 In early November, former President Bill Clinton stumped for McNerney; President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush both campaigned for Pombo in the last month before the election.In September, the Rothenberg Political report changed its evaluation of the race from "Republican safe" to "Republican favored".On October 3, 2006 a poll commissioned by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund was released that showed McNerney leading Pombo 48 percent to 46 percent.