Political Scorecard

17 days to go before Californians go to the polls

THE GOVERNOR’S RACE

* What Happened Friday: Republican Gov. Pete Wilson visited the National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. yard in San Diego to discuss his job creation programs. Democratic nominee Kathleen Brown held a news conference at De Anza Community College in Cupertino to discuss the need to provide California industry with skilled workers through an improved education system.

* What’s Ahead: President Clinton is scheduled to address a fund-raising dinner in San Francisco for Brown tonight. Wilson plans to discuss public safety during appearances in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

THE SENATE RACE

* What Happened Friday: Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, addressing the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, announced her opposition to Proposition 187, the ballot initiative that seeks to cut off public services to illegal immigrants. Republican Rep. Mike Huffington, continuing his bus tour to Hemet and Orange County, spoke out in support of the measure.

* What’s Ahead: Feinstein planned to join President Clinton in Belmont, where the President will sign legislation sponsored by Feinstein for zero tolerance of guns in schools. Feinstein planned to visit the Mexico-U.S. border near San Diego this evening. Huffington continues his bus tour to GOP offices throughout Orange County on Volunteer Mobilization Day.

NOTABLE QUOTES

“Iwill not support Proposition 187. I know that this could cost me votes, possibly even the election. . . . But I believe Proposition 187 won’t solve the problem. It’ll only make it worse.”

--Sen. Dianne Feinstein, in a speech to the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco, announcing her opposition to Proposition 187

THE POLL

A poll sponsored by the San Francisco Examiner and television stations KNBC in Los Angeles and KCRA in Sacramento had Republican Gov. Wilson leading Democratic state Treasurer Brown by 48% to 43% among registered voters. Two weeks ago, a poll done by the same firm--Political/Media Research Inc. of Washington--had Wilson leading 47% to 42%. A KCBS-TV poll had Wilson leading Brown 50% to 37% among 1,000 likely voters.