Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer have moved ahead in their respective races in California on the back of aggressive messaging attacking Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina for their greed and giveaways to the rich.

This is the last part of a series of posts analyzing competitive Senate elections in blue states. It is the second section of two posts focusing on the greatest state in the union (otherwise known as California). The first part of the series can be found here.

This is the third part of a series of posts analyzing competitive Senate elections in blue states. It will focus on California. Because California is such a big and complicated state, it will have two sections – of which this is the first. The second part can be found here.

California, Section 1

In the greatest state of the union, a fierce senatorial battle is brewing. Former HP executive Carly Fiorina is mounting a tough challenge to incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer. In an anti-Democratic national environment, polls show the race close and competitive. This post will examine the obstacles Ms. Fiorina will face as she seeks to overcome California’s formidable Democratic geography.

Discussion of CEO Salaries

On her first day as the GOP nominee to challenge Barbara Boxer’s US Senate seat, Carleton Sneed “Carly” Fiorina proved her unreadiness for the media spotlight. She chatted on a hot CNN camera with her staffers about cheeseburgers at last night’s victory party and — to her potential great embarrassment — got catty about Barbara Boxer’s hairstyle and, worst of all, her ticketmate Meg Whitman’s choice to appear with Sean Hannity. Carly said it was “really surprising” and “bizarre” Meg would appear since “you know how he is [eye roll].”

The Secretary of State is the person in California charged with protecting the integrity of the voting system, reporting results of elections and monitoring campaign integrity. So it is fitting that the GOP, in defeating Birther Queen Orly Taitz, instead nominated Damon Dunn, who describes himself as a “recovering non-voter” who never voted until 2009. He joins ticket-toppers Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina, notorious non-voters both, on the GOP ticket.

To set up a wave election you need a compelling national reason to fire the party in control of the Congress. Republicans have been looking for anything to make this happen. They believed that the Health Insurance Reform bill would be the ticket, however, as time has gone by and popular things like the end to pre-existing conditions for kids and the end of rescissions have started this issue has faded with the independent voters. They might still find something; after all there have been scandals like Rep. Eric Massa of New York and ethics problems like Rep. Charlie Rangel also of New York.

The thing is none of these have lead to a meme that suggests that the Democrats should be fired. A big part of this is that the Republicans candidates are making a habit of self-immolation.

"Originally posted at Squarestate.net"

It can happen at anytime in a campaign. Things are going along great, you are ahead in the polls then someone looks up, sniffs the air and asks “Do you smell smoke?” Then before you know it; Whoosh! Your candidate has said or done something that makes their candidacy burst into 70 foot tall flames. Self-immolation is an occupational hazard of running for office, but it seems the there is a rash of it in the Republican Party this cycle.

This week’s run down on the latest social media news, crushed into less than 5 minutes.

This is embarrassing for a candidate trying to prove her conservative bonafides to her party: eMeg Whitman endorsed and contributed to Barbara Boxer’s 2003 re-election campaign.

Republicans are focusing on invigorating their base while fissures within the Democratic Party may hurt turnout next November. What are we going to do about it?