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| | CaliforniaRepublic.org |
 | | Although Jones, a former assemblyman, California secretary of state and 2002 gubernatorial primary candidate, handily defeated his closest rival in the March 2 primary, he was held to less than 50 percent of the vote despite the advantage of name recognition and the backing of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Govs. |
 | | While Jones was the choice of 44 percent of GOP voters, Rosario Marin, former treasurer in the current Bush administration, surprised pundits by finishing with a little over 20 percent despite polls that consistently had her around 9 percent. |
 | | Jones is not exactly Bush's favorite candidate, and, if it looks like Boxer is headed for a third term, it could be decided that national campaign funds are better spent in Illinois, Oklahoma, Colorado and Alaska, where Senate races are more competitive and where the Democrats are aiming to pick up Republican seats. |
| www.theonerepublic.com /archives/Columns/Gamble/20040317GambleAdvantage.html (684 words) |
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