LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- A new poll shows Republican Arnold Schwarznegger would defeat Democrat incumbent Gray Davis if the California governor's race was held today.
USA Today reported Monday the CNN/USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 801 registered voters showed Davis would have a lot of explaining to do if he is to win back voters before the October 7 recall election.
Davis is under attack for his handling of California's budget and energy crises.
In the poll taken Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 64 percent -- including 40 percent of Democrats -- said Davis should go. Only 29 percent% said he should serve the remaining 39 months of his second four-year term.
Schwarzenegger muscled into a big early lead on the motley list of candidates to step into Davis' job if he is recalled. A near-majority of the voters surveyed -- 42 percent -- say there's a very good or good chance they will go for the Hollywood leading man.
