CARLY ROMPS IN CALIFORNIA – AT 7:56 P.M. ET:  There'll be a hugely important Republican primary in California on Tuesday.  It looks like Carly Fiorina has the edge in the Senate contest.  From Power Line:

Tom Campbell has pulled his TV ads for the U.S. Senate race in California less than a week before the Republican primary, according to this report. Campbell reportedly has only $400,000 left to spend on his campaign, which is not enough to pay for a statewide media blitz. His main opponent, Carly Fiorina, by contrast seems to have all the money she needs to complete her primary campaign in strong fashion. Much of the money apparently is her own.

Campbell is not conceding the race. However, by pulling his ads, he is seen as all but conceding to Fiorina, who now is well ahead of him in the polls. A LA Times/USC poll from late May has Fiorina ahead of Campbell by a margin of 15 points (38 percent of Fiorina, 23 percent for Campbell, 16 percent for conservative Chuck DeVore, and 20 percent undecided).

Although she lacks a record, Fiorina has made inroads with conservatives.

COMMENT:  Campbell, something of a RINO, has been hurt by revelations of an embarrassing closeness to jihadists.  It may be unfair, but appearances matter, and Campbell has a history of having close relationships with those from the Muslim community who have somewhat extreme views. 

Still, Fiorina would have to run against Barbara Boxer.  Yes, Boxer is weaker this year than in earlier races, but California is a strongly Democratic state, and Dems use the race card, the immigration card, and the bigotry card freely.  This will be a tough fight.

June 3, 2010