According to the latest poll, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) is in a statistical dead heat (47%-44%) against her Republican challenger, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. The poll of likely voters also found Ms. Boxer's job approval rating dipping to its lowest level of her Senate career with 48 percent disapproving and 42 percent approving of her performance. (source)

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As if that weren't enough bad news for the beleaguered senator, Vice President Joe Biden is on his way to help her. As so many races across the country have become referendums on President Barack Obama, his administration and his far-left agenda, incumbents may find it difficult to distance themselves in time for the November elections. But Ms. Boxer doesn't even seem to be trying. The more she appears with the president and his surrogates, the lower her poll numbers drop.

Mr. Obama has already made appearances at two Boxer fundraisers in California this year and just this week she traveled the state reminding voters of her strong and continued support of his $862 billion non-stimulating stimulus bill. (source)

Meanwhile her opponent is gaining ground by pointing out the connection between Senator Boxer's efforts and California's bleak economic outlook. In a recent meeting with reporters, Ms. Fiorina blamed the senator for supporting federal policies such as taxes and regulations that she said have created a hostile climate for business in the state, driving away the timber industry to protect the spotted owl, and now agriculture with water restrictions to protect the delta smelt. (source)

Upon the release of today's poll, Fiorina spokeswoman Julie Soderlund issued a statement saying the results "prove that California voters are ready to fire Barbara Boxer." (source)

And a grateful nation will applaud them for that.