remind them that I am happy to have a serious conversation about how we are going to cut our health care costs down over the long term, how we’re going to stabilize Social Security — Claire and I are working dilligently to do a thorough audit of Federal spending — but let’s not play games and pretend that the reason is because of the Recovery Act.

No, the Tea Pary folks KNOW what you and the Democrat dominated Congress will do – RAISE taxes.

Ignore the protests at your own peril.

From the Press Release:

Senate Bill 619, authored by State Senator Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) and principally co-authored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) which provides support for funding Santa Barbara County’s Lower Mission Creek flood control project, earned unanimous bipartisan, support in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

“Santa Barbara County Residents are aware of the damage that a flood can do to their home and property. Local flooding as recent as 1995 and 1998 have left devastating effects on the surrounding community of Lower Mission Creek. SB 619 provides much needed support for crucial funding to the Lower Mission Creek flood control project. This important legislation will help save hundreds of homes from future flood damage,” said Senator Strickland.

SB 619 authorizes California to provide subvention funds to Santa Barbara County for the Lower Mission Creek flood control project. The flood control project has been an on going project for many years and is a joint effort between the City of Santa Barbara, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The Lower Mission Creek flood control project stretches 1.3 miles from Cabrillo Boulevard at the ocean to Canon Perdido Street. The goal of the project is to widen the banks of the creek channel to increase water capacity. This will lead to a reduction in flooding and property damage done by floods.

Assemblymember Nava stated, “I am very pleased that SB 619 passed the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee this week. This is an important measure that will not only protect homes and property, but ultimately save lives in the City of Santa Barbara.”

Santa Barbara County’s Lower Mission Creek flood control project has also earned broad community support with several environmental benefits as well. For more information on Santa Barbara County’s Lower Mission Creek project please visit www.lowermissioncreek.com.

Proving once again that district priorities always trump partisan politics.

So says the latest Field Poll.

• Prop. 1A (Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund)

This proposition, which would establish a “rainy day” budget reserve and limit state spending, is
trailing by nine points – 49% No, 40% Yes and 11% undecided.

• Prop. 1B (Education Funding)

Prop. 1B, the measure that would provide supplemental funding to local schools and community
colleges, is also behind by nine points – 49% No vs. 40% Yes, with 11% undecided.

• Prop. 1C (Lottery Modernization)

The measure receiving the least support is Prop. 1C. It calls for modernizing the state lottery and
borrowing against its future proceeds. Likely voters are opposing it 59% to 32%.

• Prop. 1D (Children’s Services Funding)

This measure would transfer early childhood development monies out of the California Children and
Families Program to the state general fund. Voters divide 49% No, 40% Yes, with 11% undecided.

• Prop. 1E (Mental Health Funding)

Prop. 1E would temporarily transfer funds currently allocated to mental health programs under the
Mental Health Services Act to the state general fund. Currently 51% are voting No and 40% Yes.

No big surprise here.

But, Governor Schwarzenegger and the Democrat dominated California Legislature will have to make up the budget shortfalls that result from these electral decisions.

Will there be another attempt to run around the Proposition 13 restriction to pass tax increases by a 2/3′rds vote of the Legislature?

Stay tuned……

For the second time in five years of polling the GOP tops the Democrats in the generic congressional ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 41% would vote for their district’s Republican candidate while 38% would choose the Democrat. Thirty-one percent (31%) of conservative Democrats said they would vote for their district’s Republican candidate.

Overall, the GOP gained two points this week, while the Democrats lost a point in support. Still, it’s important to note that the GOP’s improved position comes primarily from falling Democratic support. Democrats are currently at their lowest level of support in the past year while Republicans are at the high water mark.

Over the past year, Democratic support has ranged from a low of 38% to a high of 50%. In that same time period, Republicans have been preferred by 34% to 41% of voters nationwide.

During calendar 2009, Democratic support has ranged from 38% to 42% and the Republican range has been from 35% to 41%.

With political pundits heralding the death of the Republican Party and the American economy in the tank, there appears to be hope for Republicans who are in the wilderness.

Was the Arlen Specter switch to the Democrat Party yesterday, the low for the GOP?