Prospects Appear Dim for Initiatives In California

[Judi Lynn]

Prospects Appear Dim for Initiatives In California Race
Response Reflects Governor's Woes; Ohio Votes on Redistricting Proposal

By John Pomfret and David S. Broder
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, November 6, 2005; Page A04

LOS ANGELES

~snip~
Schwarzenegger is backing four out of eight initiatives on the ballot Tuesday in a state that since 1911 has used initiatives as an end-run around its legislature. If approved, the measures would give Schwarzenegger an enormous boost, granting him the power to cut the state's budget unilaterally and hobbling his biggest foe, organized labor.

But three recent polls, by the Public Policy Institute of California, the Field Research Corporation and the Los Angeles Times, seem to suggest that the governor is headed for a political Judgment Day. Of the four ballot measures Schwarzenegger is backing, only one -- the weakest in terms of policy consequences -- seems primed to pass, according to the polls.

Among those trailing is a measure that would strip the authority from the Democratic-controlled legislature to draw lines for legislative and congressional districts, and shift it to a panel of retired judges.

In Ohio, an initiative to strip power to draw districts from a Republican-controlled board of elected officials, in favor of a bipartisan citizens commission, is also on the ballot. As in California, it is struggling.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/05/AR2005110501343.html?nav=rss_politics

[wtmusic]

1. I can't believe this

I might actually be on the winning side in this election. Hallelujah.

[AndyTiedye]

2. I Felt a Similar bit of Irrational Exhuberance Last Year

Polls showed Kerry ahead, exit polls showed he won...

Then they flashed that picture of our royal family on the TV
and all the numbers started changing. :grr::grr::grr:

[Merlot]

3. I'm concerned these "stories" will convince people it's a done deal

and they won't bother to vote.

And I think the machines will be rigged again.

I don't trust these people, and I SO badly want to see arnie go down.


In 2004 on election night I was at democratic headquarters . I find that volunteering keeps my nerves at bay. At one point it looked like kerry was winning, and one lady got up and started dancing and getting all excited. Then she noticed that the rest of us weren't. Because we weren't going to get excited to soon...unfortuantly we were right. ; (