[dllthomas]

"Republicans are more likely to nominate a candidate that is broadly appealing" is a reasonable theory, and to the degree that this dynamic dominates it's true that it would lend the Republicans more of a chance; if that's enough to make a difference, the Republicans should indeed focus on their own candidate. The one data point we have so far lost 38-61.

"As a California Democrat, I'd love it if Republicans followed your plan, because I'd like nothing more than a D v. D general election."

That's precisely why it might work. Democrats should like it for the reason you specified; Republicans should like it if there is someone they prefer to Feinstein. If enough of both get on board, it happens.

[dllthomas]

Note also that it doesn't necessarily take Republican involvement - that just helps. If every Democrat who was going to vote for Feinstein had instead flipped a coin, and voted for her on a heads and some particular other Dem on a tails, it would have been Dem vs. Dem in 2012.