links for 2010-05-27

While most voters have a fixed view of Boxer, whoever emerges from the GOP primary won't be well known to Democratic and decline-to-state voters, who will hold sway in November.

"The opponent is a relatively clean canvas," Sragow said. "Barbara Boxer's job is to paint as unflattering a picture as she can about her opponent as quickly as possible. It is as simple as that."

In 1986, the strategy succeeded. Cranston won by slightly less than 105,000 votes. It had a lasting impact on California politics.

In 2006, Treasurer Phil Angelides emerged from a tough Democratic primary for governor, only to be met by an attack launched by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that continued into the fall.

Schwarzenegger's campaign team included Sacramento strategist Marty Wilson. Now, Wilson is managing Fiorina's campaign. If the polls hold and Fiorina wins the nomination, Wilson has an idea what he will be doing on June 9.
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This strategy makes sense since Boxer will have the money – won't work though