California Gubernatorial Election, 2010

[The Duke]

Jack O'Connell and Bill Lockyer have to on the list of Democratic candidates.  Carly Fiorina has talked about running for Governor on the Republican side.  I'd rank the candidates as follows:

Democratic
First Tier
Antonio Villaraigosa
Jack O'Connell
Bill Lockyer
Second Tier
Jerry Brown
Steve Westly
Third Tier]
Lorretta Sanchez
Gavin Newsome
Fabian Nunez
John Garamendi
Phil Angelides
Cruz Bustamante

Republican
First Tier
Christopher Cox
Tom McClintock
Steve Poizner
Second Tier
Darell Issa
Bruce McPherson
Third Tier
Carly Firorina
Jerry Sanders
Dick Ackerman

The Democrat will be favored in the General Election, though the Republican will have a pretty good shot at it.  Memories of Gray Davis are bitter, and the state will not elect a Democrat to the Governoship if they don't believe that person can keep in check the crazier instincts of the legislature.

[The Duke]

How liberal is Steve Poizner exactly? I know he is a very liberal Republican but how liberal is he really?

He is pro choice, tends to favor environmental protections, and backs domestic partnerships for gays.  He's more fiscally conservative than Arnold.