SAN FRANCISCO - A new Field Poll released Wednesday shows that should U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein decide to run for governor in 2010 she would begin the race enjoying some decided advantages.

The survey shows that Feinstein enjoys the highest amount of name recognition and that among all voters polled, she received a 50 percent "favorable" rating and an even higher 70 percent favorable rating among Democrats.

The poll surveyed voters on the five other California Democratic leaders who have either publicly announced an interest in succeeding Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010 or who are thought to be considering such a run.

In descending order of "favorable" ratings amongst all voters surveyed and favorables specifically amongst Democratic voters, the poll showed the current Attorney General and former governor Jerry Brown followed Feinstein.

The poll showed that amongst all voters surveyed Brown scored a 34 percent overall favorable rating and a 46 percent favorable rating amongst Democrats. 

Dropping beneath Brown was Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and state Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell.

The poll also examined three possible 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidates -- former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, former Congressman Tom Campbell and Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. The survey revealed that among the three Whitman enjoyed a slight lead in favorables among both Republican and Democratic respondents.

The poll surveyed 527 registered voters in California between Oct. 18-28, 2008. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.