First Take: Whitman takes the lead. Riverside County’s nasty Senate fight.

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A new Los Angeles Times/USC poll shows GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman with a slight lead over Democrat Jerry Brown, and U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer with leads over her three potential GOP opponents. The survey also finds support for the new healthcare measure signed by President Obama.
Jean Merl looks at the race between Bill Emmerson and Russ Bogh to fill a Riverside County state Senate seat.

Cathleen Decker looks at the rising importance of decline-to-state voters.

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-- Anthony York