Poll: California coast loves Obama; Inland loves McCain

The final Field Poll before the election shows Barack Obama has opened up a 22-point lead against John McCain in California. The margin would be a post-World War II record. But there is still a geographic divide in the Golden State. According to the Press-Enterprise's Ben Goad:

Coastal California counties, which hold 71 percent of the state's likely voters, favor Obama 60 percent to 28 percent, according to the poll. The inland portion of the state, which includes San Bernardino and Riverside counties, prefers McCain 47 percent to 44 percent, but accounts for only 29 percent of the electorate.

But California's coastal counties are where the voters are. And that means a huge lead for Obama: "A 22-point victory in the state would best Ronald Reagan's 16.8 and 16.2 percentage point wins over Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale in the 1980s, and even Lyndon Johnson's 18.3-point trouncing of Barry Goldwater in 1964, the largest margin of victory so far in California in the post-World War II era."

The Daily News says L.A. County and California's various bond measures are in trouble, in part because of the economy: "No one could have imagined when these bond measures were placed on the ballot that we'd be in a financial free fall today," said Bob Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles. And now the Wall Street financial crisis could make it even more difficult for the four bond measures that would authorize the state to issue more than $17 billion in bonds."

--Shelby Grad

Photo: AP

Comments

[Rebecca Robertson]

This is not about the Coasts vs. the Inland, or middle America (whateverlabelyouwannagiveit). It's more about a huge change in American culture. Multiculturalism is the NEW RELIGION and we have entered a new era of CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION. Christians in this country are now called all kinds of names-check it out, get on a blog and sound like you're a Christian. You will get called a Rightwing Nut and a variety of other vicious epitats. Via the Multicultural route, Anti-Christian sentiment is full blown in this country that once was based and built upon those values. Wake up and smell the Latte.

[robert bradley]

If you thank you can trust the GOVERMENT. Ask a INDIAN

[soupyet]

Obama sound bites and race baiting and sexist campaign are perfect for the low and below average thinkers. Too bad because in the end the tax cuts under Obama for those earning less than $150K will result in those earners paying less tax because they will earn less due to cuts in hours per week. As a small business owner I can tell you that my bottom line will remain the same regardless of who wins because if Obama wins I will cut employee hours and in some cases cut whole jobs before I will ever have a dime less in income due to Obama. Now, I have spent much time in Los Angelos area and know how easy it is too fool the majority of residents there. So I say to California residents, be carefull what you wish for.

I also would love to know what would happen in CA if a house decorating for Halloween decided to put an Obama dummy hanging by a noose up for decorations? They seem to have no problem with the hanging of a Palin dummy by noose.......sexist of Obama not to comdem it. Also remember that Obama pays women in his staff 17% less than men in his staff doing the same thing while McCain pays women and men equally.

McCain/ Palin

[Chris in Texas]

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. The US has not been a "rural" society since the 1910 census. As of the 2000 census over 80% of the US population lives in urban areas. No matter what John McCain and Sarah Palin say this is not a country of "small towns" anymore. It's time to move on from the myth of "small town values" and face the reality that the future of this country lies in her large cities.

[kristin]

that makes sense , the island is where the rednecks live

[ray]

Comment: I don't think people know what the parties are all about. The Democrats are for the working man. They will get you higher wages, better health care, retirement, and a safer work place. this is done by taxing the rich, who already have high wages, great health care, don't worry about retirement, and haven't worked in years. They beleive the rich should have to pay for all the under classes needs, for using them to get rich. Taxes are a legal way to do this. The problem with this way of thinking is this, who owns the company that you work for? Is he rich? Guess who's going to get taxed the most. Who is going to pay for his taxes? You are, either by not getting your raise or having to take a pay cut, or loosing your job.

Rich people creat jobs every time they build something, or start a new company. If they are going to be taxed to the hilt, they will just leave thier money where it is and try to save as much as they can. The Republicans give tax breaks to these rich, money hungry, capitalist pigs. Why? They tell the rich man, "We'll give you a tax break, if you build a new factory. You can enjoy the tax break for 5 years, plus all the profit." The rich man builds the factory and employes hundreds of people for years to come. It's great to have the higher pay, health care and safe work place that the Democrats want us to have, but if I don't have a job, it don't mean much. If Obama was a Republican, I'd vote for him, I need a job and am smart enough to know that the goverment can't employ us all.

[Monica]

I live on the coastal california there are plenty of people voting for McCain

[Wake up and smell the Latte.]

kristin: "The Democrats are for the working man" that's just the banner used since depression times....The Democratic party was began by a Murderous Outlaw, who was dismissed by the Republican party for crossing state lines to hang his runaway slaves. it's creation was of less than noble ideals, and has not budged from that position ever since.

soupyet: fortunately some California voters come from those small towns all across America, and dismiss you jaded opions, as well as your lack of knowledge where real America comes from?.

Today a man stands along a California Highway with a gun and an American Flag....I shudder to think that many middle and upper class Obama voters will dare cast a vote for violence in the streets, as distruaght Americans, resort to violence to save this country after the "Media Party" sacrifices American values for media generated 'truths" to up the bottom line of their paycheck.

[thomas smith]

hi my name is thomas i hope another canadate wins