Democrats for Arnold?

California's recall election was bad news for Democrats in more ways that one.

Not only did Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger manage to take control of the statehouse, but both he and conservative Tom McClintock drew unprecedented support from key Democratic voting blocs.

Nationwide, more than 90 percent of African-Americans voted for Al Gore in 2000. But two years later, according to a Zogby survey, 23 percent of black Californians backed a Republican in the recall race [17 percent for Arnold, 6 percent for McClintock.]

Worse still for Dems, nearly 40 percent of Hispanics voted for either Arnold or McClintock, who garnered 30 percent and 9 percent, respectively.

Union members, whose leaders are assiduously courted by Democratic Party leaders, abandoned Democrats Gray Davis and Cruz Bustamante in droves, with half the unionized electorate backing one of the two Republicans.

Questioned about the results by TownHall.com columnist Donald Lambro, pollster John Zogby said, "Democrats ought to pay attention to these numbers because the unthinkable has happened."

Joseph Crane contributed to this report.

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