Feb. 08--Unless a surprise GOP candidate emerges, the U.S. Senate race in California will mark the third straight election with the party's top-of-the-ticket state candidate given virtually no chance of victory, even by fellow Republicans.
The dearth of candidates able to raise enough money to fuel a competitive bid is a reminder of how far the party has fallen in the state that gave rise to Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon.
"I would love to say a Republican has a really decent chance," said GOP strategist Beth Miller. "But right now, given what the political landscape looks like in California, it will be an uphill battle for any Republican."
