Poll: Palin Is Poison to California Voters

Sarah Palin's coming to town, but she won't have much company.

Both major female Republican candidates for state office have avoided having anything to do with the unemployed former governor. More than half of California voters dislike Palin, and are less likely to vote for any candidate she endorses, according to polls.

"More than half of voters in this state (53 percent) say Palin’s endorsement would make them less inclined to vote for the candidate, while just 21 percemt indicated they would be more inclined to back the candidate," the study says. "Another one in four (26 percent) say her endorsement would have no effect on their voting decision."

No effect? Who are these people, and how do they breathe with their heads so far down in the sand?

Whitman and Fiorina have heeded that data and have scrupulously avoided any connection to Palin. That's a change from earlier this year, when Fiorina and Palin were all chummy after the Republican primary. Fiorina worked on the failed McCain/Palin campaign in 2008.

Palin will be in San Jose on Oct. 14 to help the Republicans. At least, that's the plan -- whether it helps or hurts remains to be seen.