Californians Say "No," But Not With Conviction

The headline in the front section of today's San Francisco Chronicle reads "CALIFORNIANS SAY NO TO SCHWARZENEGGER". No doubt, the headline would be shorter if Arnold's last name were Schmidt.

But I digress.

With 77% of precints reporting, at deadline this is the breakdown:

Prop. 73 (Parental notfication before a minor female could have an abortion):
Yes: 48.9% No: 51.1%

Prop. 74 (Extend the probationary period for teachers):
Yes: 46.6% No: 53.4%

Prop. 75 (Would require public sector union members to opt in before dues used for political purposes):
Yes: 48.8% No: 51.2%

Prop. 76 (Would give the governor new budget powers):
Yes: 39.6% No: 60.4%

Prop. 77 (Would take redistricting away from legislators):
Yes: 42.3% No: 57.7%

These are the four propositions Gov. Schwarzenegger proposed. According to the Chronicle: "The resounding defeat of the governor's self-styled reform effort leaves him weakened as he heads into his 2006 re-election campaign and forced to deal with a Democratic majority in the Legislature pumped up by Tuesday's victories."

Excuse me, Mr. Editor? With the exception of Prop. 76 and possibly Prop. 77, the others are still rather close to call, especially since 23% of the precints haven't reported in and the absentee ballots haven't been counted yet. In fact, barely two percentage points separate the Yays and the Nays in Prop. 73 and 75. Six percentage points separate the Yays and the Nays for Prop 77.

In fact, the Nays are stronger in rejecting both discount prescription drug programs and the proposed reregulation of the electricity market. Especially the reregulation of the electricity market (Yes: 34%; No: 66%)

But the final percentages won't matter to the Dems. They won't look at the fact that, in a heavily Democratic, highly unionized state, there is a large part of the population who does not agree with their agenda. They ignore those voices at their own peril.